How To Fix W5146 - Please enter either a short text or a material master record

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: W5 - Messages for MM-WEB Applications and BAPIs

• Message number: 146

• Message text: Please enter either a short text or a material master record

Self-Explanatory Message

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message W5146 - Please enter either a short text or a material master record ?

  SAP Error Message:
  
  W5146 – "Please enter either a short text or a material master record"
  
  Cause:
  This warning message appears when you are trying to create or process a document (such as a purchase order, sales order, or goods movement) that requires either a material master record or a short text description for the item, but neither has been provided.
  In SAP, when entering line items, you can specify materials either by referencing an existing material master record (material number) or by entering a free-text description (short text). If both fields are left empty, the system cannot identify the item and issues this warning.
  
  When does it occur?
  
  Creating purchase requisitions, purchase orders, or sales orders.
  Entering goods movements or inventory documents.
  Any transaction where item details are mandatory but missing.
  
  
  Solution:
  
  Enter a valid material number: If the item exists in the material master, input the material number in the relevant field.
  Enter a short text description: If the item does not have a material master record (e.g., non-stock item, service, or one-off purchase), enter a meaningful short text description of the item.
  Check configuration: Sometimes, the system is configured to require either material or short text. If your business process requires otherwise, consult with your SAP MM/SD consultant to adjust the settings.
  
  
  Additional Information:
  
  This message is a warning (W), not an error, so you may be able to proceed after entering the required data.
  The message ensures data completeness and helps avoid ambiguous or incomplete item entries.
  In some cases, the message can be customized or suppressed via message control settings, but this is generally not recommended as it may lead to incomplete data.
  If you frequently deal with items without material master records, consider creating material masters for them or standardizing the use of short texts.
  
  
  Summary:
  
  
  
  Aspect
  Details
  
  
  
  
  Message
  W5146 – Please enter either a short text or a material master record
  
  
  Cause
  Neither material number nor short text entered for an item line
  
  
  Solution
  Enter a valid material number or a short text description
  
  
  Type
  Warning (can proceed after correction)
  
  
  Related Modules
  MM (Materials Management), SD (Sales and Distribution)
  
  
  
  
  If you need help identifying the exact field or transaction causing this message, please provide the transaction code or context where the message appears.