How To Fix ME016 - Item category & not defined (please check your input)

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: ME - Purchasing: General Messages

• Message number: 016

• Message text: Item category & not defined (please check your input)

What causes this issue?

The <GL:item_category>item category</> you entered has not been defined
in the system.

How to fix this error?

INCLUDE EINGABE_PRUEFEN_NA LANGUAGE EN
INCLUDE SYSADMIN_NA LANGUAGE EN

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message ME016 - Item category & not defined (please check your input) ?

  The SAP error message ME016 ("Item category & not defined (please check your input)") typically occurs in the context of purchasing documents, such as purchase orders or purchase requisitions. This error indicates that the item category specified in the document is not recognized or defined in the system.
  Cause:
  
  Incorrect Item Category: The item category specified in the purchasing document does not exist in the system or is misspelled.
  Configuration Issues: The item category may not be configured properly in the system. This could be due to missing settings in the configuration for purchasing.
  Master Data Issues: The material master or vendor master data may not be set up correctly, leading to the item category not being recognized.
  Document Type Issues: The document type being used may not support the specified item category.
  
  Solution:
  
  
  Check Item Category: Verify that the item category you are trying to use is valid. You can check the allowed item categories in the configuration settings or by using transaction codes like OMD1 (for item category determination).
  
  
  Configuration Settings: 
  
  Go to the configuration settings for purchasing (transaction code SPRO).
  Navigate to Materials Management > Purchasing > Purchase Order > Define Item Categories.
  Ensure that the item category you are trying to use is defined and configured correctly.
  
  
  
  Material and Vendor Master Data: 
  
  Check the material master data (transaction code MM03) to ensure that the item category is appropriate for the material.
  Check the vendor master data (transaction code XK03) to ensure that the vendor is set up correctly for the item category.
  
  
  
  Document Type: Ensure that the document type you are using allows for the specified item category. You can check this in the configuration settings for document types.
  
  
  Consult Documentation: If you are unsure about the item categories and their configurations, refer to SAP documentation or consult with your SAP functional consultant.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Item Categories: Item categories in SAP determine how items are processed in purchasing documents. Common item categories include standard items (e.g., "Standard" - item category 'N'), consignment items, subcontracting items, etc.
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes such as ME21N (Create Purchase Order), ME22N (Change Purchase Order), and ME23N (Display Purchase Order) to troubleshoot the issue.
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any known issues or patches related to the error message ME016.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to identify the cause of the error and implement the necessary corrections to resolve it.