How To Fix 88103 - References for article & have been flagged for deletion

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: 88 - REA Processing

• Message number: 103

• Message text: References for article & have been flagged for deletion

Self-Explanatory Message

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message 88103 - References for article & have been flagged for deletion ?

  The SAP error message 88103, which states "References for article & have been flagged for deletion," typically occurs in the context of materials management or inventory management within the SAP system. This message indicates that there are references (such as purchase orders, sales orders, or stock items) associated with a material (article) that have been marked for deletion. 
  Cause:
  
  Flagged for Deletion: The material has been flagged for deletion in the system, which means it is no longer intended to be used for transactions.
  Existing References: There are still existing references to this material in various documents (like purchase orders, sales orders, etc.) that prevent it from being fully deleted.
  Data Integrity: SAP enforces data integrity, and thus it does not allow the deletion of materials that are still in use.
  
  Solution:
  
  Check References: Identify and review all existing references to the material. You can use transaction codes like ME2L (for purchase orders) or VA03 (for sales orders) to find where the material is still being referenced.
  Remove References: If possible, remove or close the references to the material. This may involve canceling purchase orders, closing sales orders, or adjusting stock levels.
  Unflag the Deletion: If the material is still needed, you can unflag it for deletion. This can be done in the material master record by navigating to the relevant views and removing the deletion flag.
  Consult Documentation: Refer to SAP documentation or help files for specific steps on how to manage material deletion and references.
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes such as MM02 (Change Material), MM03 (Display Material), and MM01 (Create Material).
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any specific patches or updates related to this error message.
  User Authorization: Ensure that you have the necessary authorizations to make changes to material records and references.
  Consult with SAP Support: If the issue persists or if you need further assistance, consider reaching out to SAP support or your internal SAP team for guidance.
  
  References:
  
  SAP Help Portal: Look for documentation related to material management and deletion processes.
  SAP Community: Engage with the SAP community forums for insights and solutions from other users who may have encountered similar issues.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the error message and manage the material references effectively.