How To Fix WE230 - Additional EANs already used for reference material

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

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

• Message number: 230

• Message text: Additional EANs already used for reference material

Self-Explanatory Message

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message WE230 - Additional EANs already used for reference material ?

  Certainly! Here's a detailed explanation regarding the SAP error message WE230 - Additional EANs already used for reference material:
  
  Error Message
  WE230 - Additional EANs already used for reference material
  
  Cause
  This error occurs during the processing of IDocs (typically related to material master data, e.g., message type MATMAS) when the system tries to assign an Additional EAN (European Article Number) to a material, but the EAN is already assigned to another material in the system.
  In SAP, EANs (barcodes) must be unique identifiers for materials. If an EAN is already linked to one material, it cannot be assigned to another material as an additional EAN. The system checks for uniqueness and throws this error if a duplicate is detected.
  
  When does it occur?
  
  During inbound IDoc processing for material master data (e.g., MATMAS).
  When updating or creating material master records with additional EANs.
  When the EAN being assigned is already linked to a different material in the system.
  
  
  Solution
  
  
  Check the EAN in the system:
  
  Use transaction MM03 (Display Material) or EAN/UPC code search to find which material currently has the EAN assigned.
  You can also use table MARA or MARC combined with EAN tables like MARM or EAN (table EAN stores EANs linked to materials).
  
  
  
  Verify the correctness of the EAN:
  
  Confirm if the EAN in the IDoc is correct or if it was mistakenly assigned.
  Check if the EAN should be assigned to the new material or if it belongs to the existing material.
  
  
  
  Resolve duplicates:
  
  If the EAN is wrongly assigned to another material, correct the assignment by removing or changing the EAN from the old material.
  If the EAN should not be assigned to the new material, correct the inbound data or IDoc source to remove or change the EAN.
  
  
  
  Adjust the IDoc data:
  
  Correct the inbound IDoc data to ensure no duplicate EANs are assigned.
  Reprocess the IDoc after correction.
  
  
  
  Customizing / Master Data Governance:
  
  Implement checks or validations in the master data governance process to prevent duplicate EAN assignments.
  Use SAP standard tools or custom reports to regularly check for duplicate EANs.
  
  
  
  
  Related Information
  
  
  Tables involved:
  
  EAN - Stores EANs assigned to materials.
  MARA - General material data.
  MARM - Units of measure for materials.
  
  
  
  Transactions:
  
  MM03 - Display material.
  MM02 - Change material (to remove or correct EAN).
  WE02 / WE05 - IDoc display and analysis.
  
  
  
  Notes and SAP documentation:
  
  SAP Notes related to EAN handling and IDoc processing may provide additional fixes or patches.
  Check SAP Help Portal for material master and EAN management.
  
  
  
  
  Summary
  
  
  
  Aspect
  Description
  
  
  
  
  Cause
  EAN being assigned as additional EAN is already linked to another material in SAP.
  
  
  Effect
  IDoc processing fails with error WE230, preventing duplicate EAN assignment.
  
  
  Solution
  Identify the material currently assigned the EAN, correct the assignment, and fix the IDoc.
  
  
  Tools
  MM03, MM02, WE02/WE05, tables EAN, MARA, MARM.
  
  
  
  
  If you need help with specific steps or transaction codes, feel free to ask!