How To Fix CRM_DOC_FLOW006 - Not possible to delete, a reference exists to a subsequent item

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: CRM_DOC_FLOW - Output for document flow

• Message number: 006

• Message text: Not possible to delete, a reference exists to a subsequent item

What causes this issue?

You have attempted to delete a document. This is not possible, as a
follow-up document exists.

System Response

The item is not deleted.

How to fix this error?

Delete all follow-up documents, and repeat the delete transaction.

Procedure for System Administrators

The system issues an error message and will not allow you to continue with this transaction until the error is resolved.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message CRM_DOC_FLOW006 - Not possible to delete, a reference exists to a subsequent item ?

  The SAP error message CRM_DOC_FLOW006 indicates that you are trying to delete a document or item in the CRM system, but the system has detected that there is a reference to a subsequent item. This means that the item you are attempting to delete is linked to another item that depends on it, and therefore, the deletion cannot proceed.
  Cause:
  
  Dependent Items: The item you are trying to delete has one or more subsequent items that rely on it. For example, if you have a sales order with multiple line items, and you try to delete a line item that has been referenced in a follow-up document (like a delivery or invoice), the system will prevent the deletion.
  Document Flow: The error is often related to the document flow in SAP CRM, where documents are interlinked. If a document is part of a chain of documents, deleting one document in the chain can disrupt the integrity of the entire flow.
  
  Solution:
  
  Check Document Flow: Review the document flow for the item you are trying to delete. You can do this by navigating to the relevant transaction in SAP and checking the related documents. Identify any subsequent items that reference the item you want to delete.
  Delete Dependent Items First: If you find that there are dependent items, you will need to delete those first before you can delete the original item. Ensure that you follow the correct order of deletion based on the document flow.
  Use Transaction Codes: You can use transaction codes like CRM_ORDER or CRM_DNO_MONITOR to analyze the document flow and identify dependencies.
  Consult with Your Team: If you are unsure about the implications of deleting certain items, consult with your team or a functional consultant to ensure that you do not disrupt any business processes.
  System Configuration: In some cases, the system configuration may prevent deletion due to business rules. Check with your SAP administrator or functional consultant to see if there are any settings that need to be adjusted.
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any specific guidance or patches related to this error message. Sometimes, there may be known issues or updates that can help resolve the problem.
  Documentation: Refer to SAP documentation for CRM document management and flow to understand how documents are interrelated and the best practices for managing them.
  Training: If you frequently encounter this error, consider training sessions on document management in SAP CRM to better understand how to navigate and manage document flows.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the CRM_DOC_FLOW006 error and successfully manage your documents in SAP.