How To Fix UGMD081 - &1: A characteristic value is still in use and cannot be deleted

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: UGMD - FIN Master Data: Messages

• Message number: 081

• Message text: &1: A characteristic value is still in use and cannot be deleted

What causes this issue?

&V1&: one of the characteristic values of &V2& &V3& is still being used.
Consequently you cannot delete the characteristic values of &V1&. This
is only possible when none of the characteristic values are being used.

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?

If you want to delete the characteristic values of &V1& you first have
to change &V2& &V3& so that none of the characteristic values to be
deleted are being used.
Bear in mind that you are trying to delete several characteristic
values. In this situation, it is not always at first clear which of
these characteristic values are used in &V2& &V3&. If displaying &V2&
&V3& does not help you with this, then you can display the individual
characteristic values of &V1& that you want to delete, and then call up
the <LS>Where-used list</> function for each characteristic value you
want to delete. In this way you can determine which characteristic value
is being used.

Procedure for System Administrators

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message UGMD081 - &1: A characteristic value is still in use and cannot be deleted ?

  The SAP error message UGMD081 indicates that a characteristic value you are trying to delete is still in use in the system. This typically occurs in the context of SAP Master Data Management, particularly when dealing with characteristics in classification or variant configuration.
  Cause:
  The error arises when:
  
  The characteristic value is assigned to one or more objects (e.g., materials, classes, or documents).
  The characteristic value is being referenced in existing records, making it impossible to delete without first removing those references.
  
  Solution:
  To resolve this error, you can follow these steps:
  
  
  Identify Usage:
  
  Use transaction codes like CL02 (Change Class) or CL03 (Display Class) to check if the characteristic value is assigned to any classes or objects.
  You can also use transaction MM03 (Display Material) to see if the characteristic value is assigned to any materials.
  
  
  
  Remove References:
  
  If you find that the characteristic value is in use, you will need to remove it from all objects that reference it. This may involve:
  
  Changing the material master data to remove the characteristic value.
  Updating any classes or characteristics that are using the value.
  
  
  
  
  
  Delete the Characteristic Value:
  
  Once all references have been removed, you can attempt to delete the characteristic value again using transaction CT04 (Change Characteristic).
  
  
  
  Check for Dependencies:
  
  Ensure that there are no other dependencies or settings that might prevent the deletion. This includes checking for any dependent objects or settings in the configuration.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  
  Transaction Codes:
  
  CL02 / CL03: For managing classes and their characteristics.
  MM03: For managing material master data.
  CT04: For managing characteristics.
  
  
  
  Documentation:
  
  Refer to SAP Help documentation for detailed information on characteristics and their management.
  Check SAP Notes for any specific issues related to your version of SAP that might provide additional insights or solutions.
  
  
  
  Testing:
  
  After making changes, it’s a good practice to test the system to ensure that the deletion does not affect other functionalities.
  
  
  
  If you continue to face issues, consider reaching out to your SAP support team or consulting with an SAP expert for further assistance.