How To Fix /SAPAPO/MC01018 - Characteristic is being used in active objects, you cannot change type

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: /SAPAPO/MC01 -

• Message number: 018

• Message text: Characteristic is being used in active objects, you cannot change type

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 /SAPAPO/MC01018 - Characteristic is being used in active objects, you cannot change type ?

  The SAP error message /SAPAPO/MC01018 indicates that you are trying to change the type of a characteristic in SAP APO (Advanced Planning and Optimization) while it is still being used in active objects. This typically occurs when the characteristic is linked to various planning objects, such as InfoObjects, planning books, or other configurations that are currently active.
  Cause:
  
  Active Usage: The characteristic you are trying to modify is currently in use by active planning objects or configurations.
  Data Integrity: SAP enforces this restriction to maintain data integrity and prevent inconsistencies that could arise from changing the type of a characteristic that is actively being used.
  
  Solution:
  To resolve this error, you can follow these steps:
  
  
  Identify Active Objects:
  
  Use transaction codes like /SAPAPO/MC62 (for characteristics) or /SAPAPO/MC63 (for InfoObjects) to check where the characteristic is being used.
  Look for any active planning books, data views, or other configurations that reference the characteristic.
  
  
  
  Deactivate or Remove Usage:
  
  If possible, deactivate or remove the characteristic from the active objects. This may involve:
  
  Modifying planning books or data views to remove the characteristic.
  Deactivating any active planning scenarios that utilize the characteristic.
  
  
  
  
  
  Change the Characteristic Type:
  
  Once the characteristic is no longer in use, you can proceed to change its type as needed.
  
  
  
  Re-activate Objects:
  
  After making the necessary changes, you can re-activate any planning books or objects that were deactivated.
  
  
  
  Testing:
  
  After making changes, ensure to test the system to confirm that everything is functioning as expected and that the changes have not introduced any issues.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Documentation: Refer to SAP Help documentation for more details on characteristics and their management in SAP APO.
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes for managing characteristics and planning objects in SAP APO.
  Backup: Always ensure you have a backup of your configurations before making significant changes to avoid data loss.
  
  If you continue to face issues or if the characteristic is critical to your operations, consider consulting with your SAP Basis or APO functional team for further assistance.