How To Fix AD281 - Foreign key maintenance is not possible for this field

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: AD - Data Dictionary application messages

• Message number: 281

• Message text: Foreign key maintenance is not possible for this field

What causes this issue?

Maintenance of a foreign key, that is, a foreign key for the value
table of a domain to which the field refers, is not possible for this
table field, since the table itself is the value table entered in the
domain. The field belongs to the table key, so that the definition of a
foreign key for the table means that the field would be checking
itself. As a result, no entries could be added to the value table.

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?

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message AD281 - Foreign key maintenance is not possible for this field ?

  The SAP error message AD281, which states "Foreign key maintenance is not possible for this field," typically occurs when there is an attempt to maintain a foreign key relationship in a way that is not allowed by the system. This can happen for several reasons, and understanding the cause is essential for finding a solution.
  Causes of Error AD281
  
  
  Field Type Mismatch: The field you are trying to set as a foreign key may not be compatible with the field in the referenced table. For example, if one field is defined as a character type and the other as a numeric type, the foreign key relationship cannot be established.
  
  
  Field Attributes: The field may not have the necessary attributes to be used as a foreign key. For instance, it may not be defined as a key field in the database table.
  
  
  Table Configuration: The table you are trying to maintain may not be configured to allow foreign key relationships. This could be due to settings in the Data Dictionary (SE11) or the table's technical settings.
  
  
  Existing Data: If there is existing data in the table that violates the foreign key constraint, the system will prevent you from creating or modifying the foreign key relationship.
  
  
  Database Constraints: The underlying database may have constraints that prevent the establishment of the foreign key relationship.
  
  
  Solutions to Error AD281
  
  
  Check Field Types: Verify that the data types of the fields involved in the foreign key relationship are compatible. You can do this by checking the data dictionary (SE11) for both tables.
  
  
  Review Field Attributes: Ensure that the field you want to use as a foreign key is defined as a key field in the table. If it is not, you may need to adjust the table definition.
  
  
  Table Configuration: Check the technical settings of the table to ensure that it allows foreign key relationships. You can do this in the Data Dictionary (SE11) by reviewing the table's properties.
  
  
  Data Consistency: Ensure that there is no existing data in the table that would violate the foreign key constraint. You may need to clean up or adjust the data before establishing the foreign key.
  
  
  Database Constraints: If you are working with a specific database (like Oracle, SQL Server, etc.), check for any database-level constraints that might be affecting the foreign key relationship.
  
  
  Consult Documentation: If you are unsure about the specific requirements for foreign key relationships in your version of SAP, consult the SAP documentation or help resources.
  
  
  Related Information
  
  Transaction Codes: You can use transaction codes like SE11 (Data Dictionary), SE14 (Database Utility), and SE37 (Function Module) to investigate and resolve issues related to foreign keys.
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any known issues or patches related to foreign key maintenance.
  Community Forums: SAP Community and other forums can be helpful for finding similar issues and solutions shared by other users.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to identify the cause of the AD281 error and implement a solution to resolve it.