How To Fix 5A280 - This record already exists in status &

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: 5A - Basis Personnel Management

• Message number: 280

• Message text: This record already exists in status &

What causes this issue?

According to T777Z, this record is defined with time constraint 0.
Time constraint 0 means that this record may be created only once.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message 5A280 - This record already exists in status & ?

  The SAP error message 5A280 indicates that there is an attempt to create or modify a record that already exists in a specific status. This error typically occurs in various SAP modules, such as Materials Management (MM), Sales and Distribution (SD), or others, depending on the context of the transaction.
  Cause:
  The error message is triggered when:
  
  You are trying to create a new record (like a purchase order, sales order, etc.) that already exists in the system with the same key fields.
  The record you are trying to modify is already in a status that does not allow further changes or duplications.
  There may be a data integrity issue where the system detects a duplicate entry based on the defined unique constraints.
  
  Solution:
  To resolve the error, you can take the following steps:
  
  
  Check for Existing Records:
  
  Use the relevant transaction code (like ME23N for purchase orders, VA03 for sales orders, etc.) to check if the record you are trying to create or modify already exists.
  Look for records with the same key fields (like document number, material number, etc.).
  
  
  
  Review the Status:
  
  If the record exists, check its status. If it is in a status that does not allow changes (e.g., completed, closed), you may need to take appropriate actions based on your business process (like reversing or canceling the document).
  
  
  
  Modify Instead of Create:
  
  If you find that the record already exists, consider modifying the existing record instead of creating a new one.
  
  
  
  Consult Documentation:
  
  Review the SAP documentation or help files related to the specific module you are working with for more details on the error and its implications.
  
  
  
  Contact Support:
  
  If you are unable to resolve the issue, consider reaching out to your SAP support team or consulting with an SAP expert who can provide further assistance.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with the relevant transaction codes for the module you are working in (e.g., ME21N for creating purchase orders, VA01 for creating sales orders).
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any known issues or patches related to this error message.
  Data Integrity: Ensure that your data entry processes are robust to prevent duplicate entries from being created in the first place.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to identify the cause of the error and take appropriate action to resolve it.