How To Fix MA357 - Check for unplanned characteristics is switched off in Customizing

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: MA - Sales and Operations Planning

• Message number: 357

• Message text: Check for unplanned characteristics is switched off in Customizing

Self-Explanatory Message

Since SAP believes that this specific error message is 'self-explanatory,' no more information has been given.The majority of messages in the SAP system have a message text, however this is frequently insufficient to comprehend or resolve the problem.

To make things easier, more detailed information is frequently added to describe the issue, how to fix it, and the necessary steps or configuration modifications.

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message MA357 - Check for unplanned characteristics is switched off in Customizing ?

  The SAP error message MA357, which states "Check for unplanned characteristics is switched off in Customizing," typically occurs in the context of Material Management (MM) or Production Planning (PP) when dealing with characteristics and classification in SAP.
  Cause:
  This error message indicates that the system is configured not to check for unplanned characteristics during certain operations, such as when creating or changing a material or production order. Unplanned characteristics are those that are not predefined in the material master or classification system but may be relevant for specific processes.
  Solution:
  To resolve this error, you can follow these steps:
  
  
  Check Customizing Settings:
  
  Go to the SAP Customizing Implementation Guide (IMG).
  Navigate to the relevant section for Material Management or Production Planning.
  Look for the settings related to "Unplanned Characteristics" or "Characteristic Check."
  Ensure that the option to check for unplanned characteristics is enabled.
  
  
  
  Adjust Material Master or Classifications:
  
  If the error occurs while working with a specific material, check the material master data to ensure that all necessary characteristics are defined.
  If you need to add unplanned characteristics, you may need to adjust the classification settings for that material.
  
  
  
  Consult Documentation:
  
  Review SAP documentation or help files related to the specific module you are working with. This can provide additional insights into how unplanned characteristics are handled.
  
  
  
  User Authorization:
  
  Ensure that you have the necessary authorizations to make changes in the Customizing settings. If not, contact your SAP administrator.
  
  
  
  Testing:
  
  After making changes, test the process again to ensure that the error is resolved.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Notes: Check for any relevant SAP Notes that might address this specific error or provide additional guidance.
  SAP Community: Engage with the SAP Community forums to see if other users have encountered similar issues and what solutions they have found.
  Training and Documentation: Consider reviewing training materials or documentation related to Material Management and Production Planning to better understand how characteristics and classifications work in SAP.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to address the MA357 error and ensure that your SAP system is configured correctly for handling unplanned characteristics.