How To Fix SD_LISEXC_MSG021 - Distribution channel is required.

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: SD_LISEXC_MSG - Message class for Material Determination maintenance

• Message number: 021

• Message text: Distribution channel is required.

Self-Explanatory Message

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message SD_LISEXC_MSG021 - Distribution channel is required. ?

  The SAP error message SD_LISEXC_MSG021 indicates that a distribution channel is required for the operation you are trying to perform, typically in the context of sales and distribution (SD) processes. This error often occurs when creating or processing sales documents, such as sales orders or deliveries, where the distribution channel is a mandatory field.
  Cause:
  The error is triggered when:
  
  The distribution channel field is not filled in the sales document.
  The distribution channel is not defined in the relevant master data (e.g., customer master, material master).
  The configuration settings in the system do not allow for the processing of documents without a distribution channel.
  
  Solution:
  To resolve this error, you can take the following steps:
  
  
  Check the Sales Document:
  
  Ensure that the distribution channel field is filled in the sales document you are trying to create or process. This can usually be found in the header or item details of the sales order or delivery.
  
  
  
  Review Master Data:
  
  Verify that the customer master record has a valid distribution channel assigned. You can check this in the customer master data (transaction code XD02 for general data or VD02 for sales area data).
  Ensure that the material master record is also set up correctly with the relevant distribution channel (transaction code MM02).
  
  
  
  Configuration Settings:
  
  Check the configuration settings in the SAP system to ensure that the distribution channel is correctly defined and that it is not set to be optional when it should be mandatory. This can be done in the SPRO configuration under Sales and Distribution settings.
  
  
  
  Sales Area Assignment:
  
  Make sure that the sales area (which includes the distribution channel, division, and sales organization) is correctly assigned to the customer and that it matches the sales area of the sales document.
  
  
  
  Testing:
  
  After making the necessary changes, try to recreate the sales document to see if the error persists.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  
  Transaction Codes:
  
  XD02 - Change Customer Master
  VD02 - Change Customer Master (Sales Area)
  MM02 - Change Material Master
  VA01 - Create Sales Order
  VL01N - Create Outbound Delivery
  
  
  
  SAP Notes:
  
  Check SAP Notes for any specific patches or updates related to this error message, as there may be known issues or additional guidance provided by SAP.
  
  
  
  Documentation:
  
  Refer to SAP Help documentation for Sales and Distribution to understand the role of distribution channels and how they are configured.
  
  
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to identify the root cause of the error and implement the necessary changes to resolve it.