How To Fix RTCMMD405 - An active article hierarchy already exists (data inconsistency)

RTCMMD405 - Overview

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: RTCMMD - Article Hierarchy

• Message number: 405

• Message text: An active article hierarchy already exists (data inconsistency)

What causes this issue?

If the <ZK>End Node Check</> indicator is set, a check is run on active
article hierarchies to ensure that value-only articles are only attached
to end nodes. If the indicator is set and active article hierarchies
already exist in the system, a warning is issued to make the user aware
of potential data inconsistency.

System Response

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

How to fix this error?

Procedure for System Administrators

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

RTCMMD405 - Details

• The SAP error message RTCMMD405, which states "An active article hierarchy already exists (data inconsistency)," typically occurs in the context of managing article hierarchies in SAP Retail or SAP S/4HANA. This error indicates that there is an attempt to create or activate a new article hierarchy while another active hierarchy already exists, leading to a data inconsistency.
  
  Cause:
  
  Existing Active Hierarchy: The primary cause of this error is that there is already an active article hierarchy in the system. SAP does not allow multiple active hierarchies for the same article type at the same time.
  Data Inconsistency: There may be inconsistencies in the data that prevent the system from recognizing the current state of hierarchies.
  Incorrect Configuration: The configuration settings for article hierarchies may not be set up correctly, leading to conflicts.
  
  
  Solution:
  
  
  Check Existing Hierarchies:
  
  Use transaction codes like MM42 (Change Article) or MM43 (Display Article) to check if there is an existing active article hierarchy.
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