Unable to delete/modify object because it is referenced by other database objects

Symptoms

When you attempt to delete an object or make certain modifications, one of these error messages may appear.

Unable to delete/modify object because it is referenced by other database object(s). To delete/modify the object, you need to remove these dependencies first.

Unable to delete/modify object because it is referenced by other database object(s). To delete/modify the object, you need to remove these dependencies first. To view the full list of an object's dependencies, just open it and click Actions>Show Dependencies on the window toolbar.

Cause

Objects in Alloy Navigator Express are interconnected. This error occurs when an object is referenced by other objects via their fields. For example, if an asset is assigned to an owner, the owner's person record is referenced by that asset via the Owner field.

Objects with such dependencies cannot be deleted directly.

Resolution

To delete an object with dependencies, you must first identify and remove all references to it. In the example above, if you want to delete a person record linked to a computer record via its Owner field, you can either reassign the computer to a new owner or clear the Owner field.

Deletion restrictions apply only when other objects directly reference the current object via their fields. For example, assets reference persons through the Owner field, or tickets reference assets through the Related Asset field. However, links that could be found on the object's Relationships tab or within the object's attributes do not prevent deletion.

To see the dependencies for an object:

Desktop App only

1. Open the desired record in the Desktop App.

2. On the Module menu, click Actions > Show Dependencies. If any dependent objects exist, a list of them will be displayed in an information window.

TIP: Permanently deleting objects is generally not recommended. Consider ending the object’s lifecycle by changing its status instead. For example, mark a disposed computer as Retired rather than deleting it, or make an unused person record inactive. Your Alloy Navigator Express administrator can also configure archiving or removal of older inactive records.

Related Information:

Marking IT assets as retired

Marking Person records as inactive