"Null was returned to FindSpecific" error message when adding list items with BCS columns (4309519)

When copying list items from SharePoint 2010 to 2013, which contain BCS columns, the following error message may be thrown:

Exception: AddListItem - No ObjectXml [Error setting field data: Target Field Name: Test_Col, Target Type: BusinessData, Source Value: 100 , Exception: Null was returned to FindSpecific (Read Item operation).]

Suppose there are 2 columns (Col 1 and Col 2) inside a database table, which is used to configure external content type at both source and target environments.

The error message is thrown because Content Matrix is not able to fetch Col 2's value at target as it is not set as Identifier. While adding an item when we give the value for the BCS column, the value for Col 1 is entered and as a result the value of corresponding Col 2 is displayed. So during migration, the tool tries to fetch value of Col 2 and thus Col 2 has to be set as Identifier at target.

Below are the affected connection adapters:

• Metalogix Extensions Web Service (MEWS)
• Local Object Model (OM)

Note: This is not required for Client Side Object Model (CSOM).

For this issue to be resolved, user needs to properly map the database column as Identifier at target. While creating external content type for database connection at source, if Col 1 is marked as ‘Map to Identifier’ for Read Item Operation, then at target, Col 2 should be marked as ‘Map to Identifier’ for Read Item Operation.