SAP BOM Usage and Item Category Reference
BOM usage and item category are two of the first fields a consultant sees on any BOM screen, and wrong choices break MRP, costing or configuration. This reference lists the standard keys and what they mean in plain words.
| Type | Code | Name | What it means |
|---|---|---|---|
BOM usage | 1 | Production | BOM used for manufacturing; read by MRP and production orders. |
BOM usage | 2 | Engineering/design | Design view of the product structure; often not relevant to planning. |
BOM usage | 3 | Universal | One BOM for several purposes such as production and sales. |
BOM usage | 4 | Plant maintenance | BOM for maintenance objects and spare parts structures. |
BOM usage | 5 | Sales and distribution | BOM used for sales structures such as kits and sales BOMs. |
BOM usage | 6 | Costing | BOM used for cost estimates where it differs from production. |
Item category | L | Stock item | Material kept in stock with a material master; the most common item. |
Item category | N | Non-stock item | Material not kept in stock; procured directly for the order. |
Item category | T | Text item | Text line only; no material, no quantity logic. |
Item category | D | Document item | Links a document info record to the BOM item. |
Item category | R | Variable-size item | Quantity depends on size dimensions entered, such as length and width. |
Item category | M | Class item | References a class so a material from the class is chosen later. |
Item category | K | Intra material | Pseudo-item used within a material; uses a separate structure. |
Item category | P | PM structure element | Item for a structure element in plant maintenance. |
BOM usage keys and item categories are configurable in customizing. These are the standard values delivered by SAP. Your system may add keys or restrict which are allowed, so check your own settings before relying on a code.
BOM data check
Optional read-only check of BOM usage and item categories in your data.
Optional. The tool and every export work without this. No spam.
How to use the reference
Search by code or by name. BOM usage tells the system what the BOM is for, and item category controls how each BOM line behaves. Check the column called what it means before you set up a new BOM or review an existing one. Export to Excel to share with the data load team.
- Search for a code like L or a word like stock
- Use usage 3 only where one BOM truly serves every purpose
- Check customizing for extra keys in your system
- Document the choice in your data standard
Why these fields matter for VC and PLM
In variant configuration the BOM is the super BOM that carries selection conditions per item. Item categories decide whether a line is a stock part, a text line or a class item. A class item (M) lets the configuration choose a specific material later, and a document item (D) links documentation. Usage decides which BOM is found for production, sales or costing.
Reading the table
Usage 1 is the BOM that MRP and production orders use. Usage 3 is common in smaller companies because it avoids maintaining several BOMs. Item category L is by far the most used. N is used for items bought for a specific order. Use T for instructions and D for documents, not for quantities.
Common mistakes
A BOM created with usage 2 will not be picked up by production orders, which is a frequent cause of why does my order have no components. Another is setting a non-stock category for a part that is planned, which loses MRP visibility. Check both fields during any BOM migration.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is BOM usage in SAP?
BOM usage is a key that defines the purpose of the BOM, such as production, engineering, universal, plant maintenance, sales or costing. It controls which BOM the system selects for a given process.
What is the difference between L and N items?
L is a stock item that has a material master and is kept in stock. N is a non-stock item that is not stocked and is procured directly for the order. The choice affects MRP and procurement.
Can I create my own BOM usage keys?
Yes. BOM usage keys can be defined or changed in customizing, along with the rules that say which item categories are allowed for each usage.
What is a class item in a BOM?
A class item (M) refers to a class instead of a material. During configuration or order processing, a specific material from the class is selected for that position.
If you are cleaning up BOM usage and item categories during a migration, we can build a read-only check against your BOM data.
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