How To Fix MW320 - Item & not deleted, as dependent items (&) with variants exist

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: MW - Messages IS-R / Allocation Tables

• Message number: 320

• Message text: Item & not deleted, as dependent items (&) with variants exist

What causes this issue?

You want to delete an allocation table item containing a generic
material. The allocation table still contains items (with variants)
that belong to the generic material.

System Response

Allocation table items containing a generic material can only be deleted
if no items have variants referring to the generic material item
(compare higher-level item).

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?

Delete the allocation table item (that is, the variants) referring to
the generic material item.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message MW320 - Item & not deleted, as dependent items (&) with variants exist ?

  The SAP error message MW320 indicates that an item cannot be deleted because there are dependent items (such as variants) associated with it. This typically occurs in the context of material management or inventory management when trying to delete a material or item that has dependencies.
  Cause:
  The error arises when you attempt to delete a material or item that has dependent items, such as:
  
  Variants of the material (e.g., different sizes, colors, or configurations).
  Related components in a bill of materials (BOM).
  Items that are part of a production order or sales order.
  Items that are linked to other master data or transactions.
  
  Solution:
  To resolve the MW320 error, you can follow these steps:
  
  
  Identify Dependent Items:
  
  Use transaction codes like CS03 (Display BOM) or CS12 (BOM for Material) to check if there are any variants or dependent items associated with the material you are trying to delete.
  You can also check for dependent items in the material master data using transaction MM03.
  
  
  
  Delete or Unlink Dependent Items:
  
  If you find dependent items (like variants), you will need to delete or unlink them first before you can delete the main item.
  For variants, you can use transaction MM02 to change the material and delete the variants.
  
  
  
  Check for Open Transactions:
  
  Ensure that there are no open transactions (like sales orders, purchase orders, or production orders) that reference the item. You can check this using transaction codes like VA03 (Display Sales Order) or CO03 (Display Production Order).
  
  
  
  Use the Correct Deletion Method:
  
  If the item is part of a BOM or a production order, you may need to delete or change the BOM or production order first.
  
  
  
  Consult Documentation:
  
  If you are unsure about the dependencies, consult your SAP documentation or reach out to your SAP support team for assistance.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  
  Transaction Codes:
  
  MM03: Display Material
  MM02: Change Material
  CS03: Display BOM
  VA03: Display Sales Order
  CO03: Display Production Order
  
  
  
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any specific issues related to the MW320 error, as there may be updates or patches that address specific scenarios.
  
  
  User Permissions: Ensure that you have the necessary permissions to delete materials and their dependent items.
  
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to identify and resolve the issue causing the MW320 error in SAP.