Ways to Block a Material from Being Entered in a Sales Order in SAP

Are you looking for a way to permanently block a material from being entered in a sales order in SAP? Whether it's due to discontinued items, regulatory issues, or internal controls, SAP provides several robust methods to prevent a material from being selected during the sales process. 

1. Block Material via Material Master – X-Plant and Plant-Specific Status

The most straightforward way to prevent a material from being processed in sales orders is through the Material Master settings.

Steps:

1. Navigate to the Basic Data 1 view of the material in the Material Master.
2. Locate the field named X-Plant Material Status in the General Data section.
3. Choose a status that blocks the material for sales activities.
Additionally:
  • Go to the Cost Estimate 1 view.
  • Find the Plant-Specific Material Status.
  • Set the appropriate block here to restrict use at the plant level.
Result: The material becomes blocked for all sales activities across plants or at specific plants, depending on your configuration.

2. Use the SAP Material Exclusion Function

SAP offers a dedicated Listing and Exclusion functionality to manage materials on a per-customer basis.

Functional Path:

SAP Menu > Logistics > Sales and Distribution > Master Data > Products > Listing/Exclusion > Create

Or use transaction codes:

  • VBO1 – Create
  • VB02 – Change
  • VB03 – Display

Steps:

1. Choose Exclusion Type: Use standard exclusion type B001.
2. Enter the Customer Number for whom the material should be blocked.
3. Under Maintain Materials, add the material(s) to be excluded.
4. Save and Exit.
To verify:
- Create a sales order and try entering the excluded material. SAP will prevent it from being added.

3. Apply a Sales Block in the Material Master (Sales Org View)

Another effective method is using the Sales Block field in the Sales Org data view of the material.

Steps:

1. Access the Sales: Sales Org. 1 or Sales: Sales Org. 2 tab of the Material Master.
2. Locate the Sales Status or Sales Block field.
3. Choose from available options like:
  • Block from all activity
  • Allow for quotations only
  • Block from sales orders but allow credits
This setting is sales area specific and comes with an effectivity date, allowing you to schedule when the block becomes active.

4. Configure SAP Listing/Exclusion in IMG (Optional)

If you need advanced control or want to customize procedures:

Path in IMG:

SPRO > IMG > Sales and Distribution > Basic Functions > Listing/Exclusion

Here, you can:

  • Activate listing/exclusion procedure for your sales document type
  • Create custom condition types, access sequences, and procedures tailored to your business needs.

Summary Table: Material Blocking Methods in SAP

Method Location Scope Flexibility
X-Plant / Plant-Specific Status Material Master Global or Plant Level Medium
Listing/Exclusion Customer-Specific Per Customer High
Sales Block Sales Org View in Material Master Sales Area Specific Very High

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I block a material for sales but still allow it for returns?

Yes, using the Sales Block setting, you can configure the material to be blocked only for sales orders while still allowing returns or credit memos.

2. Will the material still show up in availability check if it’s blocked?

It depends on the method used. Material Exclusion will prevent selection altogether, while Sales Block may still show the material but prevent its use based on order type.

3. Is the exclusion setting valid for all customers?

No. Material exclusion must be maintained per customer unless a custom procedure is set up globally.

4. Can I schedule when the block should start?

Yes, with the effectivity date in the Sales Block field, you can schedule the exact start date for the block.

5. What if I want to block the material only for a specific order type?

You can customize the listing/exclusion procedure in IMG to apply only for specific order types.

6. How do I unblock a material later?

Simply return to the field where the block was applied (e.g., X-Plant status, Exclusion List, or Sales Block) and reset or remove the block value.

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