How To Fix W4014 - &: & bill of material exists

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: W4 - Messages for material discontinuation

• Message number: 014

• Message text: &: & bill of material exists

What causes this issue?

The material is a bill of material.

System Response

The system issues an error message and will not allow you to continue with this transaction until the error is resolved.

How to fix this error?

First, explode the bill of material into its components.
<DS:TRAN.MM42>Maintain set material</>
<DS:TRAN.MM42>Maintain display material</>
<DS:TRAN.MM42>Maintain prepack</>
<DS:TRAN.MM42>Maintain empties</>

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message W4014 - &: & bill of material exists ?

  SAP Error Message:
  
  W4014 & : & bill of material exists
  
  Meaning / Cause:
  This warning message indicates that a Bill of Material (BOM) exists for the material in question. Typically, this message appears when you attempt to perform an action that conflicts with the existence of a BOM for that material. For example:
  
  Trying to delete or flag a material for deletion that still has an active BOM.
  Attempting to change certain material master data that is restricted because a BOM exists.
  Trying to create a BOM when one already exists (depending on the transaction and settings).
  
  The placeholders & in the message are replaced by specific values at runtime, such as the material number or BOM number.
  
  Common Scenarios:
  
  Material deletion: You cannot delete a material if it has an active BOM.
  Material status change: Certain status changes are blocked if a BOM exists.
  BOM creation: Trying to create a BOM when one already exists (depending on configuration).
  
  
  Solution / How to Resolve:
  
  
  Check the BOM:
  
  Use transaction CS03 (Display BOM) to verify if a BOM exists for the material.
  Confirm the BOM status and usage.
  
  
  
  If you want to delete the material:
  
  First, delete or flag the BOM for deletion using CS02 (Change BOM).
  After BOM deletion or flagging, proceed with material deletion.
  
  
  
  If you want to change material master data:
  
  Review the material status and BOM dependencies.
  Adjust the BOM or material status accordingly.
  
  
  
  If creating a BOM:
  
  Check if a BOM already exists for the material and usage.
  If a BOM exists, either modify the existing BOM or create a new BOM with a different usage or alternative BOM.
  
  
  
  Check authorizations:
  
  Sometimes, the message appears due to missing authorizations to change or delete BOMs or materials.
  
  
  
  
  Related Transactions:
  
  CS01 – Create BOM
  CS02 – Change BOM
  CS03 – Display BOM
  MM02 – Change Material Master
  MM06 – Flag Material for Deletion
  MM03 – Display Material Master
  
  
  Additional Notes:
  
  This is a warning message (W message), so it may allow you to continue after acknowledging it, but the system is cautioning you about the BOM existence.
  Always ensure BOM consistency before deleting or changing materials to avoid data inconsistencies.
  Check customizing settings in SPRO under Logistics ? Production ? Basic Data ? Bills of Material for relevant controls.
  
  
  If you provide the exact context or transaction where the message appears, I can give more tailored advice.