How To Fix MA168 - Number characteristics in the desired order

MA168 - Overview

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: MA - Sales and Operations Planning

• Message number: 168

• Message text: Number characteristics in the desired order

What causes this issue?

You have numbered the desired characteristics incorrectly.

System Response

The system issues an error message and will not allow you to continue with this transaction until the error is resolved.

How to fix this error?

Number the characteristics sequentially from 1 to 6, in the order in
which you want to display them.
Example
The characteristics are sales organiziation, distribution channel,
material, and plant. In the header, you want to see first the sales
organization and then the plant. You enter a '1' next to sales
organization and a '2' next to plant. You leave the other fields blank.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message MA168 - Number characteristics in the desired order ?

  The SAP error message MA168, which states "Number characteristics in the desired order," typically occurs in the context of material master data management, particularly when dealing with number ranges or characteristics that are not aligned as expected.
  
  Cause:
  This error usually arises when there is a mismatch or inconsistency in the number characteristics defined for a material or when the system is unable to process the number characteristics in the order they are expected. Common causes include:
  
  Incorrect Number Range Configuration: The number ranges for material types may not be properly defined or may overlap.
  Missing Characteristics: Required characteristics for a material type may not be defined or are missing.
  Data Entry Issues: The data entered for the material master may not conform to the expected format or sequence.
  Custom Enhancements: Custom code or enhancements may interfere with the standard processing of number characteristics.
  
  
  Solution:
  To resolve the MA168 error, you can take the following steps:
  
  
  Check Number Range