How To Fix /SAPAPO/ATP420 - Characteristic does not exist

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: /SAPAPO/ATP -

• Message number: 420

• Message text: Characteristic does not exist

Self-Explanatory Message

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message /SAPAPO/ATP420 - Characteristic does not exist ?

  The SAP error message /SAPAPO/ATP420 Characteristic does not exist typically occurs in the context of Advanced Planning and Optimization (APO) when the system is unable to find a specific characteristic that is required for the operation being performed, such as during the availability check or when working with product master data.
  Cause:
  
  Missing Characteristic: The characteristic that is being referenced in the planning or availability check does not exist in the system. This could be due to a configuration issue or a missing entry in the master data.
  Incorrect Configuration: The characteristic may not be properly configured in the relevant planning object or may not be assigned to the product.
  Data Transfer Issues: If data is being transferred from another system (like R/3 to APO), there may have been an issue during the transfer that resulted in missing characteristics.
  Versioning Issues: If you are working with different versions of the product or planning data, the characteristic may exist in one version but not in another.
  
  Solution:
  
  Check Characteristic Definition: Go to the transaction code /SAPAPO/CTM or /SAPAPO/MC62 to check if the characteristic is defined in the system. If it is missing, you may need to create it.
  Verify Product Master Data: Use transaction /SAPAPO/MDP1 to check the product master data and ensure that the required characteristics are assigned to the product.
  Check Configuration: Ensure that the characteristic is correctly configured in the relevant planning object (like the product master or the planning book).
  Data Consistency: If data is being transferred from R/3, ensure that the transfer was successful and that all necessary characteristics were included. You may need to re-run the data transfer or check for errors in the transfer logs.
  Consult Documentation: Review SAP documentation or notes related to the specific version of APO you are using, as there may be known issues or additional configuration steps required.
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes such as /SAPAPO/CTM, /SAPAPO/MDP1, and /SAPAPO/MC62 for checking characteristics and product master data.
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any known issues or patches related to this error message. You can search for notes using the SAP Support Portal.
  User Authorization: Ensure that you have the necessary authorizations to view and modify characteristics and product master data.
  Testing: After making changes, perform tests to ensure that the issue is resolved and that the characteristic is now recognized by the system.
  
  If the problem persists after following these steps, it may be beneficial to consult with your SAP Basis or APO support team for further assistance.