How To Fix R7138 - Characteristic &1: Compound is incompletely defined

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: R7 - BW: Data basis

• Message number: 138

• Message text: Characteristic &1: Compound is incompletely defined

Self-Explanatory Message

Since SAP believes that this specific error message is 'self-explanatory,' no more information has been given.The majority of messages in the SAP system have a message text, however this is frequently insufficient to comprehend or resolve the problem.

To make things easier, more detailed information is frequently added to describe the issue, how to fix it, and the necessary steps or configuration modifications.

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message R7138 - Characteristic &1: Compound is incompletely defined ?

  The SAP error message R7138, which states "Characteristic &1: Compound is incompletely defined," typically occurs in the context of SAP's classification system, particularly when dealing with characteristics and their values in the context of material master data or classification data.
  Cause:
  This error indicates that a characteristic (denoted by &1) is part of a compound characteristic but is not fully defined. A compound characteristic is a characteristic that is made up of multiple individual characteristics. The error can arise due to several reasons:
  
  Missing Values: One or more of the individual characteristics that make up the compound characteristic may not have been assigned values.
  Incorrect Configuration: The configuration of the compound characteristic may be incorrect, leading to incomplete definitions.
  Data Entry Errors: There may be errors in data entry where the required fields for the compound characteristic are not filled out correctly.
  Inconsistent Data: The data in the system may be inconsistent, leading to the compound characteristic being unable to resolve properly.
  
  Solution:
  To resolve the R7138 error, you can take the following steps:
  
  
  Check Characteristic Definition: Go to the classification view in SAP and check the definition of the characteristic that is causing the error. Ensure that all required fields are filled out correctly.
  
  
  Review Compound Characteristics: If the characteristic is part of a compound, review the individual characteristics that make up the compound. Ensure that all necessary characteristics are defined and have valid values.
  
  
  Data Entry Validation: Validate the data entry for the material or object that is causing the error. Make sure that all required characteristics are populated with appropriate values.
  
  
  Use Transaction Codes: You can use transaction codes like CT04 (to maintain characteristics) or CL02 (to maintain classes) to review and correct the definitions and values.
  
  
  Check for Dependencies: If there are dependencies or conditions that affect the compound characteristic, ensure that they are correctly set up and that all conditions are met.
  
  
  Consult Documentation: If you are unsure about the configuration or the required values, consult the SAP documentation or your organization's SAP support team for guidance.
  
  
  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 how they resolved them.
  Training and Documentation: Review training materials or documentation related to SAP classification and characteristics to better understand how to manage them effectively.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to identify the root cause of the R7138 error and implement the necessary corrections to resolve it.