How To Fix HF503 - Summarization hierarchy could not be read

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: HF - Error messages for PS reporting

• Message number: 503

• Message text: Summarization hierarchy could not be read

What causes this issue?

Summarization hierarchy &V2& with subhierarchy &V3& could not be read
in controlling area &V1&.

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?

Check the selection criteria.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message HF503 - Summarization hierarchy could not be read ?

  The SAP error message HF503, which states "Summarization hierarchy could not be read," typically occurs in the context of SAP BW (Business Warehouse) or SAP BI (Business Intelligence) when there is an issue with accessing or reading a summarization hierarchy. This hierarchy is essential for aggregating data in reporting and analysis.
  Causes:
  
  Missing Hierarchy: The summarization hierarchy may not exist in the system or may have been deleted.
  Authorization Issues: The user may not have the necessary authorizations to access the summarization hierarchy.
  Data Model Issues: There may be inconsistencies or errors in the data model that prevent the hierarchy from being read.
  Transport Issues: If the hierarchy was recently transported from another system, there may have been issues during the transport process.
  Technical Issues: There could be underlying technical issues, such as database inconsistencies or problems with the BW system itself.
  
  Solutions:
  
  Check Hierarchy Existence: Verify that the summarization hierarchy exists in the system. You can do this by navigating to the relevant transaction (e.g., RSA1 for Data Warehousing Workbench) and checking the hierarchy settings.
  Review Authorizations: Ensure that the user has the necessary authorizations to access the summarization hierarchy. This can be checked in the user roles and profiles.
  Recreate the Hierarchy: If the hierarchy is missing or corrupted, consider recreating it. This may involve defining the hierarchy again in the relevant InfoObject.
  Check Data Model: Review the data model for any inconsistencies or errors. You may need to run consistency checks or repair any issues found.
  Transport Logs: If the hierarchy was recently transported, check the transport logs for any errors or warnings that may indicate what went wrong during the transport.
  Technical Support: If the issue persists, consider reaching out to your SAP Basis or technical support team to investigate any underlying technical issues.
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes such as RSA1 (Data Warehousing Workbench), RSD1 (InfoObject Maintenance), and RSCUSTV10 (Customizing for BW).
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any known issues or patches related to the HF503 error. You can search for specific notes in the SAP Support Portal.
  Documentation: Review SAP documentation related to summarization hierarchies and data modeling in BW for best practices and troubleshooting steps.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to identify and resolve the issue related to the HF503 error message in SAP.