How To Fix PLM_S4_XPRA021 - Reference characteristics are in use, conversion is not possible

PLM_S4_XPRA021 - Overview

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: PLM_S4_XPRA - Messages for PLM XPRA

• Message number: 021

• Message text: Reference characteristics are in use, conversion is not possible

What causes this issue?

You are using characteristics containing material numbers. Migration in
this case is currently not supported. Please refer to note 2333024 for
further details.

System Response

The system issues an error message and will not allow you to continue with this transaction until the error is resolved.

How to fix this error?

Procedure for System Administrators

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

PLM_S4_XPRA021 - Details

• The SAP error message PLM_S4_XPRA021 indicates that there are reference characteristics in use, which prevents the conversion process from being completed. This error typically arises during the migration or upgrade processes, particularly when moving from older versions of SAP to S/4HANA or when performing data conversions.
  
  Cause:
  The error occurs because reference characteristics are being utilized in the system, and the conversion process cannot proceed while these characteristics are active. Reference characteristics are used in classification systems to link characteristics to classes, and if they are in use, the system cannot safely convert or modify them without risking data integrity.
  
  Solution:
  To resolve this error, you can follow these steps:
  
  
  Identify Reference Characteristics:
  
  Use transaction codes like CT04 (Characteristic) or CL02 (Class) to identify which reference characteristics are in use.
  Check the classification data to see where these characteristics are being referenced.
  
  
  
  Deactivate or Remove Usage:
  
  If possible, deactivate the reference characteristics or remove their usage in the relevant