How To Fix MDG_BS_MAT_SI021 - A description is already maintained for language &1

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: MDG_BS_MAT_SI - Message Class : Material Replication Services Implementation

• Message number: 021

• Message text: A description is already maintained for language &1

Self-Explanatory Message

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message MDG_BS_MAT_SI021 - A description is already maintained for language &1 ?

  The SAP error message MDG_BS_MAT_SI021 indicates that there is an attempt to create or update a material description in a specific language, but a description for that language already exists in the system. This error typically occurs in the context of Material Master Data Governance (MDG) when you are trying to maintain descriptions for materials.
  Cause:
  The primary cause of this error is that the system has detected that a description for the material in the specified language (denoted by &1 in the error message) is already present in the database. This can happen if:
  
  You are trying to create a new material with a description in a language that already has an existing description.
  You are trying to update a material's description in a language where a description already exists.
  
  Solution:
  To resolve this error, you can take the following steps:
  
  
  Check Existing Descriptions:
  
  Navigate to the Material Master data in SAP and check if a description already exists for the material in the specified language.
  You can do this by using transaction codes like MM03 (Display Material) to view the existing descriptions.
  
  
  
  Modify Existing Description:
  
  If a description already exists and you want to change it, you can update the existing description instead of trying to create a new one. Use transaction MM02 (Change Material) to modify the existing description.
  
  
  
  Use a Different Language:
  
  If you intended to create a new description in a different language, ensure that you are specifying the correct language code and that it does not conflict with existing entries.
  
  
  
  Review Data Governance Rules:
  
  If you are using MDG, check the data governance rules and workflows that might be enforcing constraints on how material descriptions are maintained.
  
  
  
  Consult Documentation:
  
  Review SAP documentation or help resources related to Material Master data management for any specific guidelines or best practices.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes such as MM01 (Create Material), MM02 (Change Material), and MM03 (Display Material).
  Language Keys: Understand how language keys work in SAP and how they are used in material descriptions.
  MDG Configuration: If you are using SAP MDG, ensure that the configuration settings for material governance are correctly set up to handle descriptions in multiple languages.
  
  If the issue persists after following these steps, it may be beneficial to consult with your SAP support team or refer to SAP Notes for any known issues or patches related to this error message.