How To Fix M3718 - A serial number profile has already been maintained for the material

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: M3 - Material Master

• Message number: 718

• Message text: A serial number profile has already been maintained for the material

What causes this issue?

You have specified a valuation category. However, a serial number
profile has already been entered for this material.
Note:
If valuation is at company code level in your system, a serial
number profile may not be specified in any plant belonging to the
current company code.

System Response

If you want to manage serial number profiles, split valuation is not
possible.

How to fix this error?

Please reset the valuation category or the serial number profile.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message M3718 - A serial number profile has already been maintained for the material ?

  The SAP error message M3718, which states "A serial number profile has already been maintained for the material," typically occurs when you attempt to assign a serial number profile to a material that already has one assigned. This can happen in various scenarios, such as when creating or changing material master data or during the processing of goods movements.
  Cause:
  
  Existing Serial Number Profile: The material in question already has a serial number profile assigned to it in the material master data.
  Data Entry Error: There may be an attempt to assign a new serial number profile without removing the existing one.
  Configuration Issues: The system may be configured in a way that does not allow changes to the serial number profile once it has been set.
  
  Solution:
  
  
  Check Material Master Data:
  
  Go to the material master record (transaction code MM03) and check the "Basic Data" or "Sales" views to see if a serial number profile is already assigned.
  If you need to change the serial number profile, you will first need to remove the existing one.
  
  
  
  Remove Existing Serial Number Profile:
  
  If you need to change the serial number profile, you can do this by going to the material master (transaction code MM02) and navigating to the relevant view where the serial number profile is set. Remove the existing profile before assigning a new one.
  
  
  
  Consult with Configuration Team:
  
  If you are unsure about the implications of changing the serial number profile, consult with your SAP configuration team or a functional consultant. They can provide guidance on the best practices and any potential impacts on inventory management or tracking.
  
  
  
  Check for Dependencies:
  
  Ensure that there are no open transactions or dependencies that might prevent the change of the serial number profile. For example, if there are existing stock items that have already been assigned serial numbers, you may need to handle those before making changes.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Serial Number Management: Understand how serial number management works in SAP, including how profiles are created and assigned.
  Material Master Views: Familiarize yourself with the different views in the material master that relate to serial number management.
  SAP Documentation: Refer to SAP Help documentation for detailed information on serial number profiles and their configuration.
  Transaction Codes: Common transaction codes related to material master management include:
  
  MM01: Create Material
  MM02: Change Material
  MM03: Display Material
  
  
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the M3718 error and manage serial number profiles effectively in SAP.