How To Fix UGMD500 - Higher-level characteristic is ambiguous

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: UGMD - FIN Master Data: Messages

• Message number: 500

• Message text: Higher-level characteristic is ambiguous

What causes this issue?

*** only the 2 variables were changed ***
While reading hierarchy &V1& from BW System &V2&, the system discovered
several values for the higher-level characteristic that is over the
hierarchy-carrying characteristic. However, in the definition of the
hierarchy, only one value is allowed for the higher-level characteristic
in the entire hierarchy.

System Response

The hierarchy will not be transferred from the BW system.

How to fix this error?

Change the definition of the hierarchy in the BW System and restart the
hierarchy transfer.

Procedure for System Administrators

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

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message UGMD500 - Higher-level characteristic is ambiguous ?

  The SAP error message UGMD500, which states "Higher-level characteristic is ambiguous," typically occurs in the context of SAP's classification system, particularly when dealing with characteristics and values in the context of material master data or classification data.
  Cause:
  The error arises when there is ambiguity in the classification hierarchy. This can happen due to several reasons:
  
  Multiple Assignments: A characteristic is assigned to multiple higher-level characteristics, leading to confusion about which higher-level characteristic should be used.
  Inconsistent Data: There may be inconsistencies in the data where the same characteristic is defined differently under different higher-level characteristics.
  Missing Relationships: The relationships between characteristics and their higher-level counterparts may not be properly defined or may be missing.
  
  Solution:
  To resolve the UGMD500 error, you can take the following steps:
  
  
  Check Characteristic Assignments:
  
  Go to the classification view in SAP and check the assignments of characteristics to higher-level characteristics.
  Ensure that each characteristic is assigned to only one higher-level characteristic.
  
  
  
  Review the Classification Hierarchy:
  
  Navigate to the classification hierarchy and verify that the relationships between characteristics are correctly defined.
  Make sure that there are no duplicate or conflicting assignments.
  
  
  
  Data Consistency Check:
  
  Perform a consistency check on the classification data to identify any inconsistencies or errors.
  Use transaction codes like CL02 (Change Class) or CL03 (Display Class) to review and modify the classification data.
  
  
  
  Adjust Material Master Data:
  
  If the error occurs while working with material master data, check the material's classification and ensure that it aligns with the defined characteristics and values.
  
  
  
  Consult Documentation:
  
  Refer to SAP documentation or help resources for specific guidelines on managing characteristics and classifications.
  
  
  
  Seek Help from SAP Support:
  
  If the issue persists, consider reaching out to SAP support for further assistance, especially if it involves complex classification scenarios.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes such as CL01 (Create Class), CL02 (Change Class), CL03 (Display Class), and CL24 (Display Characteristics).
  SAP Notes: Check for any SAP Notes related to classification and characteristics that might provide additional insights or solutions.
  Training and Documentation: Consider training sessions or documentation on SAP classification management to better understand how to manage characteristics and avoid such errors in the future.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to identify and resolve the UGMD500 error effectively.