How To Fix WW083 - Reference material & is still being used. Deletion not possible

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: WW - Material group master maintenance

• Message number: 083

• Message text: Reference material & is still being used. Deletion not possible

What causes this issue?

You are attempting to delete a base material group. The reference
material for this material group is also used in other base material
groups, however.

System Response

The material group cannot be deleted.

How to fix this error?

If this material group really does have to be deleted, first delete or
change all assignments of this reference material to other base
material groups in which it is currently used.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message WW083 - Reference material & is still being used. Deletion not possible ?

  The SAP error message WW083 indicates that a reference material is still in use, which prevents its deletion. This typically occurs when the material is linked to various transactions or documents within the system, such as production orders, purchase orders, or inventory records.
  Cause:
  
  Active Transactions: The material is currently being referenced in active transactions, such as sales orders, purchase orders, or production orders.
  Stock Levels: The material may have stock levels that are still being managed in the system.
  Dependencies: There may be dependencies or links to other materials or processes that prevent deletion.
  Master Data: The material might be part of a bill of materials (BOM) or routing that is still in use.
  
  Solution:
  To resolve the WW083 error and delete the reference material, follow these steps:
  
  
  Identify Usage:
  
  Use transaction codes like MMBE (Stock Overview) or MB51 (Material Document List) to check if there are any stock levels or transactions associated with the material.
  Check for any open purchase orders or sales orders that reference the material.
  
  
  
  Remove Dependencies:
  
  If the material is part of a BOM or routing, you will need to remove it from those structures.
  Ensure that there are no active production orders or planned orders that reference the material.
  
  
  
  Clear Stock:
  
  If there is stock on hand, consider transferring it to another material or performing a stock adjustment to clear it.
  
  
  
  Delete Related Documents:
  
  If there are any related documents (like purchase orders or sales orders), you may need to delete or close them before you can delete the material.
  
  
  
  Use Transaction Code MM06:
  
  If you cannot delete the material directly, you can mark it for deletion using transaction code MM06. This will prevent further use of the material, but it will not remove it from the database.
  
  
  
  Consult with Your Team:
  
  If you are unsure about the implications of deleting the material, consult with your SAP team or a functional consultant to ensure that you are not disrupting any critical processes.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Material Master Data: Understanding how material master data is structured in SAP can help in managing materials effectively.
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes such as MM02 (Change Material), MM03 (Display Material), and MM06 (Mark for Deletion).
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any specific guidance or updates related to the WW083 error message.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to identify the cause of the error and take appropriate actions to resolve it.