How To Fix QS181 - Characteristic version is marked for deletion

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: QS - QM: Master data

• Message number: 181

• Message text: Characteristic version is marked for deletion

What causes this issue?

This characteristic version is marked for deletion and therefore cannot
be used anymore.

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?

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message QS181 - Characteristic version is marked for deletion ?

  The SAP error message QS181, which states "Characteristic version is marked for deletion," typically occurs in the context of Quality Management (QM) or when dealing with characteristics in the context of SAP's classification system. This error indicates that the characteristic version you are trying to access or use has been flagged for deletion, meaning it is no longer active or available for use in the system.
  Cause:
  
  Marked for Deletion: The characteristic version has been explicitly marked for deletion in the system. This can happen during data maintenance or if a user has flagged it for deletion.
  Data Integrity Issues: There may be inconsistencies in the data, such as references to a characteristic that is no longer valid.
  User Permissions: The user may not have the necessary permissions to access or modify the characteristic.
  
  Solution:
  
  
  Check Characteristic Status:
  
  Go to the characteristic maintenance transaction (e.g., transaction code CT04 for characteristics).
  Search for the characteristic in question and check its status. If it is marked for deletion, you may need to unmark it or create a new version.
  
  
  
  Unmark for Deletion:
  
  If you have the necessary permissions, you can unmark the characteristic version for deletion. This typically involves editing the characteristic and changing its status.
  
  
  
  Create a New Characteristic:
  
  If the characteristic is indeed obsolete and cannot be restored, consider creating a new characteristic with a different name or identifier.
  
  
  
  Check Dependencies:
  
  Ensure that there are no dependencies or references to the deleted characteristic in other objects (like inspection plans, quality notifications, etc.). You may need to update or remove these references.
  
  
  
  Consult Documentation:
  
  Review SAP documentation or help resources for specific instructions related to your version of SAP, as the steps may vary slightly.
  
  
  
  Contact SAP Support:
  
  If you are unable to resolve the issue, consider reaching out to SAP support for assistance, especially if this is affecting critical business processes.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes such as CT04 (Characteristic), QS21 (Create Inspection Characteristic), and QS22 (Change Inspection Characteristic).
  User Roles and Authorizations: Ensure that users have the appropriate roles and authorizations to manage characteristics and their statuses.
  Data Consistency Checks: Regularly perform data consistency checks to identify and resolve issues related to characteristics and their versions.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to address the QS181 error and restore functionality related to the characteristic in question.