How To Fix AO188 - Variant &1 cannot be deleted, since it is assigned to version &2 &3

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: AO - Appropriation requests - Master data / Customizing

• Message number: 188

• Message text: Variant &1 cannot be deleted, since it is assigned to version &2 &3

What causes this issue?

You want to delete variant &V1&. Variant &V1&, however, is assigned to
version &V2& in approval year &V3&. Variants that are assigned cannot
be deleted.

System Response

How to fix this error?

You can delete the variant only if you are authorized to remove all
assignments of this variant to plan versions. To do so, remove all
entries for variant &V1& on the 'plan versions' tab page.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message AO188 - Variant &1 cannot be deleted, since it is assigned to version &2 &3 ?

  The SAP error message AO188 indicates that you are trying to delete a variant (identified by &1) that is currently assigned to a version (identified by &2) in the system. This is a common issue when working with variants in SAP, particularly in the context of planning and reporting.
  Cause:
  The error occurs because the variant you are attempting to delete is still in use or linked to a specific version. In SAP, variants are often used to store specific settings or parameters for reports, and if they are assigned to a version, they cannot be deleted until that assignment is removed.
  Solution:
  To resolve this error, you need to follow these steps:
  
  
  Identify the Version: Determine which version (&2) the variant (&1) is assigned to. You can do this by checking the version management in the relevant application (e.g., SAP BW, SAP BPC, etc.).
  
  
  Remove the Assignment:
  
  Navigate to the version management screen where the variant is assigned.
  Locate the variant and remove its assignment from the version. This may involve editing the version settings or configuration.
  
  
  
  Delete the Variant: Once the variant is no longer assigned to any version, you should be able to delete it without encountering the error.
  
  
  Check for Other Dependencies: Ensure that the variant is not linked to any other objects or processes that might prevent its deletion.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  
  Transaction Codes: Depending on the context (e.g., BW, BPC), you may use different transaction codes to manage versions and variants. Common transaction codes include:
  
  RSVARIANT for managing variants in BW.
  BPC for Business Planning and Consolidation.
  
  
  
  Documentation: Refer to SAP Help documentation for detailed instructions on managing variants and versions specific to your SAP module.
  
  
  User Permissions: Ensure that you have the necessary permissions to modify or delete variants and versions in the system.
  
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the AO188 error and successfully delete the variant in question.