How To Fix MDG_DT_UI018 - Hierarchy attribute &1 is already defined for the foreign entity &2

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: MDG_DT_UI - Messages related to the Configuration Workbench UI

• Message number: 018

• Message text: Hierarchy attribute &1 is already defined for the foreign entity &2

Self-Explanatory Message

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message MDG_DT_UI018 - Hierarchy attribute &1 is already defined for the foreign entity &2 ?

  The SAP error message MDG_DT_UI018 typically occurs in the context of Master Data Governance (MDG) when there is an issue with the definition of hierarchy attributes in the data model. This error indicates that a hierarchy attribute is already defined for a foreign entity, which means that there is a conflict in the data model configuration.
  Cause:
  The error can arise due to several reasons:
  
  Duplicate Hierarchy Attributes: The hierarchy attribute you are trying to define is already associated with another entity or is defined multiple times within the same context.
  Incorrect Configuration: There may be a misconfiguration in the data model where the same attribute is being referenced incorrectly.
  Data Model Changes: If there have been recent changes to the data model, such as adding or modifying hierarchy attributes, it may lead to conflicts if not handled properly.
  
  Solution:
  To resolve the error, you can take the following steps:
  
  
  Check Existing Definitions:
  
  Review the data model configuration to identify if the hierarchy attribute is already defined for the specified foreign entity. You can do this by navigating to the relevant data model in the MDG configuration.
  
  
  
  Remove Duplicates:
  
  If you find that the hierarchy attribute is indeed defined multiple times, you will need to remove or modify the duplicate definitions to ensure that each attribute is unique within the context of the entity.
  
  
  
  Adjust Configuration:
  
  If the hierarchy attribute is necessary for both entities, consider adjusting the configuration to ensure that they do not conflict. This may involve renaming attributes or restructuring the hierarchy.
  
  
  
  Transport Changes:
  
  If the issue arose after a transport of changes, ensure that all related objects and dependencies were transported correctly. Sometimes, missing dependencies can lead to such errors.
  
  
  
  Consult Documentation:
  
  Refer to SAP documentation or notes related to MDG and hierarchy attributes for any specific guidelines or known issues that might relate to your situation.
  
  
  
  Testing:
  
  After making changes, test the configuration in a development or quality assurance environment before moving to production to ensure that the error is resolved.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Notes: Check for any relevant SAP Notes that might address this specific error or provide additional troubleshooting steps.
  MDG Configuration Guide: Review the Master Data Governance configuration guide for best practices on defining hierarchy attributes and managing data models.
  Community Forums: Engage with SAP community forums or support channels where similar issues may have been discussed, and solutions shared.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to identify the cause of the error and implement a solution to resolve it.