How To Fix PA161 - Not possible to change start: Activities exist for the application

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: PA - Recruitment Messages

• Message number: 161

• Message text: Not possible to change start: Activities exist for the application

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 PA161 - Not possible to change start: Activities exist for the application ?

  The SAP error message PA161, which states "Not possible to change start: Activities exist for the application," typically occurs in the context of project management or activity management within SAP. This error indicates that there are existing activities associated with a project or task that prevent changes to the start date or other related attributes.
  Cause:
  
  Existing Activities: The primary cause of this error is that there are one or more activities linked to the project or task that you are trying to modify. These activities may have their own start dates, end dates, or other dependencies that prevent changes to the parent project or task.
  Status of Activities: If the activities are in a status that does not allow changes (e.g., completed or closed), this can also trigger the error.
  Dependencies: There may be dependencies between activities that restrict changes to the start date of the parent project or task.
  
  Solution:
  To resolve the PA161 error, you can take the following steps:
  
  
  Check Existing Activities:
  
  Navigate to the project or task in question and review the associated activities.
  Identify any activities that are currently active or have dependencies that may be causing the issue.
  
  
  
  Modify Activity Status:
  
  If possible, change the status of the activities to allow for modifications. For example, if an activity is completed, you may need to reopen it or adjust its status.
  
  
  
  Adjust Dependencies:
  
  Review and adjust any dependencies between activities that may be preventing changes to the start date of the project or task.
  
  
  
  Consult Documentation:
  
  Refer to SAP documentation or help resources for specific guidance on managing activities and projects within your version of SAP.
  
  
  
  Seek Help from SAP Support:
  
  If you are unable to resolve the issue, consider reaching out to your SAP support team or consulting with SAP support for further assistance.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes such as CJ20N (Project Builder) or CJI3 (Project Actual Line Items) to manage projects and activities effectively.
  User Permissions: Ensure that you have the necessary permissions to make changes to projects and activities.
  SAP Notes: Check for any SAP Notes related to this error message, as they may provide additional insights or patches that could resolve the issue.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to identify the cause of the PA161 error and implement a solution to modify the start date or other attributes of the project or task in question.