How To Fix G00856 - Too many characteristics are already denoted as subassignments

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: G00 - SAP Consolidation

• Message number: 856

• Message text: Too many characteristics are already denoted as subassignments

What causes this issue?

You have tried to select characteristic &V1& as a subassignment. This
characteristic is part of a compound consisting of &V3&
characteristics. Either all or none of the characteristics within a
compound must be selected as subassignments. &V2& characteristics are
already selected as subassignments. If all the characteristics with the
current compound were selected as subassignments, the maximum number of
five subassignments would be exceeded.

System Response

The activity is terminated, characteristic &V1& cannot be selected as a
subassignment.

How to fix this error?

If you want to use characteristic &V1& and the other characteristics in
the compound as subassignments, delete the <ZH>Subassignment</> i
ndicator for enough characteristics so that in the case of selecting
the &V3& characteristics of the compound for characteristic &V1&, the
maximum number of five subassignments is not exceeded.

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 G00856 - Too many characteristics are already denoted as subassignments ?

  The SAP error message G00856, which states "Too many characteristics are already denoted as subassignments," typically occurs in the context of SAP's classification system, particularly when dealing with characteristics in a classification hierarchy.
  Cause:
  This error arises when you attempt to assign too many characteristics as subassignments to a single characteristic. SAP has a limit on the number of characteristics that can be designated as subassignments for a given characteristic. When this limit is exceeded, the system generates this error message.
  Solution:
  To resolve this error, you can take the following steps:
  
  
  Review Characteristics: Check the characteristics that are currently assigned as subassignments to the characteristic in question. You can do this by navigating to the classification view in SAP.
  
  
  Remove Unnecessary Subassignments: If you find that there are characteristics that are not essential as subassignments, consider removing them. This will free up space for new subassignments.
  
  
  Reorganize Characteristics: If you need to keep all the characteristics, consider reorganizing them. You might create a new characteristic that can serve as a parent for some of the existing subassignments, thereby reducing the number of direct subassignments to the original characteristic.
  
  
  Check System Limits: Consult the SAP documentation or your system administrator to understand the specific limits for your version of SAP. This can help you plan your classification structure more effectively.
  
  
  Consult SAP Notes: Sometimes, specific issues may be addressed in SAP Notes. Check the SAP Support Portal for any relevant notes that might provide additional guidance or solutions.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Classification System: Understanding how the classification system works in SAP can help you design your characteristics and their relationships more effectively.
  Characteristic Hierarchies: Familiarize yourself with how to create and manage characteristic hierarchies to avoid hitting limits in the future.
  SAP Community: Engaging with the SAP Community can provide insights from other users who may have encountered and resolved similar issues.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the G00856 error and manage your characteristics more effectively within SAP.