How To Fix WE046 - & already assigned as referencing EAN

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: WE - Messages for EAN Customizing and for EAN management in MM_BD

• Message number: 046

• Message text: & already assigned as referencing EAN

Self-Explanatory Message

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message WE046 - & already assigned as referencing EAN ?

  Certainly! Here's a detailed explanation regarding the SAP error message WE046 with the note "already assigned as referencing EAN":
  
  SAP Error Message: WE046
  Text: "Material number & already assigned as referencing EAN"
  
  Cause
  
  The error WE046 occurs during the processing of IDoc messages related to material master data (e.g., MATMAS IDocs).
  It indicates that the material number you are trying to assign or use is already assigned as a referencing EAN (European Article Number) in the system.
  In SAP, an EAN (or GTIN) is used as a unique identifier for products. The system maintains a mapping between material numbers and EANs.
  This error typically arises when:
  
  You try to assign an EAN to a material, but that EAN is already linked to another material.
  Or, the material number you are trying to use is already used as an EAN for another material.
  
  
  Essentially, there is a conflict in the master data where the same number is being used both as a material number and as an EAN in different contexts, which is not allowed.
  
  
  Explanation
  
  SAP enforces uniqueness between material numbers and EANs to avoid ambiguity in product identification.
  The system uses tables like MARA (material master) and EAN/GTIN tables (e.g., EANLH, EANEV) to maintain these relationships.
  If a number is already assigned as an EAN for a material, it cannot be reused as a material number elsewhere, and vice versa.
  
  
  Solution
  
  
  Check Existing Assignments:
  
  Use transaction MM03 to check the material master for the material number in question.
  Use transaction WE02 or WE05 to analyze the IDoc and see the EAN assignments.
  Check table EANLH or use transaction SE16/SE16N to find if the number is assigned as an EAN.
  
  
  
  Identify Conflicting Entries:
  
  Find the material that currently has the EAN assigned.
  Determine if the EAN or material number is correct or if there is a data inconsistency.
  
  
  
  Correct the Data:
  
  If the number should be an EAN, do not use it as a material number.
  If the number should be a material number, remove or correct the EAN assignment.
  You may need to delete or change the conflicting EAN assignment using transaction MM02 (change material) or appropriate EAN maintenance transactions.
  
  
  
  Coordinate with Master Data Team:
  
  Since this involves master data integrity, coordinate with the master data management team to ensure consistent and correct data.
  
  
  
  Reprocess the IDoc:
  
  After correcting the data, reprocess the IDoc to confirm the error is resolved.
  
  
  
  
  Related Information
  
  Tables involved:
  
  MARA - General Material Data
  EANLH - EAN/UPC Codes for Materials
  EANNR - EAN Numbers
  
  
  Transactions:
  
  MM03 - Display Material
  MM02 - Change Material
  WE02 / WE05 - IDoc Monitoring
  SE16 / SE16N - Table Display
  
  
  Notes and SAP KBAs:
  
  SAP Notes related to EAN and material number conflicts may provide additional guidance.
  Search SAP Support Portal for "WE046" and "EAN assignment" for specific notes.
  
  
  
  
  Summary
  
  
  
  Aspect
  Description
  
  
  
  
  Cause
  Material number conflicts with an existing EAN assignment (number used as both material and EAN).
  
  
  Effect
  IDoc processing fails with error WE046.
  
  
  Solution
  Identify and correct conflicting assignments; ensure unique usage of numbers as material or EAN.
  
  
  Tools
  MM03, MM02, WE02, WE05, SE16N, SAP Notes.
  
  
  
  
  If you need help with specific steps or transaction codes, feel free to ask!