How To Fix COM_ATTRFRG_GEN196 - Attribute & cannot be deleted; already used in products

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: COM_ATTRFRG_GEN - Message Class for Generating Attributes and Sets

• Message number: 196

• Message text: Attribute & cannot be deleted; already used in products

Self-Explanatory Message

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message COM_ATTRFRG_GEN196 - Attribute & cannot be deleted; already used in products ?

  The SAP error message COM_ATTRFRG_GEN196 indicates that you are trying to delete an attribute that is currently being used in one or more products. This is a common issue when managing product attributes in SAP, particularly in the context of SAP Variant Configuration or Product Lifecycle Management (PLM).
  Cause:
  The error occurs because the attribute you are attempting to delete is linked to existing products or product variants. SAP enforces this restriction to maintain data integrity and ensure that products remain consistent and valid.
  Solution:
  To resolve this error, you can follow these steps:
  
  
  Identify Usage: Determine which products or product variants are using the attribute. You can do this by:
  
  Checking the product master data where the attribute is assigned.
  Using transaction codes like CT04 (for characteristics) or CS03 (to display a material) to see where the attribute is being used.
  
  
  
  Remove Attribute from Products: Once you have identified the products using the attribute, you need to remove the attribute from those products. This can be done by:
  
  Editing the product master data and removing the attribute from the relevant products.
  If the attribute is part of a classification, you may need to adjust the classification settings.
  
  
  
  Delete the Attribute: After ensuring that the attribute is no longer in use, you can proceed to delete the attribute from the system.
  
  
  Check for Dependencies: Ensure that there are no other dependencies or links to the attribute in other areas of the system, such as BOMs (Bill of Materials) or routing.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes such as:
  
  CT04 - Create/Change Characteristic
  CT03 - Display Characteristic
  CS01/CS02 - Create/Change BOM
  CS03 - Display BOM
  MM02 - Change Material Master
  
  
  
  Documentation: Refer to SAP documentation or help files for more detailed information on managing product attributes and characteristics.
  
  
  User Permissions: Ensure that you have the necessary permissions to make changes to product attributes and master data.
  
  
  Testing: After making changes, it’s a good practice to test the affected products to ensure that they function correctly without the deleted attribute.
  
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the error and successfully manage your product attributes in SAP.