How To Fix MH017 - The reference material has a different material type

MH017 - Overview

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: MH - Maintain Material Master Data (Retail)

• Message number: 017

• Message text: The reference material has a different material type

What causes this issue?

The reference material has a different material type than the material
to be created.

System Response

If you have not entered the reference material directly, the reference
material from the <DS:GLOS.material_group>material group</> is used as
the reference material.

How to fix this error?

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.

MH017 - Details

• The SAP error message MH017, which states "The reference material has a different material type," typically occurs in the context of material master data management. This error arises when you attempt to create or change a material that references another material (for example, during the creation of a BOM or when using a reference material in a production order) but the material types of the two materials do not match.
  
  Cause:
  
  Material Type Mismatch: The primary cause of this error is that the material you are trying to create or modify is referencing a material of a different type. For example, you might be trying to reference a finished product material type (like FERT) while the new material is of a raw material type (like ROH).
  
  Configuration Issues: There may be configuration settings in the material type definitions that restrict certain operations between different material types.
  Incorrect Reference: The reference material may not be