How To Fix SE388 - Outline level & ( & ) in hierarchy level & not unique

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: SE - Dienstleistungen Stammdaten Leistungsposition

• Message number: 388

• Message text: Outline level & ( & ) in hierarchy level & not unique

Self-Explanatory Message

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message SE388 - Outline level & ( & ) in hierarchy level & not unique ?

  The SAP error message SE388 indicates that there is a problem with the uniqueness of outline levels in a hierarchy. This error typically occurs when you are trying to create or modify a hierarchy in SAP, and the system detects that there are duplicate entries for a specific outline level.
  Cause:
  The error message "Outline level & ( & ) in hierarchy level & not unique" usually arises due to one of the following reasons:
  
  Duplicate Entries: There are multiple entries with the same key or identifier at the specified outline level in the hierarchy.
  Incorrect Data Entry: During the creation or modification of the hierarchy, the same outline level has been assigned to more than one node.
  Data Consistency Issues: There may be inconsistencies in the data that have not been resolved, leading to duplicates.
  
  Solution:
  To resolve the SE388 error, you can follow these steps:
  
  
  Check Hierarchy Structure:
  
  Review the hierarchy structure to identify where the duplicates are occurring. You can do this by navigating to the hierarchy in question and examining the outline levels.
  
  
  
  Identify Duplicates:
  
  Use transaction codes like SE11 (Data Dictionary) or SE16 (Data Browser) to check the underlying tables for the hierarchy. Look for entries that have the same key or identifier.
  
  
  
  Modify or Delete Duplicates:
  
  Once you have identified the duplicate entries, you can either modify them to ensure uniqueness or delete the unnecessary duplicates.
  
  
  
  Recreate the Hierarchy:
  
  If the hierarchy is complex and difficult to manage, consider recreating it from scratch, ensuring that each outline level is unique.
  
  
  
  Data Validation:
  
  Implement data validation checks to prevent the entry of duplicate outline levels in the future.
  
  
  
  Consult Documentation:
  
  Refer to SAP documentation or help resources for specific guidelines related to the hierarchy you are working with.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes such as SE11, SE16, SE38, and others that may help in managing hierarchies.
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any known issues or patches related to hierarchy management that may address this error.
  User Roles and Permissions: Ensure that you have the necessary permissions to modify the hierarchy and that you are following the correct procedures as per your organization's guidelines.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the SE388 error and ensure that your hierarchy is correctly structured without duplicate outline levels.