How To Fix SBDS039 - Error when searching for links. Document is not unique

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: SBDS - Message Class: Business Document Service

• Message number: 039

• Message text: Error when searching for links. Document is not unique

What causes this issue?

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

System Response

How to fix this error?

specify a unique document.

Procedure for System Administrators

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message SBDS039 - Error when searching for links. Document is not unique ?

  The SAP error message SBDS039, which states "Error when searching for links. Document is not unique," typically occurs in the context of SAP Business Document Services (BDS) when there is an issue with document linking or retrieval. This error indicates that the system has found multiple documents that match the search criteria, leading to ambiguity in identifying a unique document.
  Causes:
  
  Non-Unique Document Entries: There are multiple documents in the system that match the search criteria, causing the system to be unable to determine which document to link to.
  Incorrect Search Parameters: The search parameters used may not be specific enough, leading to multiple results.
  Data Integrity Issues: There may be issues with the data integrity in the document management system, such as duplicate entries or incorrect metadata.
  
  Solutions:
  
  Refine Search Criteria: Modify the search parameters to be more specific. This could involve adding additional filters or criteria to narrow down the results.
  Check for Duplicates: Review the documents in the system to identify and resolve any duplicates. This may involve merging documents or deleting unnecessary duplicates.
  Review Document Metadata: Ensure that the metadata associated with the documents is accurate and unique. This can help in distinguishing between different documents.
  Consult SAP Documentation: Refer to SAP's official documentation or support resources for guidance on handling document linking issues.
  System Configuration: Check the configuration settings for the document management system to ensure that it is set up correctly to handle document links.
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Notes: Check for any relevant SAP Notes that may address this specific error or provide additional troubleshooting steps.
  SAP Community: Engage with the SAP Community forums to see if other users have encountered similar issues and what solutions they have found.
  Support: If the issue persists, consider reaching out to SAP Support for assistance, providing them with detailed information about the error and the context in which it occurs.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to address the SBDS039 error and improve the document linking process in your SAP environment.