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How To Fix 5M401 - File & load error: Conversion


SAP Error Message - Details

  • Message type: E = Error

  • Message class: 5M - Error Messages for Denmark

  • Message number: 401

  • Message text: File & load error: Conversion

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  • Self-Explanatory Message

    Since SAP believes that this specific error message is 'self-explanatory,' no more information has been given.The majority of messages in the SAP system have a message text, however this is frequently insufficient to comprehend or resolve the problem.

    To make things easier, more detailed information is frequently added to describe the issue, how to fix it, and the necessary steps or configuration modifications.

    Unfortunately, there isn't any extra information in this error notice.



    What else can you do?

    First, use our AnswerBot below to get a possible cause and solution (requires a premium subscription).

    Also, review the in-depth Common Questions & Answers listed below; you could discover a solution there or be able to connect with others who have faced similar challenges.

    You can also try searching the SAP support portal (support.sap.com) but you need a special user ID to access it. It is possible that an SAP support note exists that provides additional details about the mistake or even steps for fixing it.


Smart SAP Assistant

  • What is the cause and solution for SAP error message 5M401 - File & load error: Conversion ?

    The SAP error message 5M401, which indicates a "File & load error: Conversion," typically occurs during data import processes, such as when loading data from flat files into SAP systems. This error suggests that there is an issue with the conversion of data from the source file format to the expected format in SAP.

    Causes:

    1. Data Format Mismatch: The data in the source file may not match the expected format in SAP. For example, numeric fields may contain non-numeric characters, or date formats may differ.
    2. Encoding Issues: The character encoding of the source file may not be compatible with the SAP system, leading to conversion errors.
    3. Field Length Exceedance: Data in the source file may exceed the defined length of the corresponding fields in SAP.
    4. Invalid Characters: The presence of special or invalid characters in the data can cause conversion failures.
    5. Incorrect Mapping: The mapping of fields between the source file and the target SAP structure may be incorrect.

    Solutions:

    1. Check Data Format: Review the source file to ensure that all data adheres to the expected formats defined in the SAP data structure. Correct any discrepancies.
    2. Verify Encoding: Ensure that the file is saved with the correct character encoding (e.g., UTF-8) that is compatible with SAP.
    3. Field Length Validation: Check the lengths of the data fields in the source file and ensure they do not exceed the maximum lengths defined in SAP.
    4. Clean Data: Remove any invalid characters or special characters that may not be supported by SAP.
    5. Review Mapping: Double-check the mapping of fields to ensure that each field in the source file corresponds correctly to the target fields in SAP.
    6. Use Data Conversion Tools: If necessary, use data conversion tools or scripts to preprocess the data before loading it into SAP.

    Related Information:

    • SAP Documentation: Refer to SAP's official documentation for guidelines on data import processes and error handling.
    • Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes such as LSMW (Legacy System Migration Workbench) or BAPIs for data uploads.
    • Error Logs: Check the error logs in SAP for more detailed information about the specific cause of the conversion error.
    • Testing: Conduct tests with smaller datasets to isolate and resolve issues before attempting to load larger files.

    By addressing the above causes and implementing the suggested solutions, you should be able to resolve the 5M401 error and successfully load your data into the SAP system.

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