How To Fix R7573 - Characteristic &1: Attribute &2 must not reference the char. itself

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: R7 - BW: Data basis

• Message number: 573

• Message text: Characteristic &1: Attribute &2 must not reference the char. itself

What causes this issue?

Characteristic &V2& references characteristic &V1&. It has the same
master data table and the same attributes as characteristic &V1&.
Therefore, characteristic &V2& cannot be used as an attribute with
characteristic &V1&. If that were so, characteristic &V2& would be its
own attribute at the same time.

System Response

Characteristic &V1& cannot be activated.

How to fix this error?

Take characteristic &V2& out of the attribute list for &V1&, or define
a new characteristic with referencing to characteristic &V1&, and use
the new characteristic as an attribute of &V1&.

Procedure for System Administrators

The system issues an error message and will not allow you to continue with this transaction until the error is resolved.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message R7573 - Characteristic &1: Attribute &2 must not reference the char. itself ?

  The SAP error message R7573 indicates that there is a problem with the definition of a characteristic in the context of a characteristic's attributes. Specifically, the error states that an attribute of a characteristic is incorrectly referencing the characteristic itself, which is not allowed.
  Cause:
  The error occurs when you attempt to define an attribute for a characteristic that points back to the same characteristic. This creates a circular reference, which is not permissible in SAP's data model for characteristics and attributes. 
  Solution:
  To resolve this error, you need to check the definition of the characteristic and its attributes. Here are the steps you can take:
  
  
  Review Characteristic Definition: Go to the characteristic in question and review its attributes. Ensure that none of the attributes are referencing the characteristic itself.
  
  
  Modify Attribute References: If you find that an attribute is incorrectly referencing the characteristic, you will need to modify the attribute definition. Change the reference to point to a different characteristic or remove the reference altogether if it is not necessary.
  
  
  Check Dependencies: If the characteristic is part of a hierarchy or has dependencies with other characteristics, ensure that these relationships are correctly defined and do not create circular references.
  
  
  Test Changes: After making the necessary changes, test the characteristic to ensure that the error no longer occurs and that the characteristic behaves as expected.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  
  Characteristics and Attributes: In SAP, characteristics are used to define the properties of objects, while attributes provide additional information about those characteristics. Properly defining these relationships is crucial for data integrity.
  
  
  SAP Documentation: Refer to the SAP Help Portal or specific documentation related to the module you are working with (e.g., SAP BW, SAP MM) for more detailed information on characteristics and attributes.
  
  
  Transaction Codes: You may use transaction codes like CT04 (to create or change characteristics) and CT05 (to create or change attributes) to manage your characteristics and their attributes.
  
  
  SAP Notes: Check for any relevant SAP Notes that might address similar issues or provide additional guidance on handling characteristics and attributes.
  
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the R7573 error and ensure that your characteristic definitions are correctly set up.