How To Fix VG203 - The material number for item & could not be identified

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: VG - EDI Messages in SD

• Message number: 203

• Message text: The material number for item & could not be identified

Self-Explanatory Message

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message VG203 - The material number for item & could not be identified ?

  Certainly! Here's a detailed explanation for the SAP error message VG203: "The material number for item & could not be identified":
  
  Error Message:
  VG203 - The material number for item & could not be identified
  
  Cause:
  This error typically occurs in SAP Sales and Distribution (SD) or Logistics Execution (LE) modules when the system is unable to determine or find the material number for a particular item in a document (such as a delivery, sales order, or transfer order).
  Common causes include:
  
  
  Missing or Incorrect Material Master Data:
  
  The material number referenced in the document does not exist in the material master.
  The material master record might be incomplete or deleted.
  
  
  
  Incorrect Item Data:
  
  The item in the document does not have a material number assigned.
  The item might be a service or non-stock item without a material number, but the process expects one.
  
  
  
  Data Inconsistency or Customizing Issues:
  
  Incorrect or missing configuration in the item category or document type that leads to the system expecting a material number where none is provided.
  Issues in the copy control or data transfer routines that fail to map or transfer the material number.
  
  
  
  User Input Error:
  
  Manual entry of an invalid or non-existent material number.
  
  
  
  
  Solution:
  To resolve the VG203 error, follow these steps:
  
  
  Check the Material Number:
  
  Verify that the material number entered for the item exists in the material master (transaction MM03).
  Ensure the material is active and valid for the relevant plant and sales organization.
  
  
  
  Review the Document Item:
  
  Check the item details in the document (sales order, delivery, etc.) to confirm that the material number is correctly entered.
  If the item is supposed to be a service or non-stock item, ensure the item category is set correctly to allow no material number.
  
  
  
  Check Item Category and Document Type Configuration:
  
  Review the item category settings (transaction VOV7) to ensure that the material number is required or optional as per business needs.
  Verify the document type settings to ensure consistency.
  
  
  
  Check Copy Control and Data Transfer Routines:
  
  If the error occurs during document creation or copying (e.g., sales order to delivery), check the copy control settings (transaction VTAA, VTFA, etc.) to ensure material numbers are correctly mapped.
  Review any user-exits or BADIs that might affect material number assignment.
  
  
  
  Correct the Data:
  
  If the material number is missing, enter the correct material number.
  If the material number is invalid, replace it with a valid one.
  
  
  
  Reprocess the Document:
  
  After corrections, try to save or process the document again.
  
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  
  Transaction Codes:
  
  MM03 - Display Material Master
  VA01/VA02 - Create/Change Sales Order
  VL01N/VL02N - Create/Change Outbound Delivery
  VOV7 - Configure Item Categories
  VTAA/VTFA - Copy Control for Sales Documents
  
  
  
  Notes:
  
  This error is common when integrating SD with Warehouse Management (WM) or Transportation Management (TM), where material numbers are critical for processing.
  Ensure that all master data is synchronized across modules.
  
  
  
  SAP Help and OSS Notes:
  
  Check SAP OSS notes for any known bugs or patches related to VG203.
  Refer to SAP Help Portal for detailed configuration guides on item categories and material master data.
  
  
  
  
  If you provide the exact transaction or process where the error occurs, I can help with more specific troubleshooting steps.