How To Fix MC231 - Foreign key from & to & does not exist

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: MC - Aggregate: views, matchcodes, lock objects

• Message number: 231

• Message text: Foreign key from & to & does not exist

What causes this issue?

No foreign key relationship was maintained yet between the primary
table and one of the secondary tables of the aggregate.
The secondary tables of an aggregate must be connected with the primary
table of this aggregate by means of foreign key relationships. This
connection can also be transitive.

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?

Go to the single field maintenance of the corresponding secondary
table. Position the cursor to the field for which the foreign key should
be maintained and go to the foreign key maintenance screen by selecting
the function <LS>Foreign keys</>.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message MC231 - Foreign key from & to & does not exist ?

  The SAP error message MC231, which states "Foreign key from & to & does not exist," typically occurs in the context of Material Management (MM) or Production Planning (PP) modules when there is an issue with the foreign key relationships in the database. This error indicates that the system is trying to reference a key that does not exist in the related table.
  Causes:
  
  
  Missing Master Data: The foreign key that the system is trying to reference may not exist in the relevant master data tables. For example, if you are trying to reference a material or vendor that has not been created or has been deleted.
  
  
  Incorrect Configuration: There may be an issue with the configuration settings in the system that define the relationships between different entities (e.g., materials, vendors, etc.).
  
  
  Data Inconsistency: There could be inconsistencies in the data due to incomplete transactions or errors during data migration.
  
  
  Authorization Issues: Sometimes, the user may not have the necessary authorizations to view or access the related data, leading to this error.
  
  
  Solutions:
  
  
  Check Master Data: Verify that the foreign key (e.g., material number, vendor number) exists in the relevant master data tables. You can do this by using transaction codes like MM03 (Display Material) or XK03 (Display Vendor).
  
  
  Review Configuration: Check the configuration settings in the system to ensure that the foreign key relationships are correctly defined. This may involve reviewing settings in the IMG (Implementation Guide).
  
  
  Data Consistency Check: Run data consistency checks to identify and resolve any inconsistencies in the database. This may involve using transaction codes like SE11 (Data Dictionary) to analyze the tables involved.
  
  
  Authorization Check: Ensure that the user has the necessary authorizations to access the data. You can check user roles and authorizations using transaction code SU01 (User Maintenance).
  
  
  Debugging: If the issue persists, consider debugging the program or transaction that is generating the error to identify the exact point of failure.
  
  
  Consult Documentation: Refer to SAP documentation or support notes related to the specific transaction or module you are working with for additional guidance.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes such as MM03, XK03, SE11, and SU01 for checking master data and authorizations.
  SAP Notes: Search for SAP Notes related to error MC231 in the SAP Support Portal for any known issues or patches.
  Community Forums: Engage with SAP community forums or user groups for insights from other users who may have encountered similar issues.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to identify the cause of the MC231 error and implement a suitable solution.