How To Fix /SAPAPO/DP_CHAR174 - Characteristic combinations still in use and cannot be deleted

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: /SAPAPO/DP_CHAR -

• Message number: 174

• Message text: Characteristic combinations still in use and cannot be deleted

Self-Explanatory Message

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message /SAPAPO/DP_CHAR174 - Characteristic combinations still in use and cannot be deleted ?

  The SAP error message /SAPAPO/DP_CHAR174 indicates that you are trying to delete characteristic combinations in the SAP Advanced Planning and Optimization (APO) module, specifically in the Demand Planning (DP) area, but these combinations are still in use. This typically means that the characteristic combinations are linked to existing planning objects, such as forecasts, planning books, or other data structures.
  Cause:
  
  Active Planning Objects: The characteristic combinations you are trying to delete are still being referenced by active planning objects, such as forecasts or planning books.
  Data Dependencies: There may be dependencies in the data that prevent the deletion of these combinations.
  Locked Objects: The characteristic combinations might be locked by other processes or users.
  
  Solution:
  To resolve this error, you can follow these steps:
  
  
  Identify Usage:
  
  Check where the characteristic combinations are being used. You can do this by reviewing the planning books, data views, or any other objects that might reference these characteristics.
  Use transaction codes like /SAPAPO/DP or /SAPAPO/DP_CHAR to analyze the characteristics and their usage.
  
  
  
  Remove Dependencies:
  
  If the characteristic combinations are linked to forecasts or other planning objects, you will need to delete or modify those objects first.
  Ensure that there are no active planning runs or processes that are using these combinations.
  
  
  
  Check for Locks:
  
  Use transaction code SM12 to check for any locks on the characteristic combinations. If there are locks, you may need to unlock them or wait for the processes to complete.
  
  
  
  Delete Combinations:
  
  Once you have ensured that the characteristic combinations are no longer in use, you can attempt to delete them again using the appropriate transaction (e.g., /SAPAPO/DP_CHAR).
  
  
  
  Consult Documentation:
  
  Refer to SAP documentation or help resources for more detailed instructions on managing characteristics and their combinations in APO.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes such as /SAPAPO/DP, /SAPAPO/DP_CHAR, and SM12.
  SAP Notes: Check for any SAP Notes related to this error message for additional guidance or patches that may address specific issues.
  User Authorizations: Ensure that you have the necessary authorizations to delete characteristic combinations in the system.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to identify the cause of the error and take appropriate action to resolve it.