How To Fix ME571 - Account assignment category cannot be changed in higher-level items

ME571 - Overview

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: ME - Purchasing: General Messages

• Message number: 571

• Message text: Account assignment category cannot be changed in higher-level items

Self-Explanatory Message

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• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message ME571 - Account assignment category cannot be changed in higher-level items ?

  The SAP error message ME571, which states "Account assignment category cannot be changed in higher-level items," typically occurs in the context of purchasing documents, such as purchase orders or purchase requisitions. This error arises when there is an attempt to change the account assignment category of a higher-level item (like a header item) that has already been defined in a way that does not allow for such changes.
  
  Cause:
  
  
  Hierarchy Structure: In SAP, items in a purchase order can have a hierarchical structure. Higher-level items (like a main item) can have sub-items (like components or services). The account assignment category (e.g., whether the item is a cost center, internal order, etc.) is defined at the higher level and cannot be changed if there are dependent lower-level items.
  
  
  Existing Assignments: If the higher-level item has already been assigned a specific account assignment category, changing it may conflict with the existing assignments of the lower-level