How To Fix VMP_MSG220 - Action cannot be performed; cannot select parent and it's child together

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: VMP_MSG - VMP Message Manager

• Message number: 220

• Message text: Action cannot be performed; cannot select parent and it's child together

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 VMP_MSG220 - Action cannot be performed; cannot select parent and it's child together ?

  The SAP error message VMP_MSG220 indicates that there is an issue with selecting both a parent and its child in a particular action or transaction. This typically occurs in scenarios where hierarchical data structures are involved, such as in the context of variant configuration, bill of materials (BOM), or similar structures.
  Cause:
  The error arises when the system detects that an action is being attempted on both a parent item and its child item simultaneously, which is not allowed. This can happen in various contexts, such as:
  
  Attempting to perform a mass change or deletion on both a parent and its child items.
  Trying to select a parent node in a tree structure while also selecting one or more of its child nodes.
  
  Solution:
  To resolve this error, you should ensure that you are not selecting both a parent and its child items at the same time. Here are some steps you can take:
  
  
  Review Your Selection: Check the items you have selected in the transaction. Make sure that you are only selecting either the parent or the child items, but not both.
  
  
  Use Filters: If applicable, use filters to narrow down your selection to either parent or child items, depending on the action you want to perform.
  
  
  Perform Actions Separately: If you need to perform actions on both parent and child items, do so in separate transactions. First, perform the action on the parent items, and then on the child items.
  
  
  Consult Documentation: Refer to the SAP documentation or help resources related to the specific transaction or module you are working with for any additional guidelines or restrictions.
  
  
  Check for Customizations: If your SAP system has custom developments or enhancements, check with your SAP support team to see if there are any specific rules or logic that might be causing this error.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: The error may occur in various transaction codes depending on the context (e.g., CS01, CS02 for BOM, or CU50 for variant configuration).
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any known issues or patches related to this error message.
  User Permissions: Ensure that you have the necessary permissions to perform the actions you are attempting, as sometimes permission issues can lead to unexpected errors.
  
  If the problem persists after following these steps, consider reaching out to your SAP support team for further assistance, as they may have more specific insights based on your system configuration and usage.