How To Fix 06020 - The document has already been deleted and cannot be changed

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: 06 -

• Message number: 020

• Message text: The document has already been deleted and cannot be changed

What causes this issue?

You have attempted to process a document that has already been deleted.
As a basic rule, documents and items that have been deleted or flagged
for deletion, or are blocked, may not be changed or extended.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message 06020 - The document has already been deleted and cannot be changed ?

  The SAP error message "06020 The document has already been deleted and cannot be changed" typically occurs when a user attempts to modify or access a document that has already been marked as deleted in the system. This can happen in various SAP modules, such as Financial Accounting (FI), Controlling (CO), or Materials Management (MM).
  Cause:
  
  Document Deletion: The document in question has been deleted from the database, either through a manual deletion process or as part of a batch job.
  Data Integrity: The system maintains data integrity by preventing changes to documents that are no longer valid or have been removed.
  User Actions: A user may have attempted to edit or post changes to a document that is no longer available in the system.
  
  Solution:
  
  Check Document Status: Verify the status of the document in question. You can do this by using transaction codes like FB03 (Display Document) or MB03 (Display Material Document) to see if the document exists.
  Review Deletion Logs: If you have access, check the deletion logs or audit trails to understand when and why the document was deleted.
  Restore Document: If the document was deleted in error and needs to be restored, consult with your SAP administrator or support team. Depending on your organization's policies, it may be possible to restore the document from a backup.
  Create a New Document: If the document cannot be restored, you may need to create a new document to replace the deleted one, ensuring that all necessary information is captured.
  Consult Documentation: Refer to SAP documentation or help resources for specific guidance related to the module you are working in.
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes for document management in SAP, such as FB03, FB02, MB03, etc.
  User Permissions: Ensure that you have the appropriate permissions to view or modify documents in the system.
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any known issues or patches related to this error message. SAP Notes can provide additional context or solutions for specific scenarios.
  Support: If the issue persists, consider reaching out to your internal SAP support team or SAP support for further assistance.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to address the error message and understand the implications of document deletion in SAP.