How To Fix MGVNUM021 - Material number cannot have & as its 18th character

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: MGVNUM - Messages for material versions

• Message number: 021

• Message text: Material number cannot have & as its 18th character

What causes this issue?

The material number cannot have a <(>&<)> as the 18th digit/character.

System Response

You want to create a material number whose 18th character/digit is a "".
This is not technically possible.

How to fix this error?

The system rejects this.

Procedure for System Administrators

Change your material number accordingly.

The system issues an error message and will not allow you to continue with this transaction until the error is resolved.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message MGVNUM021 - Material number cannot have & as its 18th character ?

  The SAP error message MGVNUM021 indicates that the material number you are trying to use has an invalid character in the 18th position. Specifically, the character '&' is not allowed in that position of the material number.
  Cause:
  In SAP, material numbers are typically defined with specific rules regarding their format. The 18th character of a material number must adhere to certain constraints, and the presence of the '&' character violates these rules. This restriction is in place to ensure consistency and compatibility within the system, especially when it comes to data processing and integration with other systems.
  Solution:
  To resolve this error, you need to modify the material number so that the 18th character is not '&'. Here are the steps you can take:
  
  Identify the Material Number: Determine which material number is causing the error.
  Check the Format: Review the material number to see what the 18th character is and replace it with a valid character.
  Update the Material Number: If you have the necessary permissions, you can update the material number directly in the relevant transaction (e.g., MM01 for creating materials, MM02 for changing materials).
  Validation: Ensure that the new material number adheres to the defined format and does not contain any invalid characters in any of its positions.
  
  Related Information:
  
  Material Number Format: Familiarize yourself with the specific format rules for material numbers in your SAP system. This may include length, allowed characters, and any other constraints.
  SAP Documentation: Refer to SAP's official documentation or help resources for more details on material number configuration and restrictions.
  User Permissions: Ensure you have the necessary permissions to make changes to material numbers. If not, you may need to contact your SAP administrator or relevant personnel.
  Testing: After making changes, test the new material number in the relevant transactions to ensure that it works as expected without triggering any further errors.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the MGVNUM021 error and successfully use the material number in your SAP system.