How to Resolve the "Parent variation type is VAP but no variation theme on parent" Error

The Error

Message Validation Failed: Parent variation type is VAP, but no variation theme on parent: unknown

What this means

This error occurs when a product is flagged as a Variation Parent (VAP), but the specific attribute that defines the variation (e.g., Size, Color, or both) has not been assigned. Essentially, the system knows variations exist but doesn't know how to categorize them.

Resolution Steps

Part 1: Update the Parent Product

Log in to the Acenda Admin Tool.
Navigate to the Parent Product triggering the error.
On the Details tab, scroll down to the Product Options section and click Edit.
Enter the variation theme(s) (e.g., size or color).
- Note: These must be entered in lowercase. Type the value and press Enter to confirm the tag before saving.
Click Save.

Part 2: Update Variant SKUs

Once the Parent is set, you must assign specific values to each individual variant.

On the Parent Product page, click the Variants tab.
Click into the Details for each variant SKU.
Enter the specific Size and/or Color values.
Click Save and repeat for all variants.

Target+ Approved Values Cheat Sheet

To ensure your products are accepted by Target+, we recommend using their "Tried and True" naming conventions.

Approved Colors

Standard Colors
Beige	Black	Blue	Brown
Gray	Green	Ivory	Multicolor
Pink	Red	White	Navy

Approved Sizes

Category	Approved Formats
Apparel (Alpha)	XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL, XXXL, One Size, OS
Apparel (Numeric)	0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20
Footwear (Numeric)	5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10...
Kids & Baby	NB, 0–3M, 3–6M, 12M, 18M, 24M, 2T, 3T, 4T, 5T

🚩 What to Avoid (Common Rejections)

To prevent your items from being rejected during syndication, avoid these common formatting mistakes:

Ranges: Do not use "S–M" or "6–8". Pick one specific size.
Marketing Text: Avoid terms like "Relaxed Fit," "Athletic," or "Oversized" in the size field.
Demographics: Do not include "Men’s" or "Women’s" in the size field (e.g., use 10, not Men's 10).
Non-standard Abbreviations: Never use "SM", "LG", or "MED". Stick to the approved Alpha list above.
Descriptors: Do not add "Petite" or "Tall" directly into the size field.

Part 3: Verify and Sync

After saving your changes, return to the Variants tab on the Parent Product. You should see the specific Size and Color values populated next to each SKU.

The error will automatically resolve during the next scheduled syndication to Target+.