How To Fix FMKU058 - Documents with external references cannot be deleted

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: FMKU - FM budgeting, kernel utilities

• Message number: 058

• Message text: Documents with external references cannot be deleted

What causes this issue?

The documents (see the detail list) have been created by an external
application (not by BCS tools). Thus it is not possible to delete using
the BCS deletion tool, as it would lead to inconsistencies.

System Response

Deletion is stopped.

How to fix this error?

You must first reverse these documents, after which you will be able to
delete them. These documents should be reversed by the external
application which created them. This ensures that the original
documents will also be reversed.

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 FMKU058 - Documents with external references cannot be deleted ?

  The SAP error message FMKU058 indicates that you are trying to delete a document that has external references, which is not allowed. This typically occurs in the context of Financial Management (FM) or Funds Management (FM) modules in SAP, where certain documents are linked to other documents or transactions, making them non-deletable.
  Cause:
  
  External References: The document you are attempting to delete has been referenced by other documents or transactions. This could include commitments, obligations, or other financial documents that rely on the existence of the document in question.
  Document Status: The document may be in a status that does not allow deletion, such as being posted or having been processed in some way.
  Configuration Settings: The system may be configured to prevent the deletion of documents with external references to maintain data integrity.
  
  Solution:
  
  Identify References: Use transaction codes like FMX1 (Display Commitment) or FMX2 (Display Document) to check for any existing references to the document you are trying to delete. You may need to trace back to find where the external references are coming from.
  Remove References: If possible, remove or adjust the external references that are preventing the deletion. This may involve reversing transactions or adjusting commitments.
  Change Document Status: If the document is in a status that prevents deletion, you may need to change its status or reverse any related transactions before attempting to delete it again.
  Consult with SAP Support: If you are unable to resolve the issue, consider reaching out to your SAP support team or consulting SAP documentation for further assistance.
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes in SAP for managing financial documents, such as FMX1, FMX2, and others related to Funds Management.
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any known issues or updates related to this error message. SAP Notes can provide additional context or solutions for specific scenarios.
  User Permissions: Ensure that you have the necessary permissions to delete documents in the system, as restrictions may also lead to errors.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to identify the cause of the error and take appropriate action to resolve it.