How To Fix FINB_GN018 - Metadata for field &1 incomplete or inconsistent - system error

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: FINB_GN - Messages from the Generator

• Message number: 018

• Message text: Metadata for field &1 incomplete or inconsistent - system error

Self-Explanatory Message

Since SAP believes that this specific error message is 'self-explanatory,' no more information has been given.The majority of messages in the SAP system have a message text, however this is frequently insufficient to comprehend or resolve the problem.

To make things easier, more detailed information is frequently added to describe the issue, how to fix it, and the necessary steps or configuration modifications.

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message FINB_GN018 - Metadata for field &1 incomplete or inconsistent - system error ?

  The SAP error message FINB_GN018, which states "Metadata for field &1 incomplete or inconsistent - system error," typically indicates that there is an issue with the metadata associated with a specific field in the SAP system. This can occur in various contexts, such as during data processing, reporting, or when accessing certain functionalities within the Financial Accounting (FI) or Controlling (CO) modules.
  Causes:
  
  Incomplete Metadata Configuration: The metadata for the specified field may not have been fully configured or may be missing required information.
  Inconsistent Data: There may be inconsistencies in the data definitions or configurations that lead to the system being unable to interpret the field correctly.
  Transport Issues: If changes were transported from one system to another (e.g., from development to production), there may have been issues during the transport process that led to incomplete or inconsistent metadata.
  Custom Development: If there are custom fields or enhancements, they may not have been properly defined or integrated into the system.
  System Upgrade or Patch: After an upgrade or patch, certain metadata might not have been updated correctly, leading to inconsistencies.
  
  Solutions:
  
  Check Metadata Configuration: Review the configuration of the field in question. Ensure that all required metadata is correctly defined in the system.
  Consistency Check: Use transaction codes like SE11 (Data Dictionary) or SE80 (Object Navigator) to check the definitions of the field and ensure that they are consistent with the expected definitions.
  Transport Logs: If the issue arose after a transport, check the transport logs for any errors or warnings that might indicate what went wrong during the transport process.
  Custom Code Review: If there are custom developments, review the code to ensure that it is correctly handling the metadata for the field.
  System Logs: Check the system logs (transaction SLG1) for any additional error messages or warnings that might provide more context about the issue.
  SAP Notes: Search the SAP Support Portal for any relevant SAP Notes that might address this specific error message or provide guidance on resolving it.
  Consult SAP Support: If the issue persists and cannot be resolved through the above steps, consider reaching out to SAP Support for assistance.
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes such as SE11, SE80, SLG1, and others that can help in diagnosing and resolving the issue.
  Documentation: Review SAP documentation related to the specific module or functionality where the error occurs to understand the expected metadata structure.
  Community Forums: Engage with SAP community forums or user groups where similar issues may have been discussed, and solutions shared.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to identify the root cause of the FINB_GN018 error and implement a suitable solution.