How To Fix CL176 - Characteristics are not allowed in catalog classes, so delete the catalog

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: CL - Classification

• Message number: 176

• Message text: Characteristics are not allowed in catalog classes, so delete the catalog

What causes this issue?

On the basic data screen, you chose a catalog for finding objects. You
cannot define characteristics for a catalog class, because the search
function uses the catalog, not characteristics.

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?

If you want to assign characteristics to the class, delete the catalog.

Procedure for System Administrators

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message CL176 - Characteristics are not allowed in catalog classes, so delete the catalog ?

  The SAP error message CL176 indicates that there are characteristics assigned to a catalog class, which is not permitted in the SAP system. Catalog classes are used in classification systems to group characteristics, and they should not contain characteristics themselves. This error typically arises when you attempt to create or modify a catalog class that has characteristics assigned to it.
  Cause:
  
  Improper Assignment: Characteristics have been incorrectly assigned to a catalog class.
  System Configuration: The system is configured to prevent characteristics from being associated with catalog classes.
  
  Solution:
  To resolve this error, you need to remove the characteristics from the catalog class. Here are the steps to do this:
  
  
  Access the Classification System:
  
  Go to the SAP Easy Access screen.
  Navigate to the classification system (Transaction code: CL02 for changing classes).
  
  
  
  Locate the Catalog Class:
  
  Enter the name of the catalog class that is causing the error.
  Click on the "Display" button to view the details of the class.
  
  
  
  Remove Characteristics:
  
  In the class details, check the "Characteristics" tab.
  Identify any characteristics that are assigned to the catalog class.
  Select the characteristics and delete them.
  
  
  
  Save Changes:
  
  After removing the characteristics, save your changes.
  
  
  
  Re-test the Operation:
  
  Try to perform the operation that previously resulted in the error to ensure that the issue has been resolved.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Classification System: Understand the difference between catalog classes and characteristic classes in SAP. Catalog classes are used for grouping, while characteristic classes are used to define specific attributes.
  Documentation: Refer to SAP Help documentation for more details on classification and characteristics.
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes such as CL01 (Create Class), CL02 (Change Class), and CL03 (Display Class) for managing classes in the classification system.
  
  If the problem persists after following these steps, it may be beneficial to consult with your SAP administrator or technical support for further assistance.