How To Fix WW081 - The material you have entered (&) is not a reference material

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: WW - Material group master maintenance

• Message number: 081

• Message text: The material you have entered (&) is not a reference material

What causes this issue?

You can only assign reference materials (material category 30).

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 material.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message WW081 - The material you have entered (&) is not a reference material ?

  The SAP error message WW081 indicates that the material you have entered is not recognized as a reference material in the system. This typically occurs in the context of material management or production planning when a user attempts to perform an action that requires a reference material, such as creating a bill of materials (BOM) or a production order.
  Cause:
  
  Material Type: The material you are trying to use may not be defined as a reference material in the system. Reference materials are usually specific types of materials that have been configured in SAP to serve as templates or standards for other materials.
  Material Status: The material may be inactive or not properly set up in the system.
  Configuration Issues: There may be configuration issues in the material master data that prevent the material from being recognized as a reference material.
  Incorrect Material Number: The material number entered may be incorrect or may not exist in the system.
  
  Solution:
  
  
  Check Material Master Data: Verify the material master data for the material in question. Ensure that it is set up correctly and that it is of the appropriate material type that can be used as a reference material.
  
  Use transaction code MM03 to display the material master and check its details.
  
  
  
  Material Type Configuration: Ensure that the material type is configured to allow it to be used as a reference material. This may require access to the configuration settings in SAP.
  
  You may need to consult with your SAP configuration team or refer to the customizing settings in transaction SPRO.
  
  
  
  Correct Material Number: Double-check the material number you entered to ensure it is correct. If necessary, search for the material using transaction MM03 or MM02 to confirm its existence.
  
  
  Consult Documentation: If you are unsure about the material type or configuration, refer to SAP documentation or consult with your SAP support team for guidance.
  
  
  User Authorization: Ensure that you have the necessary authorizations to access and use reference materials in the system.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: 
  
  MM03 - Display Material
  MM02 - Change Material
  MM01 - Create Material
  SPRO - Customizing settings
  
  
  Material Types: Familiarize yourself with the different material types in your SAP system and their purposes.
  SAP Notes: Check for any relevant SAP Notes that may address this specific error or provide additional troubleshooting steps.
  
  If the issue persists after following these steps, it may be beneficial to escalate the matter to your SAP support team for further investigation.