How To Fix ILM_ADMIN006 - Selected variant &1 is already being used in a write job

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: ILM_ADMIN - Messages for the Archiving Work Center

• Message number: 006

• Message text: Selected variant &1 is already being used in a write job

Self-Explanatory Message

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message ILM_ADMIN006 - Selected variant &1 is already being used in a write job ?

  The SAP error message ILM_ADMIN006 indicates that the selected variant (identified by &1) is currently being used in a write job. This typically occurs in the context of Information Lifecycle Management (ILM) when you attempt to execute a job or process that requires a variant that is already in use.
  Cause:
  The error is caused by trying to execute a job or process that references a variant that is already active in another job. In SAP, variants are used to store parameters for report execution, and if a variant is locked by an ongoing job, it cannot be used again until that job is completed.
  Solution:
  To resolve this issue, you can take the following steps:
  
  
  Check Active Jobs:
  
  Go to transaction code SM37 (Job Monitoring) to check for any active jobs that are using the variant in question.
  Look for jobs that are currently running or scheduled and identify if they are using the same variant.
  
  
  
  Wait for Completion:
  
  If you find that the job is currently running, you may need to wait for it to complete before you can use the variant again.
  
  
  
  Terminate the Job:
  
  If the job is stuck or you need to stop it for any reason, you can terminate it from the SM37 transaction. However, be cautious with this approach as it may lead to data inconsistencies or other issues.
  
  
  
  Use a Different Variant:
  
  If waiting or terminating the job is not feasible, consider using a different variant for your operation that does not conflict with the one currently in use.
  
  
  
  Check Job Scheduling:
  
  If this is a recurring issue, review the scheduling of jobs that use the same variant to avoid conflicts in the future.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  
  Transaction Codes:
  
  SM37: Job Monitoring
  SE38: Execute Program (to run reports with variants)
  
  
  
  Documentation:
  
  Refer to SAP Help documentation for Information Lifecycle Management for more details on managing variants and jobs.
  
  
  
  Best Practices:
  
  Regularly monitor job schedules and variants to prevent conflicts.
  Document the usage of variants in your organization to ensure that they are not used simultaneously by different processes.
  
  
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the ILM_ADMIN006 error and continue with your operations in SAP.