How To Fix WSTRN085 - Reference article has variants not defined in the generic article

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: WSTRN - Message for Prepack Creation and Planning Dialog

• Message number: 085

• Message text: Reference article has variants not defined in the generic article

What causes this issue?

The reference generic article has variants that are not defined in the
generic article.

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?

Enter a reference generic article whose variants are found in the
generic article.

Procedure for System Administrators

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message WSTRN085 - Reference article has variants not defined in the generic article ?

  Certainly! Here's a detailed explanation for the SAP error message WSTRN085 - Reference article has variants not defined in the generic article:
  
  Error Message
  WSTRN085
  
  Text: Reference article has variants not defined in the generic article
  
  Cause
  This error occurs in SAP Variant Configuration or in Sales and Distribution (SD) when you try to assign or reference an article (material) that has variants, but these variants are not defined or maintained in the generic article (the "parent" or "generic" material).
  In other words, the system expects that all variants of a reference article must be included or defined in the generic article's variant configuration. If the reference article contains variants that are missing or not maintained in the generic article, the system throws this error.
  This typically happens in scenarios such as:
  
  When using configurable materials with variant configuration.
  When creating or processing sales documents or BOMs where generic articles and their variants are involved.
  When referencing articles in variant configuration where the variant characteristics or values are inconsistent or incomplete.
  
  
  Explanation
  
  Generic article: A material that acts as a "template" or "generic" product with variant characteristics defined.
  Reference article: A material that is linked or referenced to the generic article, often as a variant or sub-variant.
  The system expects that all variants of the reference article must be included in the generic article's variant configuration.
  If the reference article has variants that are not defined in the generic article, the system cannot resolve the variant characteristics properly, leading to this error.
  
  
  Solution
  
  
  Check Variant Configuration:
  
  Verify the variant characteristics and values defined for the generic article.
  Ensure that all variants of the reference article are included in the generic article's variant configuration.
  
  
  
  Maintain Variant Characteristics:
  
  Use transaction CU41 (Change Generic Article) or CU42 (Change Reference Article) to check and maintain the variant characteristics.
  Add missing variant characteristics or values to the generic article so that it covers all variants of the reference article.
  
  
  
  Check Material Master:
  
  Ensure that the material master data for both generic and reference articles is consistent.
  Check if the reference article is correctly assigned to the generic article.
  
  
  
  Review BOM and Sales Documents:
  
  If the error occurs during sales order processing or BOM explosion, verify that the BOM and sales documents reference the correct generic and variant articles.
  
  
  
  Recreate or Adjust Variant Configuration:
  
  If necessary, recreate or adjust the variant configuration model to ensure consistency between generic and reference articles.
  
  
  
  Consult SAP Notes:
  
  Check for any relevant SAP Notes that might address bugs or provide additional guidance related to this error.
  
  
  
  
  Related Information
  
  
  Transactions:
  
  CU41 - Change Generic Article
  CU42 - Change Reference Article
  CU50 - Create Variant Configuration Model
  CS01/CS02 - Create/Change BOM (if BOM is involved)
  VA01/VA02 - Create/Change Sales Order (if error occurs during sales order processing)
  
  
  
  SAP Modules:
  
  Variant Configuration (LO-VC)
  Sales and Distribution (SD)
  Production Planning (PP)
  
  
  
  SAP Notes:
  
  Search SAP Support Portal for notes related to WSTRN085 or variant configuration inconsistencies.
  
  
  
  
  Summary
  
  
  
  Aspect
  Description
  
  
  
  
  Cause
  Reference article has variants not defined in the generic article's variant configuration.
  
  
  Effect
  System cannot resolve variant characteristics, leading to error WSTRN085.
  
  
  Solution
  Maintain variant characteristics in the generic article to include all variants of reference article. Check and correct variant configuration and material master data.
  
  
  
  
  If you provide more context (e.g., transaction where error occurs, material numbers, or configuration details), I can help with more specific guidance.