How To Fix MH085 - You must define at least one variant-creating characteristic

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

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

• Message number: 085

• Message text: You must define at least one variant-creating characteristic

What causes this issue?

You have assigned the material to a class or to a characteristics
profile that does not have a variant-creating characteristic. However,
to create a generic material, the class or characteristics profile must
have at least one variant-creating characteristic.

System Response

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

How to fix this error?

When maintaining the material groups, identify at least one
characteristic as a variant-creating characteristic.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message MH085 - You must define at least one variant-creating characteristic ?

  The SAP error message MH085, which states "You must define at least one variant-creating characteristic," typically occurs in the context of variant configuration in SAP. This error indicates that the system requires at least one characteristic to be defined for a variant configuration model, which is essential for creating and managing product variants.
  Cause:
  
  Missing Characteristics: The configuration model does not have any characteristics defined that can be used to create variants.
  Incorrect Configuration: The configuration settings may not have been set up correctly, leading to the absence of variant-creating characteristics.
  Incomplete Master Data: The material master or configuration profile may not have been fully defined, lacking necessary characteristics.
  
  Solution:
  To resolve the MH085 error, you can follow these steps:
  
  
  Define Variant-Creating Characteristics:
  
  Go to the configuration profile of the material in question.
  Navigate to the "Characteristics" section.
  Ensure that at least one characteristic is marked as a variant-creating characteristic. This can be done by selecting the characteristic and checking the appropriate settings.
  
  
  
  Check Material Master Data:
  
  Ensure that the material master for the product is correctly set up.
  Go to the material master (transaction code MM02) and check the "Basic Data" and "Sales: Sales Org. Data" views to ensure all necessary data is filled in.
  
  
  
  Review Configuration Profile:
  
  Access the configuration profile (transaction code CU41 or CU42).
  Verify that the profile is correctly linked to the material and that it includes the necessary characteristics.
  
  
  
  Create Characteristics if Necessary:
  
  If no characteristics exist, you may need to create new ones (transaction code CT04).
  Define the characteristics and ensure they are assigned to the appropriate class.
  
  
  
  Assign Characteristics to Class:
  
  If you are using classes to group characteristics, ensure that the characteristics are assigned to the correct class (transaction code CL02).
  
  
  
  Test Configuration:
  
  After making the necessary changes, test the configuration again to ensure that the error is resolved.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  
  Transaction Codes:
  
  CT04: Create/Change Characteristics
  CL02: Change Class
  CU41/CU42: Create/Change Configuration Profile
  MM02: Change Material Master
  
  
  
  Documentation: Refer to SAP Help documentation for detailed guidance on variant configuration and characteristics.
  
  
  SAP Notes: Check for any relevant SAP Notes that may address specific issues related to variant configuration and error MH085.
  
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the error and successfully define variant-creating characteristics for your configuration model.