How To Fix EM463 - User &2 in client &3 is blocking catalog &1: display only

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: EM - IS-U Migration

• Message number: 463

• Message text: User &2 in client &3 is blocking catalog &1: display only

Self-Explanatory Message

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message EM463 - User &2 in client &3 is blocking catalog &1: display only ?

  The SAP error message EM463 indicates that a specific user is blocking a catalog in a particular client, and as a result, the catalog can only be displayed and not modified. This situation typically arises in the context of SAP's Material Management (MM) or similar modules where catalogs are used for procurement or inventory management.
  Cause:
  The error message EM463 is triggered when:
  
  A user (identified as &2) has locked the catalog (identified as &1) in the specified client (identified as &3). 
  This lock could be due to various reasons, such as the user being in the process of editing the catalog, or the catalog being in a state that requires exclusive access (e.g., during a data migration or update process).
  
  Solution:
  To resolve this issue, you can take the following steps:
  
  
  Identify the User: Determine who the user is that is blocking the catalog. You can check the user sessions in the SAP system to see if the user is currently logged in and has the catalog open.
  
  
  Communicate with the User: If possible, contact the user to ask them to close the catalog or complete their task. This is the simplest solution if the user is available.
  
  
  Check for Background Jobs: Sometimes, background jobs may be running that are locking the catalog. Check the job status in transaction SM37 to see if any jobs are currently processing that might be causing the lock.
  
  
  Use Transaction SM12: You can use transaction SM12 to check for and delete any locks held by the user. Be cautious when doing this, as removing locks can lead to data inconsistencies if the user is actively working on the catalog.
  
  
  Wait for Automatic Release: If the lock is due to a temporary process, it may be released automatically after a certain period. You can wait and try accessing the catalog again later.
  
  
  System Administrator Intervention: If the issue persists and you cannot resolve it, you may need to involve a system administrator or SAP Basis team to investigate further. They can check for any system-level issues or configurations that might be causing the lock.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes such as SM12 (for lock entries), SM37 (for job monitoring), and SU01 (for user management).
  Documentation: Review SAP documentation or notes related to catalog management and locking mechanisms to understand better how locks are managed in your specific SAP environment.
  User Training: If this issue occurs frequently, consider providing training to users on how to properly manage catalogs and avoid leaving them in a locked state.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to address the EM463 error and restore normal access to the catalog.