Symptom
- Need to add a business key field for a custom MDF object, but it fails with the error: "There are existing records that don't have a value on the business key field. Please correct them: …"
- When exporting the object data, no obvious records appear with missing values for the intended business key field.
Environment
SAP SuccessFactors HCM Suite
Reproducing the Issue
- Go to Configure Object Definitions.
- Select the object
- Set the target field to "Required"
- Assign the field under the Business Key field
- Save > Error is shown
Cause
- Duplicate data exists in the child object
- Some existing records do not have a value in the field intended to become the business key
Resolution
- Export all records for the affected MDF object
- Identify and remove duplicate records that would violate the intended uniqueness of the new business key
- Locate any records where the intended business key field is blank
- Clean the dataset by deleting or consolidating duplicates and by ensuring the intended business key field is populated for all existing records
- Import the cleaned data back using Full Purge to remove duplicates and overwrite existing entries
- Try to set the field as business key again
- If the error persists, repeat the export to verify no remaining duplicates or blanks exist in the intended business key field, then re-import with Full Purge and retry
See Also
- Refer to: Adding Business Key Fields (MDF)
Keywords
mdf, business key, unable to save object definition, existing records don't have a value on the business key field, duplicate records, full purge, import, export, parent-child object, child object, configure object definitions, required field, data cleanup, mdf validation, object definition save error , KBA , LOD-SF-MDF-IMP , Import and Export Issues , How To
Product
SAP SuccessFactors HCM Suite all versions
SAP Knowledge Base Article - Public