How To Fix WW021 - You maintained the material group without assigning a reference material

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: WW - Material group master maintenance

• Message number: 021

• Message text: You maintained the material group without assigning a reference material

What causes this issue?

You canceled maintenance of the reference material. As a result, no
reference material has been defined for the material group.

The system issues an error message and will not allow you to continue with this transaction until the error is resolved.

System Response

How to fix this error?

Maintain the reference material later on in change mode.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message WW021 - You maintained the material group without assigning a reference material ?

  The SAP error message WW021 indicates that a material group has been maintained without assigning a reference material. This typically occurs in the context of material master data management, particularly when creating or modifying material groups in the SAP system.
  Cause:
  The error arises when:
  
  A material group is created or modified, but no reference material is assigned to it.
  The system requires a reference material to derive certain attributes or characteristics for the materials that will be assigned to this group.
  
  Solution:
  To resolve the WW021 error, you can follow these steps:
  
  
  Assign a Reference Material:
  
  Go to the transaction code MM01 (Create Material) or MM02 (Change Material).
  Navigate to the relevant material group.
  Assign a reference material that has the necessary attributes and characteristics.
  
  
  
  Check Material Group Settings:
  
  Use transaction code OMD1 to check the settings for the material group.
  Ensure that the material group is correctly configured and that a reference material is assigned.
  
  
  
  Create a Reference Material:
  
  If no suitable reference material exists, you may need to create one. Use MM01 to create a new material that can serve as a reference.
  
  
  
  Review Configuration:
  
  If you have access to configuration settings, check the material group configuration in the IMG (Implementation Guide) under Logistics > Material Master > Basic Settings > Material Types to ensure that the settings are correct.
  
  
  
  Consult Documentation:
  
  Review SAP documentation or help files related to material master data management for additional guidance on managing material groups and reference materials.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Material Master Data: The material master is a central repository of information about materials that an organization procures, produces, and sells.
  Material Groups: Material groups are used to categorize materials for reporting and analysis purposes.
  Reference Material: A reference material is a material that serves as a template for creating other materials, ensuring consistency in attributes and characteristics.
  
  If the issue persists after following these steps, it may be beneficial to consult with your SAP support team or refer to SAP Notes for any specific patches or updates related to this error message.