How To Fix >A172 - Formal error: duplicate entry in internal table (&1)

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: >A -

• Message number: 172

• Message text: Formal error: duplicate entry in internal table (&1)

Self-Explanatory Message

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message >A172 - Formal error: duplicate entry in internal table (&1) ?

  The SAP error message A172: Formal error: duplicate entry in internal table (&1) typically indicates that there is an attempt to insert a duplicate entry into an internal table that is expected to contain unique entries. This error often arises during the execution of ABAP programs or during data processing tasks.
  Cause:
  
  Duplicate Data: The most common cause is that the data being processed contains duplicates that violate the uniqueness constraint of the internal table.
  Logic Error: There may be a logical error in the ABAP code that leads to the same entry being added multiple times.
  Incorrect Data Handling: The program may not be correctly checking for existing entries before attempting to add new ones.
  
  Solution:
  
  
  Check Data Source: Review the data source to ensure that it does not contain duplicates. If duplicates are present, you may need to clean the data before processing.
  
  
  Modify ABAP Code:
  
  
  Ensure that the code checks for existing entries in the internal table before adding new ones. You can use the READ TABLE statement to check for duplicates.
  
  
  Use the INSERT statement with the TRANSPORTING NO FIELDS option to avoid adding duplicates if the entry already exists.
  
  
  Example:
  DATA: lt_table TYPE TABLE OF your_structure,
        ls_entry TYPE your_structure.
  
  " Check for duplicates before inserting
  READ TABLE lt_table INTO ls_entry WITH KEY field1 = value1 field2 = value2.
  IF sy-subrc <> 0.
    " Entry does not exist, safe to insert
    APPEND ls_entry TO lt_table.
  ENDIF.
  
  
  
  
  Debugging: Use the ABAP debugger to step through the code and identify where the duplicate entry is being introduced. This can help you understand the flow of data and where the logic may be failing.
  
  
  Review Table Definitions: If the internal table is defined with a unique key, ensure that the key fields are correctly defined and that the data being inserted adheres to these constraints.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  ABAP Documentation: Review the SAP documentation for the specific ABAP statements you are using (e.g., INSERT, READ TABLE) to understand their behavior regarding duplicates.
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any known issues or patches related to the error message A172.
  Community Forums: Engage with SAP community forums or support channels for additional insights or similar experiences from other users.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to identify the cause of the error and implement a solution to prevent it from occurring in the future.