How To Fix COM_CATEGORY019 - Categories are from different hierarchies

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: COM_CATEGORY - Category

• Message number: 019

• Message text: Categories are from different hierarchies

What causes this issue?

The categories you want to maintain are from different hierarchies. Only
categories within the same hierarchy can be maintained at the same time.

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?

Procedure for System Administrators

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message COM_CATEGORY019 - Categories are from different hierarchies ?

  The SAP error message COM_CATEGORY019 indicates that there is an issue with the categorization of items in a particular context, typically within the context of SAP's Controlling (CO) module or when dealing with Product Costing and Cost Object Controlling. The error message states that the categories being used are from different hierarchies, which means that the system is trying to process categories that do not belong to the same classification structure.
  Cause:
  
  Different Hierarchies: The primary cause of this error is that the categories you are trying to use in a transaction or report belong to different hierarchies. In SAP, categories are often organized in hierarchical structures, and mixing categories from different hierarchies can lead to inconsistencies.
  Configuration Issues: There may be a configuration issue in the way the categories are set up in the system. This could involve incorrect assignment of categories to hierarchies or missing links between the categories.
  Data Entry Errors: Users may inadvertently select categories that are not compatible due to a misunderstanding of the hierarchy structure.
  
  Solution:
  
  Check Category Assignment: Review the categories involved in the transaction. Ensure that they are all from the same hierarchy. You can do this by checking the configuration settings in the SAP system.
  Review Hierarchy Settings: Go to the configuration settings for the relevant module (e.g., Product Costing) and verify that the categories are correctly assigned to the appropriate hierarchies.
  Correct Data Entry: If the error is due to user input, ensure that users are trained to select categories from the same hierarchy. Provide clear guidelines on how to choose categories correctly.
  Consult Documentation: Refer to SAP documentation or help resources for specific guidance on the hierarchies and categories relevant to your business processes.
  Use Transaction Codes: Utilize transaction codes like KAH1 (Create Costing Variant) or KAH2 (Change Costing Variant) to check and modify the category settings if necessary.
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Notes: Check for any relevant SAP Notes that may address this specific error or provide additional troubleshooting steps.
  SAP Community: Engage with the SAP Community forums to see if other users have encountered similar issues and what solutions they have found.
  Testing: After making changes, conduct tests to ensure that the error no longer occurs and that the categories function as expected in the desired transactions.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the COM_CATEGORY019 error and ensure that your categories are correctly aligned within the same hierarchy.