How To Fix /SAPAPO/INC_DP020 - The location characteristic does not exist for the planning area

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: /SAPAPO/INC_DP -

• Message number: 020

• Message text: The location characteristic does not exist for the planning area

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.

What else can you do?

First, use our AnswerBot below to get a possible cause and solution (requires a premium subscription).

Also, review the in-depth Common Questions & Answers listed below; you could discover a solution there or be able to connect with others who have faced similar challenges.

You can also try searching the SAP support portal (support.sap.com) but you need a special user ID to access it. It is possible that an SAP support note exists that provides additional details about the mistake or even steps for fixing it.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message /SAPAPO/INC_DP020 - The location characteristic does not exist for the planning area ?

  The SAP error message /SAPAPO/INC_DP020 indicates that the location characteristic does not exist for the specified planning area in the SAP Advanced Planning and Optimization (APO) module. This error typically arises when there is a mismatch or misconfiguration in the planning area settings or when the location characteristic is not properly defined.
  Cause:
  
  Missing Location Characteristic: The location characteristic that is being referenced in the planning area does not exist or has not been defined in the system.
  Incorrect Planning Area Configuration: The planning area may not be configured to include the necessary location characteristics.
  Data Model Issues: There may be issues with the data model or master data that prevent the system from recognizing the location characteristic.
  Transport Issues: If the planning area was transported from another system, the necessary characteristics may not have been included in the transport.
  
  Solution:
  
  
  Check Planning Area Configuration:
  
  Go to the planning area configuration in the SAP APO system.
  Verify that the location characteristic is defined and included in the planning area.
  If it is missing, you may need to add it to the planning area.
  
  
  
  Define Location Characteristic:
  
  If the location characteristic does not exist, you will need to create it.
  Navigate to the relevant configuration settings in SAP APO and define the location characteristic.
  
  
  
  Review Master Data:
  
  Ensure that the master data for locations is correctly set up and that the location characteristic is assigned to the relevant locations.
  
  
  
  Check Transport Requests:
  
  If the planning area was transported, check the transport requests to ensure that all necessary objects, including characteristics, were included.
  
  
  
  Re-activate Planning Area:
  
  After making changes, you may need to re-activate the planning area to ensure that the changes take effect.
  
  
  
  Consult Documentation:
  
  Refer to SAP documentation or help resources for specific guidance on configuring planning areas and characteristics.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: You may use transaction codes like /SAPAPO/MC62 (for planning area configuration) and /SAPAPO/MC63 (for characteristics) to access the relevant settings.
  SAP Notes: Check for any relevant SAP Notes that may address known issues or provide additional guidance on this error.
  Support: If the issue persists, consider reaching out to SAP support or your internal SAP team for further assistance.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the error message /SAPAPO/INC_DP020 and ensure that the location characteristic is properly configured for your planning area.