How To Fix WB2B498 - Ext. reference exists for &1, only expenses and BOM's can be maintained

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: WB2B - Trading Contract

• Message number: 498

• Message text: Ext. reference exists for &1, only expenses and BOM's can be maintained

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 WB2B498 - Ext. reference exists for &1, only expenses and BOM's can be maintained ?

  The SAP error message WB2B498 indicates that there is an external reference associated with a particular material or item (denoted by &1 in the message). This means that the item is linked to an external reference, and as a result, only certain types of data can be maintained for it, specifically expenses and Bill of Materials (BOMs).
  Cause:
  The error typically arises in scenarios where:
  
  The material or item is part of a procurement process that involves external references, such as contracts or purchase orders.
  The system restricts modifications to certain fields or data types for items that have external references to ensure data integrity and compliance with procurement processes.
  
  Solution:
  To resolve this error, you can consider the following steps:
  
  
  Check External References: 
  
  Identify the external reference associated with the material/item. You can do this by checking the material master data or related procurement documents.
  
  
  
  Review Data Maintenance Options:
  
  Since the error states that only expenses and BOMs can be maintained, ensure that you are trying to modify only those aspects of the material/item that are allowed. For example, you can update cost-related information or BOMs but not other attributes.
  
  
  
  Remove External Reference:
  
  If it is necessary to modify other attributes of the material/item, you may need to remove the external reference. This could involve:
  
  Closing or deleting the associated purchase orders or contracts.
  Consulting with your procurement or materials management team to understand the implications of removing the external reference.
  
  
  
  
  
  Consult Documentation:
  
  Refer to SAP documentation or help resources for specific guidance on handling external references and the implications of modifying materials with such links.
  
  
  
  Contact SAP Support:
  
  If the issue persists or if you are unsure about the implications of any changes, consider reaching out to SAP support or your internal SAP support team for assistance.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: You may need to use transaction codes like MM03 (Display Material), ME23N (Display Purchase Order), or CS03 (Display BOM) to view the relevant data.
  Authorization: Ensure that you have the necessary authorizations to make changes to the material or related documents.
  Impact Analysis: Before making any changes, conduct an impact analysis to understand how removing the external reference might affect ongoing processes or reporting.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to address the WB2B498 error effectively.