How To Fix FMHIE438 - Inconsistent hierarchy data: invalid next sibling definition for ID &1

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: FMHIE - Budget Hierarchies

• Message number: 438

• Message text: Inconsistent hierarchy data: invalid next sibling definition for ID &1

What causes this issue?

The 'next sibling' definition for at least one top-level node is
inconsistent for hierarchy ID &V1&.
Possible reasons for this inconsistency are as follows:
At least two top-level nodes have no next sibling (there must be exactly
one top-level node without next sibling)
One top-level node has as next sibling a multi-level node, which is not
a top-level node
One top-level node has itself as next sibling
Two or more top-level nodes reference each other as next sibling

System Response

The multi-level budget structure cannot be created for hierarchy ID &V1&
.

How to fix this error?

Check the definition of the 'next sibling' for all top-level nodes of
the hierarchy ID &V1&.

Procedure for System Administrators

The system issues an error message and will not allow you to continue with this transaction until the error is resolved.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message FMHIE438 - Inconsistent hierarchy data: invalid next sibling definition for ID &1 ?

  The SAP error message FMHIE438 indicates that there is an inconsistency in the hierarchy data, specifically related to the definition of a "next sibling" in a hierarchy structure. This error typically arises in the context of SAP's Financial Management (FM) module, particularly when dealing with hierarchical data structures such as cost centers, internal orders, or other organizational units.
  Cause:
  The error message FMHIE438 is triggered when the system detects that the definition of a "next sibling" for a particular node in the hierarchy is invalid. This can occur due to several reasons, including:
  
  Corrupted Hierarchy Data: The hierarchy data may have been corrupted due to improper data entry, system errors, or inconsistencies during data migration.
  Incorrect Hierarchy Structure: The hierarchy may not be structured correctly, leading to invalid references between nodes.
  Changes in Hierarchy: Recent changes to the hierarchy (like adding or deleting nodes) may not have been properly reflected in the system, leading to inconsistencies.
  Data Consistency Issues: There may be issues with data consistency due to concurrent updates or transactions that were not completed successfully.
  
  Solution:
  To resolve the FMHIE438 error, you can follow these steps:
  
  
  Check Hierarchy Structure: Review the hierarchy structure to ensure that all nodes are correctly defined and that the "next sibling" relationships are valid. You can use transaction codes like KSH1 (Create Cost Center Hierarchy) or KSH2 (Change Cost Center Hierarchy) to inspect the hierarchy.
  
  
  Rebuild the Hierarchy: If the hierarchy is corrupted, you may need to rebuild it. This can involve deleting the problematic nodes and recreating them or adjusting the hierarchy structure to ensure that all relationships are valid.
  
  
  Use Consistency Checks: Utilize SAP's built-in consistency checks to identify and correct any inconsistencies in the hierarchy. You can use transaction codes like FMHIER to perform checks on the hierarchy.
  
  
  Data Migration Review: If the issue arose after a data migration, review the migration process to ensure that all data was transferred correctly and that no inconsistencies were introduced.
  
  
  Consult SAP Notes: Check the SAP Support Portal for any relevant SAP Notes that may address this specific error. There may be patches or updates that can resolve known issues related to hierarchy inconsistencies.
  
  
  Contact SAP Support: If the issue persists after trying the above solutions, consider reaching out to SAP Support for further assistance. They can provide more specific guidance based on your system configuration and the details of the error.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes for managing hierarchies in SAP, such as KSH1, KSH2, FMHIER, etc.
  Documentation: Review SAP documentation related to hierarchy management in the Financial Management module for best practices and guidelines.
  User Forums: Engage with SAP user communities or forums where similar issues may have been discussed, providing insights or solutions from other users' experiences.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to identify and resolve the underlying issues causing the FMHIE438 error in your SAP system.