How To Fix MK061 - Material or characteristic contains initialization character

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: MK - Mass Handling in the Material Master

• Message number: 061

• Message text: Material or characteristic contains initialization character

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.

Unfortunately, there isn't any extra information in this error notice.

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message MK061 - Material or characteristic contains initialization character ?

  The SAP error message MK061, which states "Material or characteristic contains initialization character," typically occurs when there is an issue with the data being processed in the system, particularly related to materials or characteristics in the context of classification.
  Cause:
  The error is usually caused by one of the following reasons:
  
  Initialization Characters: The material number or characteristic name contains initialization characters (like leading spaces or special characters) that are not allowed in SAP.
  Incorrect Data Entry: The data entered for the material or characteristic may not conform to the expected format or standards defined in the system.
  Data Migration Issues: If data has been migrated from another system, it may contain invalid characters that SAP does not recognize.
  
  Solution:
  To resolve the MK061 error, you can take the following steps:
  
  
  Check Material/Characteristic Data:
  
  Go to the material master or characteristic definition in SAP.
  Ensure that there are no leading or trailing spaces, special characters, or any initialization characters in the material number or characteristic name.
  
  
  
  Correct Data Entry:
  
  If you find any invalid characters, correct them by removing or replacing them with valid characters.
  Ensure that the material number and characteristic names adhere to the naming conventions and formats defined in your SAP system.
  
  
  
  Data Validation:
  
  Use transaction codes like MM02 (Change Material) or CL02 (Change Characteristic) to validate and modify the entries.
  You can also use transaction SE11 to check the data dictionary for the material and characteristic definitions.
  
  
  
  Re-upload Data:
  
  If the error occurred during a data upload (e.g., using LSMW or BAPIs), ensure that the source data is cleaned and validated before re-uploading.
  
  
  
  Consult Documentation:
  
  Review SAP documentation or help files related to material management and classification to understand the valid formats and constraints.
  
  
  
  Contact SAP Support:
  
  If the issue persists after checking and correcting the data, consider reaching out to SAP support for further assistance.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: MM02 (Change Material), CL02 (Change Characteristic), SE11 (Data Dictionary).
  SAP Notes: Check for any relevant SAP Notes that might address this specific error or provide additional guidance.
  Data Migration Tools: If you are migrating data, ensure that the tools you are using are configured correctly to handle the data formats expected by SAP.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to identify and resolve the MK061 error in your SAP system.