How To Fix MI521 - Screen reference for material type & already exists

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: MI - Customizing for the Material Master

• Message number: 521

• Message text: Screen reference for material type & already exists

Self-Explanatory Message

Since SAP believes that this specific error message is 'self-explanatory,' no more information has been given.The majority of messages in the SAP system have a message text, however this is frequently insufficient to comprehend or resolve the problem.

To make things easier, more detailed information is frequently added to describe the issue, how to fix it, and the necessary steps or configuration modifications.

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message MI521 - Screen reference for material type & already exists ?

  The SAP error message MI521 indicates that there is an attempt to create a screen reference for a material type that already exists in the system. This typically occurs when you are trying to create or modify a material master record, and the system detects that a screen reference for the specified material type has already been defined.
  Cause:
  
  
  Duplicate Screen Reference: The primary cause of this error is that a screen reference for the specified material type has already been created in the system. This can happen if the same material type is being processed multiple times or if there is an attempt to create a new screen reference without first checking for existing ones.
  
  
  Configuration Issues: There may be issues in the configuration settings related to material types or screen references that lead to this error.
  
  
  Solution:
  
  
  Check Existing Screen References: 
  
  Navigate to the relevant transaction (usually in the IMG settings) to check if a screen reference for the material type already exists. You can do this by going to the following path in the SAP Easy Access Menu:
  
  Logistics -> Material Management -> Material Master -> Basic Settings -> Screen Layout -> Define Screen Layout for Material Types.
  
  
  Look for the material type in question and see if a screen reference is already defined.
  
  
  
  Modify or Delete Existing Screen Reference: 
  
  If a screen reference already exists and is not needed, you can modify or delete it as appropriate. Ensure that you have the necessary authorizations to make these changes.
  
  
  
  Create a New Screen Reference: 
  
  If you need to create a new screen reference, ensure that you are using a unique identifier or that you are not duplicating an existing entry.
  
  
  
  Consult Documentation: 
  
  Review SAP documentation or help resources for more detailed guidance on managing screen references and material types.
  
  
  
  Contact SAP Support: 
  
  If the issue persists or if you are unsure about making changes, consider reaching out to SAP support or your internal SAP team for assistance.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes such as MM01 (Create Material), MM02 (Change Material), and MM03 (Display Material) for managing material master records.
  Material Types: Understand the different material types in your organization and their configurations, as this can help in troubleshooting similar issues in the future.
  User Authorizations: Ensure that you have the necessary authorizations to view and modify screen references and material types.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the MI521 error and manage your material types effectively.