How To Fix CL081 - You cannot delete this because subordinate classes exist

CL081 - Overview

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: CL - Classification

• Message number: 081

• Message text: You cannot delete this because subordinate classes exist

What causes this issue?

You want to delete a class or characteristic.
However, subordinate classes are still allocated to this class, so you
cannot delete the class or characteristic. This would lead to
inconsistencies in <DS:GLOS.characteristic_inheritance>characteristic
inheritance</>.

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?

<ZH>Delete characteristic</>
Choose <ZH>Edit -> Special functions -> Delete char w. values</> to
delete the characteristic from a <DS:GLOS.class_hierarchy>class
hierarchy</>. You can only do this if no values are assigned to the
characteristic in the class hierarchy. This function is only available
on the initial screen of class maintenance.
If your hierarchy is very large or has large numbers of allocations, it
may be advisable to run this function in the background, in order to
avoid runtime errors.
If the characteristic has values assigned to it in subordinate classes
or for objects allocated to the classes, it cannot be deleted. In
this case, you can only try to first delete the characteristic values in
the class hierarchy and then delete the characteristic.
<ZH>Delete class</>
You can only delete the class after deleting all its object allocations
from the class hierarchy.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message CL081 - You cannot delete this because subordinate classes exist ?

  The SAP error message CL081, which states "You cannot delete this because subordinate classes exist," typically occurs when you attempt to delete a class in the ABAP Workbench (transaction SE24) that has subclasses or derived classes associated with it. In object-oriented programming within SAP, a class can have subclasses that inherit its properties and methods. If you try to delete a parent class that has subclasses, the system prevents this action to maintain the integrity of the class hierarchy.
  
  Cause:
  
  The class you are trying to delete has one or more subclasses that depend on it.
  The class is part of a hierarchy, and deleting it would break the relationship with its subclasses.
  
  
  Solution:
  To resolve this error, you can follow these steps:
  
  
  Identify Subordinate Classes:
  
  Use transaction SE24 to display the class you want to delete.
  Check the "Subclasses" tab to see which subclasses are derived from the class.
  
  
  
  Delete Subordinate Classes:
  
  If you are sure that you no