How To Fix 5B173 - Records with time constraint 1 cannot be deleted

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: 5B -

• Message number: 173

• Message text: Records with time constraint 1 cannot be deleted

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

How to fix this error?

If infotypes overlap, run the report RHUNIT00. If other infotype
records are incorrect, use one of the following reports:
<DS:RE.RHBEGDA0>Set New Start Date</> (RHBEGDA0)
<DS:RE.RHGRENZ1>Set New End Date</> (RHGRENZ1)
<DS:RE.RHGRENZ4>Set New End Date</> (RHGRENZ4)

Procedure for System Administrators

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message 5B173 - Records with time constraint 1 cannot be deleted ?

  The SAP error message 5B173 indicates that you are trying to delete records that are subject to a time constraint, specifically time constraint 1. This typically means that the records you are attempting to delete are still valid or active within a certain time frame, and SAP prevents their deletion to maintain data integrity.
  Cause:
  
  Time Constraint 1: This constraint means that the records are still valid and cannot be deleted because they are linked to a time-dependent object (like a personnel record, master data, etc.) that is still active.
  Data Integrity: SAP enforces these constraints to ensure that historical data remains intact and that the relationships between different data objects are preserved.
  
  Solution:
  To resolve this error, you can consider the following approaches:
  
  
  Check Validity Period: Review the validity period of the records you are trying to delete. If they are still within their active period, you will need to either:
  
  Change the validity period to make them inactive.
  Wait until the records are no longer valid before attempting to delete them.
  
  
  
  Use Change Instead of Delete: If you need to remove the record from active use but still want to keep the historical data, consider changing the record's status instead of deleting it. This can often be done by marking it as inactive.
  
  
  Consult Documentation: Refer to the specific SAP module documentation related to the records you are working with. There may be specific procedures or guidelines for handling records with time constraints.
  
  
  Authorization: Ensure that you have the necessary authorizations to perform deletion actions in the system. Sometimes, lack of permissions can also lead to errors.
  
  
  Contact Support: If you are unsure about the implications of deleting the records or if you believe the records should be deletable, consider reaching out to your SAP support team or consulting with an SAP expert.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: Depending on the module, you may be using different transaction codes (e.g., PA30 for HR master data, MM02 for material master data) to manage records.
  Time Constraints: Familiarize yourself with the concept of time constraints in SAP, as they are crucial for understanding how data integrity is maintained.
  Data Archiving: If the records are no longer needed for day-to-day operations but must be retained for compliance or historical purposes, consider using SAP's data archiving features instead of deletion.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to address the error message and manage your records appropriately within SAP.