How To Fix W#172 - Sub-item with item no. &1 has wrong sub-item category &2 (instead of &3)

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: W# -

• Message number: 172

• Message text: Sub-item with item no. &1 has wrong sub-item category &2 (instead of &3)

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.

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message W#172 - Sub-item with item no. &1 has wrong sub-item category &2 (instead of &3) ?

  The SAP error message W#172 indicates that there is a mismatch in the sub-item category for a specific sub-item in a document. This error typically occurs in the context of materials management, particularly when dealing with purchasing documents, sales orders, or inventory management.
  Cause:
  The error message is triggered when the sub-item category assigned to a sub-item does not match the expected category defined in the system. This can happen due to several reasons:
  
  Incorrect Configuration: The sub-item category may not be correctly configured in the system for the specific item type or document type.
  Data Entry Errors: During the creation or modification of the document, an incorrect sub-item category may have been entered.
  Master Data Issues: The material master or other related master data may have incorrect settings that lead to this mismatch.
  Custom Development: If there are custom enhancements or modifications in the system, they may inadvertently cause this error.
  
  Solution:
  To resolve the W#172 error, you can take the following steps:
  
  
  Check Configuration:
  
  Review the configuration settings for the sub-item categories in the relevant customizing settings (e.g., SPRO).
  Ensure that the sub-item category is correctly defined for the item type and document type you are working with.
  
  
  
  Verify Document Data:
  
  Go back to the document where the error occurred and check the sub-item details.
  Ensure that the sub-item category matches the expected category (as indicated in the error message).
  
  
  
  Review Master Data:
  
  Check the material master data for the item in question. Ensure that the settings related to sub-item categories are correct.
  If necessary, update the master data to reflect the correct sub-item category.
  
  
  
  Consult Documentation:
  
  Refer to SAP documentation or help resources for specific guidance on sub-item categories and their configurations.
  
  
  
  Testing:
  
  After making the necessary changes, test the document creation or modification process again to ensure that the error no longer occurs.
  
  
  
  Seek Help from SAP Support:
  
  If the issue persists after checking the above points, consider reaching out to SAP support for further assistance.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: You may need to use transaction codes like ME21N (Create Purchase Order), ME22N (Change Purchase Order), or others depending on the context of the error.
  SAP Notes: Check for any relevant SAP Notes that may address this specific error or provide additional insights.
  User Exits and BAdIs: If there are custom developments in your SAP environment, review any user exits or BAdIs that might affect the handling of sub-item categories.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to identify and resolve the cause of the W#172 error in your SAP system.