How To Fix F5A031 - Document cannot be deleted, has already been printed

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: F5A - Document Editing

• Message number: 031

• Message text: Document cannot be deleted, has already been printed

How to fix this error?

A document that was already printed should only be reversed when taking
the corresponding expression into account.

What causes this issue?

The cash journal document cannot be deleted since a receipt has already
been printed for this document. In accordance with proper accounting
procedures, the deletion of this document is not allowed.

System Response

The document is not deleted and remains in the system.

How to fix this error?

Procedure for System Administrators

INCLUDE 'CUSTOMIZED_MESSAGE_INFO' OBJECT DOKU ID TX

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 F5A031 - Document cannot be deleted, has already been printed ?

  The SAP error message F5A031 indicates that a document cannot be deleted because it has already been printed. This is a common issue in SAP systems, particularly in financial and logistics modules, where printed documents are often locked to prevent accidental deletion after they have been processed.
  Cause:
  
  Document Status: The document in question has a status that indicates it has been printed. This status prevents deletion to maintain data integrity and ensure that printed records are not lost.
  Business Process Compliance: Many organizations have policies that require printed documents to be retained for auditing and compliance purposes, which is enforced by the system.
  
  Solution:
  To resolve this error, you can consider the following approaches:
  
  
  Check Document Status: Verify the status of the document. If it is indeed printed and you need to delete it, you may need to change its status first. This might involve reversing the print action or changing the document's status through specific transaction codes or custom programs.
  
  
  Use Transaction Codes:
  
  FB08: If the document is a financial document, you can use this transaction to reverse the document instead of deleting it.
  FBRA: For reversing a cleared document.
  SE38: If you have custom programs that allow you to change the status of printed documents, you can run them here.
  
  
  
  Consult with Your SAP Administrator: If you do not have the necessary permissions or if the document needs to be deleted for a valid reason, consult with your SAP administrator or support team. They may have the ability to change the document status or provide a workaround.
  
  
  Custom Development: In some cases, organizations may have custom development that allows for the deletion of printed documents under certain conditions. Check if such a solution exists in your SAP environment.
  
  
  Documentation and Policies: Review your organization's policies regarding document retention and deletion. Ensure that any actions taken comply with these policies.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any specific guidance or patches related to this error message. SAP frequently updates its documentation and may have specific recommendations for your version of the software.
  
  
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes that may help in managing document statuses, such as:
  
  FB03: Display Document
  FBL1N: Vendor Line Item Display
  FBL3N: G/L Account Line Item Display
  FBL5N: Customer Line Item Display
  
  
  
  User Roles and Permissions: Ensure that you have the appropriate roles and permissions to perform actions on the document in question.
  
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to address the F5A031 error and manage your documents effectively within the SAP system.