How To Fix RMSA_VRS018 - Deletion not possible; & is the predecessor in a replacement relationship

RMSA_VRS018 - Overview

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: RMSA_VRS - RMS: Versioning

• Message number: 018

• Message text: Deletion not possible; & is the predecessor in a replacement relationship

What causes this issue?

You want to delete object &V1&. This is not possible, since &V1& is
still being used as a predecessor in a replacement relationship.

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?

Delete all the subsequent objects in the replacement relationship, in
other words, all the objects that replace object &V1&, or delete the
replacement relationship for object &V1&.
Delete object &V1&.

Procedure for System Administrators

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

RMSA_VRS018 - Details

• The SAP error message RMSA_VRS018 indicates that a deletion operation is not possible because the item you are trying to delete is a predecessor in a replacement relationship. This typically occurs in the context of managing product lifecycle data, where certain items are linked through replacement relationships.
  
  Cause:
  The error arises when you attempt to delete a material or product that is still referenced as a predecessor in a replacement relationship. In SAP, replacement relationships are used to indicate that one product is being replaced by another. If the predecessor is still active in this relationship, the system prevents deletion to maintain data integrity and avoid orphaned relationships.
  
  Solution:
  To resolve this error, you can follow these steps:
  
  
  Check Replacement Relationships:
  
  Navigate to the relevant transaction in SAP (e.g., using transaction code RMSA or MM02 for material management).
  Check the replacement relationships for the item you are trying to delete. You can do this by looking at