How To Fix R7181 - Attribute &1 is still used in characteristic &2

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: R7 - BW: Data basis

• Message number: 181

• Message text: Attribute &1 is still used in characteristic &2

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 R7181 - Attribute &1 is still used in characteristic &2 ?

  The SAP error message R7181 indicates that an attribute (denoted as &1) is still being used in a characteristic (denoted as &2) within the context of the SAP system, typically in the context of the SAP BW (Business Warehouse) or SAP HANA environments. This error usually arises when you attempt to delete or modify an attribute that is still linked to a characteristic, which is not allowed until the link is removed.
  Cause:
  The primary cause of this error is that the attribute you are trying to delete or modify is still associated with a characteristic in the data model. This association must be removed before you can proceed with any changes to the attribute.
  Solution:
  To resolve this error, follow these steps:
  
  
  Identify the Characteristic: Determine which characteristic (&2) is using the attribute (&1). You can do this by checking the data model or the InfoObject definitions in the SAP system.
  
  
  Remove the Association:
  
  Go to the InfoObject maintenance transaction (e.g., RSD1 for InfoObjects).
  Locate the characteristic that is using the attribute.
  Navigate to the "Attributes" tab and remove the association of the attribute from the characteristic.
  
  
  
  Check for Dependencies: Ensure that there are no other dependencies or usages of the attribute in other characteristics or data models. You may need to check other InfoObjects or queries that might be using the attribute.
  
  
  Activate Changes: After removing the association, make sure to activate the changes in the InfoObject.
  
  
  Retry the Operation: Once the association is removed and changes are activated, you can retry the operation that initially caused the error.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  InfoObjects: In SAP BW, InfoObjects are the building blocks of the data model. They can be characteristics (dimensions) or key figures (measures).
  Attributes: Attributes provide additional information about characteristics and can be used for reporting and analysis.
  Data Model: Understanding the data model and how InfoObjects are related is crucial for managing attributes and characteristics effectively.
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes such as RSD1 (InfoObject maintenance), RSA1 (Data Warehousing Workbench), and RSPC (Process Chain Maintenance) for managing your data model.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the R7181 error and manage your attributes and characteristics effectively in SAP.