How To Fix COM_PRCAT058 - Objects of subcategory already exist; reference indicator cannot be set

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: COM_PRCAT - Product Category

• Message number: 058

• Message text: Objects of subcategory already exist; reference indicator cannot be set

What causes this issue?

Objects of the subcategory '&V1&' already exist, so the reference
indicator cannot be set for the assignment of the set type '&V2&'.

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?

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 COM_PRCAT058 - Objects of subcategory already exist; reference indicator cannot be set ?

  The SAP error message COM_PRCAT058 indicates that you are trying to set a reference indicator for an object in a subcategory where objects of that subcategory already exist. This typically occurs in the context of managing product categories or classifications in SAP, particularly in the SAP Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) or SAP Material Management (MM) modules.
  Cause:
  The error arises when:
  
  You attempt to assign a reference indicator to a product category or classification that already has existing objects (like materials, documents, etc.) associated with it.
  The system does not allow the reference indicator to be set because it would conflict with the existing objects.
  
  Solution:
  To resolve this error, you can take the following steps:
  
  
  Check Existing Objects: 
  
  Review the objects that are currently assigned to the subcategory. You can do this by navigating to the relevant transaction or using reports to list the objects associated with the category.
  
  
  
  Remove Existing Objects:
  
  If it is appropriate, consider removing or reassigning the existing objects from the subcategory. This may involve changing the classification of materials or other objects that are currently linked to the subcategory.
  
  
  
  Change the Reference Indicator:
  
  If you cannot remove the existing objects, you may need to reconsider whether you need to set the reference indicator. If it is not essential, you can leave it unset.
  
  
  
  Consult Documentation:
  
  Review SAP documentation or help files related to product categories and reference indicators for additional context and best practices.
  
  
  
  Seek Help from SAP 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 or patches related to this error.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes such as CL02 (Change Class) or CL03 (Display Class) to manage classifications.
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any updates or specific fixes related to this error message.
  User Roles and Permissions: Ensure that you have the necessary permissions to make changes to product categories and classifications.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to address the error and proceed with your configuration or data entry tasks in SAP.