How To Fix 88487 - Deletion of the only version of article &1 &2 &3 &4 is not possible

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: 88 - REA Processing

• Message number: 487

• Message text: Deletion of the only version of article &1 &2 &3 &4 is not possible

What causes this issue?

You want to delete the only / last remaining version of the packaging
assignments for the article. That is not possible, because the article
would then no longer be defined for recycling processing.

How to fix this error?

If you want to delete the article for the selected unit of measure in
the relevant company code from REA article management, select the
article for deletion in the initial screen of the change transaction.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message 88487 - Deletion of the only version of article &1 &2 &3 &4 is not possible ?

  The SAP error message 88487, which states "Deletion of the only version of article &1 &2 &3 &4 is not possible," typically occurs when you attempt to delete an article (material) that has only one version in the system. This error is common in scenarios involving material management, especially when dealing with articles in the SAP Retail or SAP S/4HANA environments.
  Cause:
  The error arises because the system does not allow the deletion of the only version of an article. This is a safeguard to prevent the accidental removal of critical data that could affect inventory management, sales, and other related processes. The article in question is identified by the parameters &1, &2, &3, and &4, which usually represent the article number, plant, sales organization, and distribution channel, respectively.
  Solution:
  To resolve this error, you have a few options:
  
  
  Check for Other Versions: Before attempting to delete the article, check if there are any other versions of the article available. If there are, you can delete those versions first.
  
  
  Change the Article Status: If the article is no longer needed, consider changing its status to inactive instead of deleting it. This way, it will not be used in transactions but will still be retained in the system for historical purposes.
  
  
  Create a New Version: If you need to delete the article, you can create a new version of the article first. Once a new version is created, you can then delete the old version.
  
  
  Consult Documentation: Review the relevant SAP documentation or help files for more detailed instructions on managing articles and versions.
  
  
  Contact SAP Support: If you are unable to resolve the issue through the above methods, consider reaching out to SAP support for assistance. They can provide guidance based on your specific system configuration and requirements.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with transaction codes related to material management, such as MM01 (Create Material), MM02 (Change Material), and MM03 (Display Material).
  Material Master Data: Understand the structure and importance of material master data in SAP, as it plays a crucial role in inventory and procurement processes.
  User Authorizations: Ensure that you have the necessary authorizations to perform deletion or changes to material data in the system.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to address the error message and manage your article versions effectively.