Error
Error Code:
308
SAP S/4HANA Error 308: Column Name Exists
Description
This error indicates that an attempt was made to create or modify a database object by adding a column name that is already defined within the same table. It typically occurs during schema changes, system upgrades, or custom development deployments, preventing the operation from completing successfully.
Error Message
ERR_SQL_EXST_COLUMN
Known Causes
3 known causesDuplicate Column Creation
An operation, such as an ALTER TABLE statement or a data migration script, attempted to add a column using a name that already exists in the target database table.
Incomplete Schema Update
During a system upgrade, patch application, or custom object deployment, a schema modification script failed partially, leading to a subsequent attempt to re-create an already existing column.
Custom Development Conflict
A custom ABAP program or Fiori extension attempted to create a database column with a name that conflicts with an existing standard or previously defined custom column.
Solutions
3 solutions available1. Review and Correct Custom Table/View Definition medium
Identify and remove duplicate column names in custom ABAP Dictionary objects.
1
Access the ABAP Dictionary in SAP S/4HANA using transaction SE11.
SE112
Enter the name of the custom table or view that is causing the error and click 'Display'.
3
Navigate to the 'Fields' tab and carefully examine the list of columns.
4
Look for any duplicate column names. The error message 'ERR_SQL_EXST_COLUMN' directly indicates this issue.
5
Rename any duplicate column to a unique name. Ensure the new name adheres to SAP naming conventions.
6
Save the changes and activate the table/view. If there are dependent objects, activate them as well.
2. Investigate Generated Objects by SAP Tools medium
Check for issues in SAP-generated objects, particularly if the error appeared after an upgrade or activation of new functionalities.
1
Identify the specific table or view mentioned in the error log or trace that contains the duplicate column name. This might require consulting SAP support notes or tracing tools.
2
If the object is a SAP standard object or a generated object (e.g., from CDS views, OData services), do NOT directly modify it.
3
Analyze the source of the generation. For CDS views, check the CDS view definition for duplicate field names or incorrect associations.
4
If the error persists and seems to be in a SAP-generated object, it's highly recommended to open a ticket with SAP Support. They can analyze the issue and provide a correction or patch.
5
In some cases, deactivating and reactivating the generating object (e.g., a CDS view) might resolve temporary inconsistencies, but this should be done cautiously in a test environment first.
3. Analyze Database Catalog for Conflicts advanced
Use SQL queries to directly inspect the database catalog for potential naming conflicts, especially in scenarios involving database-level extensions or direct SQL manipulations.
1
Connect to the SAP S/4HANA database using a database client (e.g., SQL Developer for Oracle, HANA Studio for HANA).
2
Execute SQL queries against the database catalog to identify tables and columns. The exact query will depend on your underlying database system (e.g., SAP HANA, Oracle).
SELECT TABLE_NAME, COLUMN_NAME, COUNT(*) FROM SYS.TABLE_COLUMNS WHERE SCHEMA_NAME = 'SAP<SID>' GROUP BY TABLE_NAME, COLUMN_NAME HAVING COUNT(*) > 1;3
Replace 'SAP<SID>' with your actual SAP system schema name.
4
Review the results of the query. Any table listed with a count greater than 1 for a specific column name indicates a duplicate. This might point to an inconsistency between the ABAP Dictionary and the physical database.
5
If duplicates are found at the database level that are not reflected in the ABAP Dictionary, this is a serious inconsistency. Consult SAP Basis and Database Administrators. It might require database-level adjustments, but extreme caution is advised.