How To Fix /SRMSMC/EXT_UM023 - Employee was changed; editing currently not possible (pending approval)

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: /SRMSMC/EXT_UM -

• Message number: 023

• Message text: Employee was changed; editing currently not possible (pending approval)

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.

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message /SRMSMC/EXT_UM023 - Employee was changed; editing currently not possible (pending approval) ?

  The SAP error message /SRMSMC/EXT_UM023 Employee was changed; editing currently not possible (pending approval) typically occurs in the context of SAP Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) or similar modules where employee data is being modified. This error indicates that the employee record you are trying to edit has been changed by another user or process, and the changes are pending approval. Here’s a breakdown of the cause, potential solutions, and related information:
  Cause:
  
  Concurrent Changes: Another user or process has made changes to the employee record while you were trying to edit it.
  Approval Workflow: The changes made to the employee record are subject to an approval workflow, and until those changes are approved, the record cannot be edited.
  Locking Mechanism: SAP uses a locking mechanism to prevent data inconsistencies. If a record is locked for editing due to pending approvals, you will receive this error.
  
  Solution:
  
  Check Approval Status: Verify if there are any pending approvals for the employee record. You may need to check with the approver or the workflow status to see if the changes can be approved or rejected.
  Wait for Approval: If the changes are pending approval, you may need to wait until the approval process is completed before you can edit the record.
  Refresh the Data: Sometimes, simply refreshing the data or logging out and back into the system can resolve temporary issues.
  Contact Administrator: If you believe this is an error or if the approval process is taking too long, contact your SAP system administrator or support team for assistance. They may be able to unlock the record or provide further insights.
  Review Change Logs: If you have access, review the change logs to see what modifications were made and by whom. This can help you understand the context of the changes.
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any known issues or patches related to this error message. SAP frequently updates its knowledge base with solutions for common problems.
  User Documentation: Refer to the user documentation for your specific SAP module (e.g., SRM) for guidance on handling employee records and approval workflows.
  Training: If this is a recurring issue, consider training sessions for users on how to manage employee records and understand the approval processes in SAP.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to address the error and understand the underlying processes that led to it.