How To Fix MA517 - Info structure & does not contain the characteristic "material number"

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: MA - Sales and Operations Planning

• Message number: 517

• Message text: Info structure & does not contain the characteristic "material number"

What causes this issue?

You have specified an information structure which does not contain
"material" as one of its characteristics.

System Response

The system creates a product group sales plan by aggregating the
planned quantities of the materials which are members of this product
group. No planning data for your materials can be copied from this
information structure because no such data exists.

How to fix this error?

Choose an information structure that contains "material" as one of its
characteristics.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message MA517 - Info structure & does not contain the characteristic "material number" ?

  The SAP error message MA517 indicates that the info structure you are trying to use does not contain the characteristic "material number." This typically occurs in the context of reporting or analysis where the system expects certain characteristics to be present in the info structure for the data to be processed correctly.
  Cause:
  
  Missing Characteristic: The info structure you are using does not have the "material number" characteristic defined. This can happen if the info structure was not set up correctly or if it was modified after the initial setup.
  Incorrect Info Structure: You may be using the wrong info structure for your reporting needs, which does not include the required characteristics.
  Data Source Issues: The data source from which the info structure is pulling data may not be configured to include the material number.
  
  Solution:
  
  
  Check Info Structure Configuration:
  
  Go to the transaction code SIS (Sales Information System) or MC22 (Change Info Structure).
  Verify the characteristics defined in the info structure you are using. Ensure that "material number" is included as a characteristic.
  If it is missing, you may need to add it to the info structure. This typically requires administrative access and knowledge of the data model.
  
  
  
  Use the Correct Info Structure:
  
  If you are using the wrong info structure, identify the correct one that includes the "material number" characteristic. You can refer to documentation or consult with your SAP functional team to find the appropriate info structure.
  
  
  
  Rebuild or Adjust the Info Structure:
  
  If the info structure needs to be rebuilt or adjusted, you may need to delete and recreate it or modify its characteristics. This should be done with caution and ideally in a development environment first.
  
  
  
  Check Data Sources:
  
  Ensure that the data sources feeding into the info structure are correctly configured to include the material number. This may involve checking the underlying tables or data extraction processes.
  
  
  
  Consult Documentation:
  
  Review SAP documentation or help resources related to the specific info structure you are working with. This can provide insights into the expected characteristics and how to configure them.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes such as MC22 (Change Info Structure), MC21 (Create Info Structure), and SIS (Sales Information System).
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any known issues or updates related to the specific info structure you are using.
  User Roles: Ensure that you have the necessary permissions to make changes to info structures and characteristics in your SAP environment.
  Testing: After making changes, always test the info structure to ensure that it now includes the material number and that reports or analyses run without errors.
  
  If you continue to experience issues, it may be beneficial to engage with your SAP support team or a consultant who specializes in SAP reporting and info structures.