How To Fix RH171 - Specify a valid hierarchy basic characteristic

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: RH - BW: Hierarchies ( basic functions )

• Message number: 171

• Message text: Specify a valid hierarchy basic characteristic

What causes this issue?

You entered an invalid hierarchy basic characteristic, or did not enter
a hierarchy basic characteristic at all.

How to fix this error?

Go to InfoObject maintenance, and specify, that the hierarchies are
permitted for the InfoObject, or enter a valid hierarchy basic
characteristic.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message RH171 - Specify a valid hierarchy basic characteristic ?

  The SAP error message RH171 "Specify a valid hierarchy basic characteristic" typically occurs in the context of SAP's Human Capital Management (HCM) module, particularly when dealing with organizational management or reporting structures. This error indicates that the system is expecting a valid characteristic for a hierarchy but is unable to find one.
  Cause:
  
  Invalid Characteristic: The characteristic specified in the hierarchy is not valid or does not exist in the system.
  Missing Configuration: The hierarchy may not be properly configured, or the basic characteristic required for the hierarchy is missing.
  Data Inconsistency: There may be inconsistencies in the data that prevent the system from recognizing the hierarchy.
  Authorization Issues: The user may not have the necessary authorizations to access the hierarchy or the characteristics involved.
  
  Solution:
  
  Check Characteristic: Verify that the characteristic you are trying to use is valid and exists in the system. You can do this by navigating to the relevant configuration settings in SAP.
  Hierarchy Configuration: Ensure that the hierarchy is correctly configured. This includes checking that all necessary characteristics are defined and that they are linked properly.
  Data Validation: Review the data associated with the hierarchy to ensure there are no inconsistencies or missing entries.
  Authorization Check: Ensure that the user has the necessary authorizations to access the hierarchy and the characteristics involved. You may need to consult with your SAP security team to verify this.
  Transaction Codes: Use transaction codes like PPOME (for Organizational Management) or PPOSE (for displaying the organizational structure) to check the hierarchy and characteristics.
  SAP Notes: Check for any relevant SAP Notes or updates that may address this issue. Sometimes, specific bugs or issues are documented by SAP, and applying a patch or update can resolve the problem.
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Documentation: Refer to the official SAP documentation for Organizational Management and Hierarchy Management for detailed guidance on configuring and managing hierarchies.
  Community Forums: SAP Community and other forums can be helpful for finding similar issues faced by other users and the solutions they implemented.
  Support: If the issue persists, consider reaching out to SAP support for assistance, especially if it appears to be a bug or a more complex configuration issue.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to identify the cause of the RH171 error and implement a solution to resolve it.