How To Fix ILM_STOR840 - SELECT returns multiple results (only one entry permitted)

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: ILM_STOR -

• Message number: 840

• Message text: SELECT returns multiple results (only one entry permitted)

What causes this issue?

The selection triggered with the given parameters leads to a result set
tha has more than one entry.
However, the call in process is intended for a single-entry result set.
Calling DELETE or GET, for example, assumes that the selection results
in one entry at the most.

System Response

The function being performed will be terminated..

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?

The coding has to be checked again and changed so that it either leads
to a result set with one single entry (or no entries) if calling the
current method was correct. Or, the method to be called should be
changed to the version that can handle multiple entries (such as CLEAR
or LIST).

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 ILM_STOR840 - SELECT returns multiple results (only one entry permitted) ?

  The SAP error message ILM_STOR840 indicates that a SELECT statement in the context of Information Lifecycle Management (ILM) is returning multiple results when only a single entry is expected. This typically occurs in scenarios where the system is trying to retrieve a unique record from a database table, but the query is returning more than one record.
  Cause
  The primary causes of this error can include:
  
  
  Data Integrity Issues: There may be duplicate entries in the database table that the SELECT statement is querying. This can happen due to improper data management or lack of constraints that enforce uniqueness.
  
  
  Incorrect Query Logic: The SQL query may not be correctly formulated to ensure it retrieves a unique record. For example, if the WHERE clause is not specific enough, it may match multiple records.
  
  
  Configuration Issues: In some cases, the configuration of the ILM settings or the underlying data model may not align with the expected data structure, leading to unexpected results.
  
  
  Solution
  To resolve the ILM_STOR840 error, you can take the following steps:
  
  
  Check for Duplicates:
  
  Identify the table being queried and check for duplicate entries. You can run a SQL query to find duplicates based on the key fields that should be unique.
  Example SQL query to find duplicates:
  SELECT key_field, COUNT(*)
  FROM your_table
  GROUP BY key_field
  HAVING COUNT(*) > 1;
  
  
  
  
  Modify the Query:
  
  If the query is not specific enough, modify it to ensure it retrieves a unique record. This may involve adding additional conditions to the WHERE clause.
  
  
  
  Data Cleanup:
  
  If duplicates are found, you may need to clean up the data by removing or consolidating duplicate records, ensuring that the data integrity is maintained.
  
  
  
  Review Configuration:
  
  Check the ILM configuration settings to ensure they are set up correctly and that the data model aligns with the expected structure.
  
  
  
  Consult Documentation:
  
  Review SAP documentation or notes related to ILM and the specific error message for any additional guidance or known issues.
  
  
  
  Testing:
  
  After making changes, test the query again to ensure that it now returns a single result as expected.
  
  
  
  Related Information
  
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any specific notes related to ILM_STOR840, as they may provide additional context or solutions.
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes in SAP that pertain to ILM, such as ILM configuration transactions.
  Database Management: Understanding the underlying database structure and constraints can help prevent similar issues in the future.
  
  If the issue persists after following these steps, consider reaching out to SAP support for further assistance.