How To Fix XW173 - Select the option of 'Eliminate Duplicate Records' for Outer Join

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: XW - DART - Data Retention Tool

• Message number: 173

• Message text: Select the option of 'Eliminate Duplicate Records' for Outer Join

What causes this issue?

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

System Response

Whenever the join condition is defined as Outer Join, there would be
large number of records selected. There is a possibility that there
could be duplicate records also. This could lead to wrong result.

How to fix this error?

Select the option of 'Eliminate Duplicate Records' under 'Attributes'
section.

Procedure for System Administrators

In the View Definition go to the section of 'Attributes' and select the
option of 'Eliminate Duplicate Records'.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message XW173 - Select the option of 'Eliminate Duplicate Records' for Outer Join ?

  The SAP error message XW173, which states "Select the option of 'Eliminate Duplicate Records' for Outer Join," typically occurs in the context of using queries or reports that involve outer joins in SAP systems, particularly in SAP BW (Business Warehouse) or SAP Query.
  Cause:
  This error arises when you are trying to execute a query that includes an outer join, but the system detects that there are potential duplicate records in the result set. Outer joins can produce multiple rows for a single record in the primary table if there are multiple matching records in the joined table. To handle this situation, SAP requires you to specify how to deal with these duplicates.
  Solution:
  To resolve this error, you need to adjust the settings in your query or report to eliminate duplicate records. Here are the steps you can follow:
  
  
  Open the Query Designer: If you are using SAP BW, open the Query Designer for the specific query that is causing the error.
  
  
  Check the Join Conditions: Review the outer join conditions in your query. Ensure that they are correctly defined and that you understand how they might produce duplicates.
  
  
  Select 'Eliminate Duplicate Records':
  
  In the Query Designer, look for an option or checkbox labeled "Eliminate Duplicate Records" or similar.
  Enable this option. This tells the system to filter out duplicate records from the result set.
  
  
  
  Save and Execute the Query: After making the changes, save your query and try executing it again. The error should no longer appear if the duplicates are handled correctly.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  
  Understanding Outer Joins: An outer join returns all records from one table and the matched records from the other table. If there is no match, NULL values are returned for columns from the table that does not have a match. This can lead to duplicate records if the joined table has multiple matches.
  
  
  Performance Considerations: Eliminating duplicates can impact performance, especially with large datasets. It's essential to ensure that the query is optimized for performance while still providing the necessary data.
  
  
  Testing: After making changes, it’s a good practice to test the query with different parameters to ensure that it behaves as expected and that the data returned is accurate.
  
  
  Documentation: Refer to SAP documentation or help resources for more detailed guidance on query design and handling joins, as well as best practices for data modeling in SAP BW.
  
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the XW173 error and successfully execute your query.