How To Fix /SCMB/DOCFLOW040 - Copying of data from table &1 into &2 failed due to duplicate key

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: /SCMB/DOCFLOW -

• Message number: 040

• Message text: Copying of data from table &1 into &2 failed due to duplicate key

Self-Explanatory Message

Since SAP believes that this specific error message is 'self-explanatory,' no more information has been given.The majority of messages in the SAP system have a message text, however this is frequently insufficient to comprehend or resolve the problem.

To make things easier, more detailed information is frequently added to describe the issue, how to fix it, and the necessary steps or configuration modifications.

Unfortunately, there isn't any extra information in this error notice.

What else can you do?

First, use our AnswerBot below to get a possible cause and solution (requires a premium subscription).

Also, review the in-depth Common Questions & Answers listed below; you could discover a solution there or be able to connect with others who have faced similar challenges.

You can also try searching the SAP support portal (support.sap.com) but you need a special user ID to access it. It is possible that an SAP support note exists that provides additional details about the mistake or even steps for fixing it.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message /SCMB/DOCFLOW040 - Copying of data from table &1 into &2 failed due to duplicate key ?

  The SAP error message /SCMB/DOCFLOW040 indicates that there was an attempt to copy data from one table to another, but the operation failed due to the presence of duplicate keys in the source table. This error typically occurs in the context of data processing within the Supply Chain Management (SCM) module, particularly when dealing with document flow or data transfer processes.
  Cause:
  
  Duplicate Keys: The primary cause of this error is that the source table (&1) contains duplicate entries for the key fields that are supposed to be unique in the target table (&2). When the system tries to copy data, it encounters these duplicates and cannot proceed.
  Data Integrity Issues: There may be underlying data integrity issues in the source table, such as incorrect data entry or a failure in previous data processing steps that should have ensured uniqueness.
  Configuration Issues: There might be configuration settings in the system that do not align with the expected data structure, leading to conflicts during data transfer.
  
  Solution:
  
  
  Identify Duplicates: 
  
  Use SQL queries or SAP transaction codes (like SE16 or SE11) to check the source table for duplicate entries based on the key fields. 
  Example SQL query: 
  SELECT key_field, COUNT(*)
  FROM source_table
  GROUP BY key_field
  HAVING COUNT(*) > 1;
  
  
  
  
  Resolve Duplicates: 
  
  Once duplicates are identified, you need to decide how to handle them. Options include:
  
  Deleting the duplicate entries if they are not needed.
  Merging the duplicate entries if they contain complementary information.
  Correcting the data to ensure that only unique entries remain.
  
  
  
  
  
  Check Data Transfer Logic: 
  
  Review the logic or program that is performing the data transfer to ensure it is correctly handling duplicates. This may involve modifying the code to check for existing entries in the target table before attempting to copy.
  
  
  
  Re-run the Process: 
  
  After resolving the duplicates, re-run the data transfer process to see if the error persists.
  
  
  
  Consult Documentation: 
  
  Check SAP documentation or notes related to the specific transaction or process you are working with for any additional guidance or known issues.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes such as SE16 (Data Browser), SE11 (Data Dictionary), and SE80 (Object Navigator) for analyzing tables and data structures.
  SAP Notes: Search for SAP Notes related to the error message or the specific tables involved for any patches or updates that may address the issue.
  Support: If the issue persists after attempting the above solutions, consider reaching out to SAP support or your internal SAP team for further assistance.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to identify the cause of the error and implement a solution to resolve it.