How To Fix /IAM/CONFIG_INT138 - Document type &1 cannot be deleted because it is still in use

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: /IAM/CONFIG_INT -

• Message number: 138

• Message text: Document type &1 cannot be deleted because it is still in use

Self-Explanatory Message

Since SAP believes that this specific error message is 'self-explanatory,' no more information has been given.The majority of messages in the SAP system have a message text, however this is frequently insufficient to comprehend or resolve the problem.

To make things easier, more detailed information is frequently added to describe the issue, how to fix it, and the necessary steps or configuration modifications.

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message /IAM/CONFIG_INT138 - Document type &1 cannot be deleted because it is still in use ?

  The SAP error message /IAM/CONFIG_INT138 Document type &1 cannot be deleted because it is still in use indicates that you are trying to delete a document type that is currently being utilized in the system. This could be due to existing documents or configurations that reference the document type you are attempting to delete.
  Cause:
  
  Existing Documents: There are existing documents (e.g., invoices, purchase orders) that have been created using the document type you are trying to delete.
  Configuration Dependencies: The document type may be linked to other configurations or settings within the SAP system, making it ineligible for deletion.
  Active Processes: There may be active processes or workflows that are still using the document type.
  
  Solution:
  
  
  Identify Usage: 
  
  Check for any existing documents that are using the document type. You can do this by running reports or queries to find all documents associated with that document type.
  Use transaction codes like SE16 or SE11 to look into relevant database tables (e.g., BKPF for accounting documents) to find references to the document type.
  
  
  
  Delete or Archive Documents: 
  
  If you find documents that are using the document type, you will need to either delete them (if appropriate) or archive them, depending on your organization's data retention policies.
  
  
  
  Check Configuration: 
  
  Review the configuration settings in the relevant modules (e.g., Financial Accounting, Controlling) to ensure that there are no dependencies on the document type.
  Use transaction SPRO to navigate to the relevant configuration settings and check for any links to the document type.
  
  
  
  Consult Documentation: 
  
  Refer to SAP documentation or your organization's internal documentation for guidelines on managing document types and their dependencies.
  
  
  
  Contact Support: 
  
  If you are unable to resolve the issue, consider reaching out to your SAP support team or consulting with an SAP expert for further assistance.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes such as SE16, SE11, SPRO, and others that can help you investigate the issue.
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any known issues or additional guidance related to document types and deletion processes.
  User Permissions: Ensure that you have the necessary permissions to delete document types and that you are following your organization's change management processes.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to identify the cause of the error and take appropriate action to resolve it.