How To Fix 40018 - Deletion indicator is set for phase &

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: 40 - Messages for Process Orders

• Message number: 018

• Message text: Deletion indicator is set for phase &

What causes this issue?

The system issues an error message and will not allow you to continue with this transaction until the error is resolved.

System Response

This phase will not be taken over into the control recipe.

How to fix this error?

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message 40018 - Deletion indicator is set for phase & ?

  The SAP error message 40018, which states "Deletion indicator is set for phase &," typically occurs in the context of managing master data or transactional data in SAP. This error indicates that the system has detected a deletion indicator for a specific phase, which prevents further processing or modifications to that data.
  Cause:
  The primary cause of this error is that the deletion indicator has been set for a specific phase in the data you are trying to modify or delete. This could happen for various reasons, such as:
  
  Data Integrity: The deletion indicator is a safeguard to prevent accidental deletion of important data.
  Business Process: The phase may be part of a business process that has been completed, and the system is designed to prevent changes to completed phases.
  Configuration Settings: The system may be configured to enforce strict data management policies, including the use of deletion indicators.
  
  Solution:
  To resolve the error, you can take the following steps:
  
  
  Check the Deletion Indicator: Review the data in question to confirm that the deletion indicator is indeed set. You can do this by navigating to the relevant transaction or data view in SAP.
  
  
  Remove the Deletion Indicator: If it is appropriate to do so, you can remove the deletion indicator. This typically involves:
  
  Accessing the relevant transaction (e.g., for master data, you might use transaction codes like MM02 for material master or BP for business partners).
  Locating the specific phase or record.
  Unchecking the deletion indicator.
  
  
  
  Consult with Business Process Owners: Before making changes, it is advisable to consult with the relevant business process owners or data stewards to ensure that removing the deletion indicator aligns with business policies.
  
  
  Check Authorization: Ensure that you have the necessary authorizations to make changes to the data. If you do not have the required permissions, you may need to contact your SAP administrator.
  
  
  Review Configuration Settings: If this error occurs frequently, it may be worth reviewing the configuration settings in your SAP system to understand why deletion indicators are being set and whether this behavior is appropriate for your business processes.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes for managing master data, such as MM02, BP, or others depending on the data type.
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any specific guidance or patches related to this error message.
  Documentation: Review SAP documentation or user manuals related to data management and deletion indicators for more context on how they function within your specific SAP environment.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to address the error message 40018 effectively.