How To Fix SQADB040 - The question already has an externally assigned number

SQADB040 - Overview

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: SQADB - Question and Answer Database Messages

• Message number: 040

• Message text: The question already has an externally assigned number

What causes this issue?

You want to assign an internal number to a question, but it already has
a valid number, so no internal number is assigned.

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.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message SQADB040 - The question already has an externally assigned number ?

  The SAP error message SQADB040, which states "The question already has an externally assigned number," typically occurs in the context of SAP's Quality Management (QM) or similar modules where questions or issues are being tracked and managed. This error indicates that the system is trying to assign an external number to a question that has already been assigned one, leading to a conflict.
  
  Cause:
  
  Duplicate Assignment: The most common cause of this error is an attempt to assign an external number to a question that has already been assigned one. This can happen if the same question is being processed multiple times or if there is a misunderstanding in the workflow.
  Data Integrity Issues: There may be issues with data integrity in the database, where the system does not recognize that the question has already been assigned an external number.
  
  Configuration Issues: Incorrect configuration settings in the SAP system related to question management or