How To Fix WT317 - Article &1 is Generic Article or Variant, Therefore not Changed

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: WT - Retail: Replenishment

• Message number: 317

• Message text: Article &1 is Generic Article or Variant, Therefore not Changed

Self-Explanatory Message

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• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message WT317 - Article &1 is Generic Article or Variant, Therefore not Changed ?

  SAP Error Message:
  
  WT317 - Article &1 is Generic Article or Variant, Therefore not Changed
  
  Cause:
  This error occurs when you attempt to change or update an article (material) in SAP that is defined as a generic article or a variant. In SAP's variant configuration or variant management, generic articles serve as templates or base articles, and variants are specific versions derived from these generic articles.
  
  Generic articles are not meant to be changed directly because they represent a class of articles.
  Variants inherit properties from the generic article and are managed differently.
  
  Attempting to change such articles directly (e.g., via transaction or program that expects a standard article) triggers this error because the system restricts direct changes to maintain data integrity and consistency.
  
  Solution:
  
  
  Check Article Type:
  
  Verify if the article is indeed a generic article or a variant.
  Use transaction codes like MM03 (Display Material) or specific variant management transactions to check the article type.
  
  
  
  Change the Correct Object:
  
  If you want to change characteristics or data related to a generic article, make changes at the generic article level or via the variant configuration.
  For variants, changes should be made to the generic article or through variant-specific transactions.
  
  
  
  Use Variant Configuration Transactions:
  
  Use transactions like CU50, CU51, or CU52 to maintain characteristics and classes for generic articles.
  For variants, use variant-specific maintenance transactions.
  
  
  
  Avoid Direct Changes:
  
  Do not attempt to change generic articles or variants using standard material master change transactions (like MM02) if the system restricts it.
  Instead, use the variant configuration tools or the appropriate master data maintenance transactions.
  
  
  
  Consult Documentation or SAP Notes:
  
  Check SAP Notes or documentation related to variant configuration and generic articles for specific instructions or patches if this error occurs unexpectedly.
  
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  
  Generic Articles and Variants:
  
  In SAP Variant Configuration, generic articles act as templates with characteristics and classes. Variants are specific instances with fixed characteristic values.
  
  
  Transactions:
  
  MM03 - Display Material
  MM02 - Change Material (may be restricted for generic articles/variants)
  CU50 - Change Characteristics
  CU51 - Change Classes
  CU52 - Change Class Values
  
  
  
  SAP Variant Configuration:
  
  Variant configuration allows you to manage products with many variants efficiently by defining generic articles and variants.
  
  
  SAP Notes:
  
  Search for SAP Notes related to WT317 or variant configuration errors for patches or detailed explanations.
  
  
  
  Summary:
  The error WT317 indicates that the article you are trying to change is a generic article or variant, which cannot be changed directly in the usual way. To resolve this, identify the article type and use the appropriate variant configuration or master data maintenance transactions to make changes. Avoid direct changes to generic articles or variants via standard material change transactions.
  
  If you provide the context or transaction where this error occurs, I can help with more specific guidance.