How To Fix 28118 - Duplicate entry &1 in the allowed values for characteristic &2

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: 28 - Configuration

• Message number: 118

• Message text: Duplicate entry &1 in the allowed values for characteristic &2

What causes this issue?

The allowed values after the keyword IN contain duplicate entries.

System Response

The syntax check issues a warning.

How to fix this error?

Remove the duplicate entries from the allowed values.

Procedure for System Administrators

The system issues an error message and will not allow you to continue with this transaction until the error is resolved.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message 28118 - Duplicate entry &1 in the allowed values for characteristic &2 ?

  The SAP error message 28118, which states "Duplicate entry &1 in the allowed values for characteristic &2," typically occurs in the context of SAP's classification system, particularly when working with characteristics and their allowed values in the classification of materials or other objects.
  Cause:
  This error arises when you attempt to create or modify a characteristic in such a way that it includes duplicate entries in its allowed values. Each allowed value for a characteristic must be unique, and if you try to add a value that already exists, SAP will trigger this error.
  Solution:
  To resolve this error, you can follow these steps:
  
  
  Identify the Characteristic: Determine which characteristic is causing the error. The error message will specify the characteristic name (represented as &2).
  
  
  Check Allowed Values: Go to the characteristic definition in the SAP system and review the list of allowed values. Look for the value that is mentioned in the error message (represented as &1).
  
  
  Remove Duplicates: If you find that the value is indeed duplicated, you will need to remove the duplicate entry. You can do this by:
  
  Editing the characteristic in the classification system.
  Deleting the duplicate entry from the allowed values list.
  
  
  
  Save Changes: After making the necessary adjustments, save your changes and try to execute the operation again that triggered the error.
  
  
  Validation: Ensure that all allowed values for the characteristic are unique and that there are no other duplicates.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: You can use transaction codes like CT04 (to create or change characteristics) and CT05 (to display characteristics) to manage characteristics and their allowed values.
  Documentation: Refer to SAP Help documentation for more details on characteristics and allowed values in the classification system.
  User Authorization: Ensure that you have the necessary permissions to modify characteristics and their allowed values in the SAP system.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the error and ensure that your characteristics are correctly defined without duplicates.