How To Fix ME301 - System error: field for unit neither 3 nor 6 characters long

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: ME - Purchasing: General Messages

• Message number: 301

• Message text: System error: field for unit neither 3 nor 6 characters long

What causes this issue?

The description for the external unit of measurement is not defined in
table T006B or T006C in the specified language.

How to fix this error?

INCLUDE NA_SYSADMIN1 LANGUAGE EN

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message ME301 - System error: field for unit neither 3 nor 6 characters long ?

  The SAP error message ME301, which states "System error: field for unit neither 3 nor 6 characters long," typically occurs in the context of materials management, particularly when dealing with units of measure in purchasing documents or material master records.
  Cause:
  This error is usually caused by an issue with the unit of measure (UoM) being used in a transaction. Specifically, it indicates that the unit of measure field is not formatted correctly. In SAP, units of measure are expected to be either 3 or 6 characters long. If the unit of measure being entered is shorter than 3 characters or longer than 6 characters, this error will be triggered.
  Solution:
  To resolve this error, you can take the following steps:
  
  
  Check the Unit of Measure:
  
  Verify the unit of measure being used in the transaction. Ensure that it is either 3 or 6 characters long.
  Common units of measure include "EA" (each), "KG" (kilogram), "MTR" (meter), etc. Make sure that the unit you are using conforms to these standards.
  
  
  
  Review Material Master Data:
  
  If the error occurs while processing a material, check the material master data (transaction code MM03) to ensure that the unit of measure is correctly defined.
  Navigate to the "Basic Data" or "Purchasing" views and confirm that the units of measure are set up correctly.
  
  
  
  Check Customizations:
  
  If your organization has customized units of measure, ensure that these custom units are defined correctly in the system and adhere to the character length requirements.
  
  
  
  Transaction Data:
  
  If the error occurs during a specific transaction (like creating a purchase order), review the data being entered. Ensure that all fields related to the unit of measure are filled out correctly.
  
  
  
  Consult Documentation:
  
  If you are unsure about the correct units of measure to use, refer to your organization's documentation or consult with a colleague who is knowledgeable about the materials management processes.
  
  
  
  SAP Notes and Support:
  
  If the issue persists, consider checking SAP Notes for any known issues or patches related to this error. You can also reach out to SAP support for further assistance.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Unit of Measure Configuration: Units of measure can be configured in SAP through transaction code OME1 (for defining units of measure) and OME2 (for defining conversion factors).
  Material Master: The material master is a central repository of information related to materials in SAP. It is crucial to ensure that all relevant data, including units of measure, is accurate and up to date.
  Error Handling: Familiarize yourself with common error messages in SAP and their resolutions to improve efficiency in troubleshooting.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to identify and correct the issue causing the ME301 error in SAP.