How To Fix 88490 - Article references still exist; deletion is not possible

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: 88 - REA Processing

• Message number: 490

• Message text: Article references still exist; deletion is not possible

Self-Explanatory Message

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message 88490 - Article references still exist; deletion is not possible ?

  The SAP error message "88490 Article references still exist; deletion is not possible" typically occurs when you attempt to delete an article (material) in the SAP system, but there are still references to that article in various places. This is a safeguard to prevent the deletion of data that is still in use, which could lead to inconsistencies in the system.
  Causes:
  
  Open Purchase Orders: The article may be referenced in open purchase orders.
  Sales Orders: There may be sales orders that include the article.
  Stock in Inventory: The article might have stock that is still available in the inventory.
  Material Master Data: There could be links to the article in the material master data, such as BOMs (Bill of Materials) or routing.
  Accounting Documents: There may be accounting documents that reference the article.
  Other Transactions: The article could be involved in other transactions, such as production orders or delivery documents.
  
  Solutions:
  
  Check References: Use transaction codes like ME2N (for purchase orders), VA03 (for sales orders), or MB52 (for stock overview) to check where the article is still being referenced.
  Delete Related Documents: If you find any open purchase orders, sales orders, or stock, you may need to delete or close those documents before you can delete the article.
  Change Status: If the article is marked as "blocked" or "inactive," you may need to change its status instead of deleting it.
  Use Transaction MM06: If you want to deactivate the material instead of deleting it, you can use transaction MM06 to mark the material as inactive.
  Consult with Your Team: If you are unsure about the implications of deleting the article, consult with your team or a SAP expert to ensure that you are not affecting any critical processes.
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes such as:
  
  MM03: Display Material
  MM02: Change Material
  MM06: Mark Material for Deletion
  ME2N: Purchase Orders by Material
  VA03: Display Sales Order
  MB52: List Warehouse Stocks on Hand
  
  
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any specific guidance or patches related to this error message.
  Documentation: Review SAP documentation for material management to understand the implications of deleting materials and the processes involved.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to identify the references preventing the deletion of the article and take appropriate action to resolve the issue.