How To Fix J-879 - Hierarchy &1/&2: sort order of the characteristics is not clear

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: J- -

• Message number: 879

• Message text: Hierarchy &1/&2: sort order of the characteristics is not clear

Self-Explanatory Message

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message J-879 - Hierarchy &1/&2: sort order of the characteristics is not clear ?

  The SAP error message J-879 indicates that there is an issue with the sort order of characteristics in a hierarchy. This typically occurs in the context of SAP BW (Business Warehouse) or SAP BI (Business Intelligence) when dealing with hierarchies in InfoObjects or when creating reports that involve hierarchical data.
  Cause:
  The error message "Hierarchy &1/&2: sort order of the characteristics is not clear" usually arises due to one of the following reasons:
  
  
  Missing Sort Order Definition: The hierarchy does not have a defined sort order for the characteristics involved. This can happen if the hierarchy is not properly configured or if the characteristics are not assigned a specific order.
  
  
  Inconsistent Data: There may be inconsistencies in the data that are causing the system to be unable to determine the sort order. This can occur if there are duplicate entries or if the hierarchy structure is not well-defined.
  
  
  Incorrect Hierarchy Configuration: The hierarchy might not be set up correctly in the InfoObject settings, leading to ambiguity in how the characteristics should be sorted.
  
  
  Solution:
  To resolve the J-879 error, you can take the following steps:
  
  
  Check Hierarchy Configuration:
  
  Go to the relevant InfoObject in the SAP BW system.
  Check the hierarchy settings to ensure that the sort order for the characteristics is defined correctly.
  Make sure that the hierarchy is active and properly maintained.
  
  
  
  Define Sort Order:
  
  If the sort order is not defined, you can set it up by going to the hierarchy maintenance transaction (e.g., RSH1 for hierarchies).
  Ensure that each characteristic in the hierarchy has a clear and defined sort order.
  
  
  
  Validate Data:
  
  Check the data in the hierarchy for any inconsistencies or duplicates that might be causing the issue.
  Clean up any problematic entries that could be affecting the sort order.
  
  
  
  Rebuild Hierarchy:
  
  If the hierarchy is still causing issues, consider rebuilding it from scratch to ensure that all settings are correctly applied.
  
  
  
  Transport Requests:
  
  If changes are made in a development environment, ensure that they are transported to the production environment correctly.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: You may use transaction codes like RSH1 (Hierarchy Maintenance) and RSA1 (Data Warehousing Workbench) to manage and troubleshoot hierarchies.
  Documentation: Refer to SAP Help documentation for detailed guidance on managing hierarchies and characteristics in BW/BI.
  SAP Notes: Check for any relevant SAP Notes that might address specific issues related to this error message.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the J-879 error and ensure that the hierarchy is functioning correctly in your SAP environment.