There are several detail screens for entering and processing item data. The item category determines the selection of screens and the fields on the screen. This means that the item category controls item data maintenance as soon as you create an item.
You enter some item categories with reference to a master record, and others without reference to a master record.
The following table shows which item categories are maintained with and without a reference to a master record.
Item Entry with and Without Reference to a Master Record
Item category |
Object type |
Master record |
Stock item |
Material |
Material master record |
Non-stock item (with reference to a material master record) |
Material |
Material master record |
Variable-size item |
Material |
Material master record |
PM structure element |
Material |
Material master record |
Intra material |
Intra material |
Material master record |
Document item |
Document |
Document info record |
Class item |
Class |
Class |
Text item |
without an object |
without |
Non-stock item (without reference to a material master record) |
without an object |
without |
When you create an item with reference to a master record, you enter the data that identifies the master record.
You do not maintain as much data for items without reference to a master record.