How To Fix 5N261 - Activity &1 is not a free activity; deletion not allowed

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: 5N - HR NL: Error Messages for Infotype Module Pools (NL)

• Message number: 261

• Message text: Activity &1 is not a free activity; deletion not allowed

What causes this issue?

You have tried to delete activity &V1&. This is not allowed because
activity &V1& is of the type 'Statutory' or 'Mandatory'. Only free
activities can be deleted.

System Response

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

How to fix this error?

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 5N261 - Activity &1 is not a free activity; deletion not allowed ?

  The SAP error message 5N261 indicates that you are trying to delete an activity that is not marked as a free activity in the system. This typically occurs in the context of project management or activity management within SAP, where certain activities are locked or have dependencies that prevent their deletion.
  Cause:
  
  Activity Status: The activity you are trying to delete may be part of a project or network that has already been processed or has dependencies.
  Dependencies: The activity might be linked to other activities, milestones, or resources, making it non-deletable.
  Project Type: Some project types or structures may have restrictions on deleting certain activities.
  Authorization Issues: You may not have the necessary permissions to delete the activity.
  
  Solution:
  
  Check Activity Status: Verify the status of the activity. If it is in progress or completed, you may need to change its status or find an alternative way to manage it.
  Review Dependencies: Look for any dependencies linked to the activity. If there are dependent activities, you may need to delete or modify them first.
  Use Alternative Methods: Instead of deleting the activity, consider marking it as inactive or adjusting its parameters to reflect that it should no longer be used.
  Authorization Check: Ensure that you have the necessary permissions to delete activities. If not, contact your SAP administrator to gain the required access.
  Consult Documentation: Refer to SAP documentation or your organization's guidelines for managing activities within your specific project management module.
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: You may be using transaction codes like CJ20N (Project Builder) or CN41 (Project Structure Overview) to manage activities.
  SAP Notes: Check for any relevant SAP Notes that might address specific issues related to activity management in your version of SAP.
  Support: If the issue persists, consider reaching out to your SAP support team or consulting with an SAP expert for further assistance.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to address the error message and manage your activities effectively within SAP.