How To Fix ME556 - Please delete sub-items of category &1 via the main item

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: ME - Purchasing: General Messages

• Message number: 556

• Message text: Please delete sub-items of category &1 via the main item

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.

Unfortunately, there isn't any extra information in this error notice.

What else can you do?

First, use our AnswerBot below to get a possible cause and solution (requires a premium subscription).

Also, review the in-depth Common Questions & Answers listed below; you could discover a solution there or be able to connect with others who have faced similar challenges.

You can also try searching the SAP support portal (support.sap.com) but you need a special user ID to access it. It is possible that an SAP support note exists that provides additional details about the mistake or even steps for fixing it.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message ME556 - Please delete sub-items of category &1 via the main item ?

  The SAP error message ME556 indicates that there are sub-items associated with a main item in a purchasing document (like a purchase order) that need to be deleted before the main item can be deleted. This error typically occurs when you attempt to delete a main item in a purchasing document that has dependent sub-items.
  Cause:
  The error occurs because SAP enforces data integrity rules that prevent the deletion of a main item if there are still sub-items linked to it. Sub-items are often used to represent different aspects or components of a main item, and deleting the main item without addressing the sub-items could lead to inconsistencies in the purchasing document.
  Solution:
  To resolve the ME556 error, you need to follow these steps:
  
  
  Identify Sub-items: Check the purchasing document to identify the sub-items associated with the main item you are trying to delete. You can do this by displaying the purchase order and looking at the item details.
  
  
  Delete Sub-items: Once you have identified the sub-items, you need to delete them first. This can typically be done by:
  
  Navigating to the item overview in the purchasing document.
  Selecting the sub-items you want to delete.
  Using the delete function (usually a button or menu option) to remove the selected sub-items.
  
  
  
  Delete Main Item: After successfully deleting all associated sub-items, you can then proceed to delete the main item without encountering the ME556 error.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: You can use transaction codes like ME22N (Change Purchase Order) or ME23N (Display Purchase Order) to manage purchasing documents.
  Data Integrity: Understanding the relationships between main items and sub-items is crucial for maintaining data integrity in SAP.
  Documentation: Refer to SAP Help documentation or your organization's SAP training materials for more detailed instructions on managing purchasing documents.
  
  If you continue to experience issues after following these steps, it may be helpful to consult with your SAP support team or refer to SAP Notes for any specific patches or updates related to this error.