How To Fix C1851 - Value "&" cannot be deleted

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: C1 - Characteristics maintenance messages

• Message number: 851

• Message text: Value "&" cannot be deleted

What causes this issue?

In the part of the hierarchy you are editing, you want to delete value
'&V1&'. However, this value is assigned to the characteristic in a
subordinate section of the hierarchy. To maintain consistency of data,
you are not allowed to delete this value.

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?

Do not delete characteristic value '&V1&'. If you really want to delete
the value in this branch of the hierarchy, you have to change the
subordinate branches in the hierarchy first. Once the value does not
exist in these subordinate branches, you can delete the value.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message C1851 - Value "&" cannot be deleted ?

  The SAP error message C1851, which states "Value '&' cannot be deleted," typically occurs when you attempt to delete a value from a table or a list in SAP that is either being used or is not allowed to be deleted due to certain constraints.
  Causes:
  
  
  Value in Use: The value you are trying to delete is currently being referenced in other transactions or records. For example, if the value is part of a configuration, master data, or transactional data, it cannot be deleted until those references are removed.
  
  
  System Restrictions: Some values are protected by the system due to business rules or configurations. For instance, certain standard values or key entries may be locked from deletion to maintain data integrity.
  
  
  Authorization Issues: You may not have the necessary permissions to delete the value, which can lead to this error message.
  
  
  Data Consistency: The system may prevent deletion to maintain data consistency across related tables or modules.
  
  
  Solutions:
  
  
  Check References: Investigate where the value is being used. You can use transaction codes like SE11 (Data Dictionary) or SE16 (Data Browser) to check if the value exists in other tables or is being referenced in other transactions.
  
  
  Remove Dependencies: If the value is being used, you may need to delete or modify the dependent records first before attempting to delete the value.
  
  
  Review Authorizations: Ensure that you have the necessary authorizations to perform the delete operation. You may need to contact your SAP security administrator to check your permissions.
  
  
  Consult Documentation: Review the relevant SAP documentation or help files for the specific module you are working with to understand any restrictions on deleting values.
  
  
  Use Transaction Codes: If applicable, use specific transaction codes related to the module you are working with to manage values (e.g., customizing transactions).
  
  
  Contact Support: If you are unable to resolve the issue, consider reaching out to your SAP support team or consulting SAP Notes for any known issues related to this error.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any specific guidance or patches related to this error message.
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes that may help in managing the data you are working with.
  Data Integrity: Understand the importance of data integrity in SAP and the implications of deleting values.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to identify the cause of the error and take appropriate action to resolve it.