How To Fix VHU01071 - Short text for this language already exists

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: VHU01 - Message ID for Master Data Maintenance Packing Objects

• Message number: 071

• Message text: Short text for this language already exists

Self-Explanatory Message

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• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message VHU01071 - Short text for this language already exists ?

  SAP Error Message:
  
  VHU01071 - Short text for this language already exists
  
  Cause:
  This error occurs when you try to create or add a short text (description) for a material, service, or any master data in a particular language, but a short text in that language already exists in the system. SAP does not allow duplicate short texts for the same object and language combination.
  
  Explanation:
  
  In SAP, short texts (descriptions) are language-dependent.
  When maintaining texts (e.g., material short texts, service descriptions), each language can have only one short text entry.
  Attempting to create a new short text in a language where one already exists triggers this error.
  
  
  Solution:
  
  
  Check Existing Texts:
  
  Before adding a new short text, verify if a short text already exists for the language in question.
  Use transaction codes like MM02 (Change Material) or the relevant master data transaction to view existing texts.
  
  
  
  Modify Instead of Create:
  
  If a short text exists and you want to update it, modify the existing text instead of creating a new one.
  
  
  
  Delete if Necessary:
  
  If the existing short text is incorrect or obsolete, delete it first before creating a new one.
  
  
  
  Use Correct Language Key:
  
  Ensure you are entering the short text under the correct language key to avoid conflicts.
  
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  This message is common in material master data maintenance, service master, or any other master data where language-dependent texts are maintained.
  The message is part of the standard SAP text management validation.
  If you encounter this error during data upload (e.g., LSMW, BAPI), check the source data for duplicate entries in the same language.
  For multilingual environments, always maintain texts carefully to avoid duplication.
  
  
  Summary:
  
  
  
  Aspect
  Details
  
  
  
  
  Error
  VHU01071 - Short text for this language already exists
  
  
  Cause
  Attempt to create a duplicate short text in the same language
  
  
  Solution
  Modify existing text or delete before creating a new one
  
  
  Check
  Existing short texts in the relevant language
  
  
  
  
  If you need further assistance, please provide the context (e.g., transaction code, master data type) where the error occurs.