How To Fix AD736 - Foreign key &-& (enter valid cardinality)

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: AD - Data Dictionary application messages

• Message number: 736

• Message text: Foreign key &-& (enter valid cardinality)

What causes this issue?

You have entered a semantic foreign key without specifying the
cardinality.

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?

Enter a cardinality. The following cardinalities are possible:
C There may not be more than one dependent record for each record in
the check table.
1 Exactly one dependent record exists for each record in the check
table.
CN Any number of dependent records may exist for each record in
the check table.
N At least one dependent record must exist for each record in the
check table.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message AD736 - Foreign key &-& (enter valid cardinality) ?

  The SAP error message AD736, which states "Foreign key &-& (enter valid cardinality)," typically occurs in the context of data modeling or when defining relationships between tables in the SAP system. This error indicates that there is an issue with the foreign key relationship you are trying to establish, specifically regarding the cardinality of the relationship.
  Cause:
  
  Invalid Cardinality: The cardinality defined for the foreign key relationship does not match the actual data model. For example, if you are trying to define a one-to-many relationship but the data suggests a many-to-many relationship, this error will occur.
  Missing or Incorrect Foreign Key Definition: The foreign key may not be properly defined in the database schema, or the referenced primary key may not exist.
  Data Integrity Issues: There may be existing data that violates the foreign key constraints, leading to inconsistencies.
  Configuration Errors: Incorrect settings in the data model or configuration settings in the SAP system can lead to this error.
  
  Solution:
  
  Check Cardinality: Review the cardinality settings for the foreign key relationship. Ensure that they accurately reflect the intended relationship between the tables (e.g., one-to-one, one-to-many, many-to-one).
  Verify Foreign Key Definition: Ensure that the foreign key is correctly defined in the database schema. Check that the referenced primary key exists and is correctly set up.
  Data Validation: Check the existing data in both tables to ensure that it adheres to the defined foreign key constraints. If there are violations, you may need to clean up the data.
  Adjust Configuration: If the error is due to configuration settings, review and adjust them as necessary to ensure they align with the intended data model.
  Consult Documentation: Refer to SAP documentation or help resources for specific guidance on defining foreign keys and cardinality in your version of SAP.
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Data Dictionary: Familiarize yourself with the SAP Data Dictionary (SE11) to understand how to define and manage database objects, including tables and relationships.
  Transaction Codes: Use transaction codes like SE11 (Data Dictionary), SE14 (Database Utility), and SE37 (Function Builder) to investigate and modify database objects.
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any known issues or patches related to foreign key constraints and cardinality errors.
  Testing: After making changes, test the foreign key relationship to ensure that the error is resolved and that data integrity is maintained.
  
  If the problem persists after following these steps, consider reaching out to your SAP support team or consulting with an SAP expert for further assistance.