How To Fix E9218 - You cannot not delete address (external address number &1)

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: E9 - General IS-U Error Messages

• Message number: 218

• Message text: You cannot not delete address (external address number &1)

What causes this issue?

You tried to delete the address of a business partner that was copied
from the connection object address during the move-in. This is not
allowed.

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 E9218 - You cannot not delete address (external address number &1) ?

  The SAP error message E9218, which states "You cannot delete address (external address number &1)," typically occurs when you attempt to delete an address that is still being referenced or used in the system. This can happen in various contexts, such as customer master data, vendor master data, or other related entities.
  Cause:
  
  Active References: The address you are trying to delete is still linked to active business partners, transactions, or documents in the system.
  Data Integrity Constraints: SAP enforces data integrity rules to prevent the deletion of addresses that are still in use, ensuring that no orphaned records are left in the database.
  Authorization Issues: In some cases, the user may not have the necessary permissions to delete the address.
  
  Solution:
  
  
  Check References: Before attempting to delete the address, check if it is being used in any active transactions or linked to any business partners. You can do this by:
  
  Reviewing customer or vendor records that may be using the address.
  Checking related documents (e.g., sales orders, purchase orders) that might reference the address.
  
  
  
  Remove References: If you find that the address is still in use, you will need to:
  
  Update or delete the references to the address in the relevant records.
  Ensure that all transactions that might be using the address are either completed or updated to use a different address.
  
  
  
  Use Transaction Codes: You can use transaction codes like BP (Business Partner) or XD02/VD02 (Change Customer) to modify or remove the address from the relevant business partner or customer/vendor records.
  
  
  Check Authorizations: Ensure that you have the necessary authorizations to delete addresses. If you suspect authorization issues, consult with your SAP security team.
  
  
  Consult Documentation: If the issue persists, refer to SAP documentation or consult with your SAP support team for further assistance.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes for managing addresses, such as BP, XD01, XD02, VD01, VD02, etc.
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any known issues or additional guidance related to this error message.
  Data Model: Understanding the data model and how addresses are linked to business partners can help in troubleshooting similar issues in the future.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the error and successfully delete the address if it is no longer in use.