How To Fix COM_HIERARCHY021 - 'Automatic no. assignment' cannot be changed as categories exist

COM_HIERARCHY021 - Overview

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: COM_HIERARCHY - Hierarchy

• Message number: 021

• Message text: 'Automatic no. assignment' cannot be changed as categories exist

Self-Explanatory Message

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To make things easier, more detailed information is frequently added to describe the issue, how to fix it, and the necessary steps or configuration modifications.

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message COM_HIERARCHY021 - 'Automatic no. assignment' cannot be changed as categories exist ?

  The SAP error message COM_HIERARCHY021 indicates that there is an issue with the automatic number assignment for a hierarchy in the SAP system. Specifically, it means that the system is unable to change the automatic number assignment setting because there are existing categories that depend on this setting.
  
  Cause:
  The error occurs when you attempt to change the automatic number assignment for a hierarchy (such as a cost center hierarchy or a profit center hierarchy) while there are already existing categories or elements that have been assigned numbers based on the current settings. The system prevents this change to maintain data integrity and consistency.
  
  Solution:
  To resolve this error, you can follow these steps:
  
  
  Check Existing Categories: Review the existing categories or elements in the hierarchy to understand which ones are currently using the automatic number assignment.
  
  
  Remove Dependencies: If possible, remove or reassign the existing categories that are dependent on the automatic number assignment. This