How To Fix >5373 - Format short name &1 is not unique but is defined with &2 formats.

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: >5 -

• Message number: 373

• Message text: Format short name &1 is not unique but is defined with &2 formats.

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 >5373 - Format short name &1 is not unique but is defined with &2 formats. ?

  The SAP error message 5373 indicates that there is a conflict with the format short name in the system. Specifically, it means that the format short name you are trying to use is not unique because it has been defined with multiple formats. This can occur in various contexts, such as when dealing with output formats for documents, reports, or other data representations.
  Cause:
  The error is typically caused by:
  
  Duplicate Format Short Names: The same short name is being used for different formats, leading to ambiguity in the system.
  Configuration Issues: Incorrect or incomplete configuration in the relevant module (e.g., output management, document formats).
  Custom Developments: Custom programs or enhancements that may have introduced conflicting format definitions.
  
  Solution:
  To resolve this error, you can take the following steps:
  
  
  Identify Conflicting Formats:
  
  Use transaction codes like SPRO to access the configuration settings related to the specific module where the error occurs.
  Check the definitions of the format short names to identify duplicates.
  
  
  
  Modify or Remove Duplicates:
  
  If you find that the same short name is defined for multiple formats, you will need to either:
  
  Rename one of the formats to ensure uniqueness.
  Remove the duplicate format if it is not needed.
  
  
  
  
  
  Check Custom Developments:
  
  If the error is related to custom developments, review the code to ensure that it does not introduce conflicting format definitions.
  
  
  
  Testing:
  
  After making changes, test the relevant functionality to ensure that the error is resolved and that the system behaves as expected.
  
  
  
  Documentation:
  
  Document any changes made to the configuration or custom code for future reference and to assist other team members.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes such as SPRO, SE80, or SE11 for checking configurations and data dictionary objects.
  SAP Notes: Check the SAP Support Portal for any relevant SAP Notes that may address this specific error or provide additional guidance.
  Community Forums: Consider searching or posting in SAP community forums for insights from other users who may have encountered the same issue.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the error message 5373 and ensure that your format short names are unique within the SAP system.