How To Fix 1G638 - Header cannot be deleted because valid positions exist

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: 1G - BKK: Konditionen

• Message number: 638

• Message text: Header cannot be deleted because valid positions exist

What causes this issue?

You cannot delete the selected header because there are still positions
in the condition whose <ZK>Valid From</> date (after the deletion) is
before <ZK>Valid From</> date of the header.

How to fix this error?

Delete the corresponding condition position and continue with the
deletion of the header.
When the principle of dual control is activated, the deleted condition
position must already be released. A condition position deletion that
has not yet been released is seen as still existing.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message 1G638 - Header cannot be deleted because valid positions exist ?

  The SAP error message 1G638 indicates that a header (such as a sales order, purchase order, or other document) cannot be deleted because there are valid positions (line items) associated with it. This is a common restriction in SAP to maintain data integrity, as deleting a header with existing line items could lead to inconsistencies in the database.
  Cause:
  The primary cause of this error is that the document you are trying to delete has one or more line items that are still valid and have not been deleted or marked for deletion. SAP enforces this rule to ensure that all related data is consistent and that no orphaned records are left in the system.
  Solution:
  To resolve this error, you need to take the following steps:
  
  
  Check Line Items: Review the line items associated with the header document. You can do this by navigating to the document in question and checking its details.
  
  
  Delete or Mark for Deletion: If the line items are no longer needed, you can delete them or mark them for deletion. The method to do this will depend on the type of document:
  
  For sales orders, you can go to the line item details and choose to delete or mark them for deletion.
  For purchase orders, you can do the same in the purchase order details.
  
  
  
  Re-attempt Deletion: Once all line items are deleted or marked for deletion, you can attempt to delete the header document again.
  
  
  Check for Dependencies: Ensure that there are no other dependencies or related documents that might prevent the deletion. For example, if the document is linked to other processes (like deliveries or invoices), those must be addressed first.
  
  
  Consult Documentation: If you are unsure about the process or the implications of deleting line items, consult your organization's SAP documentation or reach out to your SAP support team for guidance.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: Depending on the type of document, you may use different transaction codes to view or manage the documents (e.g., VA02 for sales orders, ME22N for purchase orders).
  User Authorizations: Ensure that you have the necessary authorizations to delete line items and headers in the system.
  Data Integrity: Always consider the impact of deleting documents on reporting and data integrity within your SAP system.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the error and successfully delete the header document if it is appropriate to do so.