How To Fix KN319 - Empty characteristic above non-empty characteristic is not permitted

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: KN - Reporting for Costing

• Message number: 319

• Message text: Empty characteristic above non-empty characteristic is not permitted

Self-Explanatory Message

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message KN319 - Empty characteristic above non-empty characteristic is not permitted ?

  The SAP error message KN319 ("Empty characteristic above non-empty characteristic is not permitted") typically occurs in the context of SAP's data modeling, particularly when dealing with characteristics in the context of master data, such as in the Material Master or Customer Master.
  Cause:
  This error arises when there is a hierarchical structure of characteristics, and a characteristic that is supposed to be a parent (or higher-level) is empty while its child (or lower-level) characteristic has a value. In other words, if you have a hierarchy where one characteristic is dependent on another, the parent characteristic must have a value if the child characteristic does.
  For example, if you have a characteristic "Country" (parent) and "City" (child), and "City" has a value (e.g., "New York"), but "Country" is empty, this will trigger the KN319 error.
  Solution:
  To resolve this error, you need to ensure that all parent characteristics have values before you assign values to their child characteristics. Here are the steps you can take:
  
  
  Identify the Characteristics: Determine which characteristics are involved in the error. Check the hierarchy to see which characteristic is empty and which one has a value.
  
  
  Fill in the Parent Characteristic: Enter a valid value for the parent characteristic that corresponds to the child characteristic. For example, if "City" is "New York," ensure that "Country" is filled with "USA."
  
  
  Check Data Consistency: Ensure that the data you are entering is consistent and adheres to the defined hierarchy. This may involve checking the master data records for any inconsistencies.
  
  
  Review Configuration: If you are working with custom characteristics or hierarchies, review the configuration settings in the SAP system to ensure that they are set up correctly.
  
  
  Data Validation: Implement data validation checks in your data entry process to prevent this error from occurring in the future.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any specific guidance or patches related to this error. SAP frequently updates its documentation and may have specific notes addressing this issue.
  Master Data Management: Familiarize yourself with the principles of master data management in SAP, especially how characteristics and hierarchies are structured.
  Training and Documentation: Consider reviewing SAP training materials or documentation related to the specific module you are working with (e.g., SD, MM) to better understand how to manage characteristics and hierarchies.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the KN319 error and ensure that your data entries comply with the hierarchical structure required by SAP.