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How To Fix M2644 - & : Key figure hierarchy is lower than characteristics hierarchy


SAP Error Message - Details

  • Message type: E = Error

  • Message class: M2 - LIS: Generating and updating info structures

  • Message number: 644

  • Message text: & : Key figure hierarchy is lower than characteristics hierarchy

  • Show details Hide details
  • What causes this issue?

    A key figure should be updated by a certain document hierarchy.
    However, the characteristics of the information structure are updated
    by a higher document hierarchy by means of update type 'B' (data
    transport).
    The update may not be definite.
    Example:
    You want to update the key figure from the document item. However, the
    characteristics are determined from the document header. This means
    that a statistics update of the key figure occurs for every item in the
    document. Thus the key figure is updated as often as there are items in
    the document. The values are overwritten each time by data transport,
    which means that in the end, the key figure contains the information
    from the last item.

    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?

    Choose a key figure from the same (or a higher) document hierarchy as
    the lowest hierarchy of the characteristics.

    Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.


Smart SAP Assistant

  • What is the cause and solution for SAP error message M2644 - & : Key figure hierarchy is lower than characteristics hierarchy ?

    The SAP error message M2644, which states "Key figure hierarchy is lower than characteristics hierarchy," typically occurs in the context of SAP BW (Business Warehouse) or SAP BI (Business Intelligence) when there is a mismatch in the hierarchy levels of key figures and characteristics in a query or report.

    Cause:

    This error arises when the hierarchy defined for a key figure is not aligned with the hierarchy defined for the characteristics in the data model. Specifically, it indicates that the key figure is trying to reference a hierarchy that is at a lower level than the hierarchy of the characteristics being used in the query. This can happen due to:

    1. Incorrect Hierarchy Assignment: The key figure may be assigned to a hierarchy that does not match the level of the characteristics.
    2. Data Model Changes: Changes in the data model, such as modifications to the hierarchy structure or the addition of new characteristics, can lead to this error.
    3. Query Design Issues: The way the query is designed may not properly align the key figures and characteristics.

    Solution:

    To resolve the M2644 error, you can take the following steps:

    1. Check Hierarchy Assignments:

      • Verify the hierarchy assignments for both the key figures and characteristics in the InfoObject settings.
      • Ensure that the key figure hierarchy is correctly defined and matches the level of the characteristic hierarchy.
    2. Review Query Design:

      • Open the query in the Query Designer and check the structure of the query.
      • Ensure that the key figures and characteristics are properly aligned and that the hierarchy levels are compatible.
    3. Adjust Data Model:

      • If there have been recent changes to the data model, review those changes to ensure that they do not conflict with existing hierarchies.
      • If necessary, adjust the hierarchy levels or reassign the key figures to the correct hierarchy.
    4. Test with Sample Data:

      • After making adjustments, test the query with sample data to ensure that the error no longer occurs.
    5. Consult Documentation:

      • Refer to SAP documentation or help resources for specific guidance on hierarchy management and query design.
    6. Seek Support:

      • If the issue persists, consider reaching out to your SAP support team or consulting with an SAP BW/BI expert for further assistance.

    Related Information:

    • SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any known issues or patches related to this error message.
    • SAP Community: Engage with the SAP Community forums to see if other users have encountered similar issues and what solutions they have found.
    • Training and Documentation: Familiarize yourself with SAP BW/BI hierarchy management through training materials or official SAP documentation to better understand how to manage hierarchies effectively.

    By following these steps, you should be able to identify the cause of the M2644 error and implement a solution to resolve it.

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