How To Fix RSDMD005 - Characteristic &1: NAV attribute &2 cannot be activated due to key change

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: RSDMD - Messages for master data

• Message number: 005

• Message text: Characteristic &1: NAV attribute &2 cannot be activated due to key change

Self-Explanatory Message

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message RSDMD005 - Characteristic &1: NAV attribute &2 cannot be activated due to key change ?

  The SAP error message RSDMD005 indicates that there is an issue with activating a navigation attribute (NAV attribute) for a characteristic in a Data Warehouse (BW) InfoObject. The specific error message states that the NAV attribute cannot be activated due to a key change. This typically occurs when there are inconsistencies or changes in the key fields of the characteristic that prevent the activation of the NAV attribute.
  Cause:
  
  Key Change: The most common cause of this error is that the key fields of the characteristic have been modified. This could happen if the characteristic was changed from a non-key to a key field or vice versa.
  Inconsistent Data: If there are existing data records that do not conform to the new key structure, the system will prevent the activation of the NAV attribute.
  Data Model Changes: Changes in the underlying data model or relationships between InfoObjects can also lead to this error.
  
  Solution:
  
  Check Key Fields: Review the definition of the characteristic and ensure that the key fields have not been changed inappropriately. If changes were made, consider reverting them if they are not necessary.
  Data Consistency: Ensure that the data in the InfoObject is consistent with the new key structure. You may need to clean up or adjust the data records that are causing the inconsistency.
  Re-activate the InfoObject: After addressing the key field issues, try to re-activate the InfoObject. This can often resolve the issue.
  Check for Dependencies: If the characteristic is used in other InfoObjects or queries, check for dependencies that might be affected by the key change.
  Transport Requests: If the changes were made in a development environment, ensure that the transport requests are correctly managed and that the changes are properly reflected in the target environment.
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: You can use transaction codes like RSA1 (Data Warehousing Workbench) to manage InfoObjects and check their attributes.
  SAP Notes: Check for relevant SAP Notes that might provide additional insights or patches related to this error.
  Documentation: Review SAP documentation on InfoObjects and NAV attributes for best practices and guidelines on managing key fields and attributes.
  
  If the issue persists after trying the above solutions, it may be beneficial to consult with your SAP Basis or BW team for further analysis and support.