How To Fix 5P394 - E: Return nodes are not allowed to have children

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: 5P - Error Messages for Schema, Pers.Calc.Rule and Feature Checks

• Message number: 394

• Message text: E: Return nodes are not allowed to have children

What causes this issue?

A return node has a dependent node.

System Response

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

How to fix this error?

A main feature with field return must have just one node of the return
or program access type on the last hierarchy level.
A main feature with table return must only have nodes of the return
type, or just one node of the program access type on the last hierarchy
level.
A subfeature must only have nodes of the return or program access type
on the last hierarchy level.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message 5P394 - E: Return nodes are not allowed to have children ?

  The SAP error message 5P394 E: Return nodes are not allowed to have children typically occurs in the context of SAP Business Workflow or when dealing with certain data structures in SAP applications. This error indicates that a return node in a workflow or data structure is incorrectly configured to have child nodes, which is not permitted.
  Cause:
  
  Incorrect Workflow Configuration: The return node is designed to return a value or signal completion of a process, and it should not have any child nodes associated with it. If a return node is mistakenly configured to have child nodes, this error will be triggered.
  Data Structure Misconfiguration: In some cases, if you are working with data structures (like XML or JSON) that define a hierarchy, a return node may be incorrectly defined to include child elements.
  
  Solution:
  
  
  Review Workflow Configuration:
  
  Open the workflow definition in the SAP Workflow Builder.
  Locate the return node that is causing the issue.
  Ensure that it does not have any child nodes. If it does, remove those child nodes.
  Save and activate the workflow.
  
  
  
  Check Data Structures:
  
  If the error is related to data structures, review the schema or structure definition.
  Ensure that the return node is defined correctly without any child elements.
  Validate the structure to ensure it adheres to the expected format.
  
  
  
  Testing:
  
  After making the necessary changes, test the workflow or data structure to ensure that the error no longer occurs.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Documentation: Refer to the official SAP documentation for workflows or the specific module you are working with for more detailed guidance on node configurations.
  SAP Community: Engage with the SAP Community forums to see if others have encountered similar issues and what solutions they found effective.
  Debugging Tools: Utilize SAP debugging tools to trace the workflow execution and identify where the configuration might be going wrong.
  
  If the issue persists after following these steps, consider reaching out to your SAP support team or consulting with an SAP expert for further assistance.