How To Fix BT737 - XML warning '&' (total &)

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: BT - Background processing messages

• Message number: 737

• Message text: XML warning '&' (total &)

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 BT737 - XML warning '&' (total &) ?

  The SAP error message BT737, which indicates an XML warning related to the use of the '&' character, typically arises when the XML data being processed contains special characters that are not properly encoded. In XML, certain characters have special meanings, and the '&' character is one of them. It is used to denote the beginning of an entity reference, so if it appears in the data without being properly encoded, it can lead to parsing errors or warnings.
  Cause:
  The specific cause of the BT737 warning is usually due to the presence of the '&' character in the XML content without being escaped. In XML, the '&' character should be replaced with & to avoid confusion with entity references.
  Solution:
  To resolve the BT737 warning, you should ensure that any occurrence of the '&' character in your XML data is properly encoded. Here are the steps you can take:
  
  
  Identify the Source of the XML Data: Determine where the XML data is being generated or modified. This could be from an application, a database, or user input.
  
  
  Escape Special Characters: Modify the code or process that generates the XML to escape the '&' character. Replace all instances of '&' with &. 
  
  
  Validate XML: Use an XML validator to check the structure of your XML data. This can help identify other potential issues as well.
  
  
  Test the Changes: After making the necessary changes, test the XML processing again to ensure that the warning no longer appears.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  
  XML Character Escaping: In addition to '&', other characters that need to be escaped in XML include:
  
  < should be replaced with &lt;
  > should be replaced with &gt;
  " should be replaced with &quot;
  ' should be replaced with &apos;
  
  
  
  SAP Documentation: Refer to SAP's official documentation or support notes for more specific guidance related to your version of SAP and the context in which the error occurs.
  
  
  Debugging Tools: Utilize debugging tools or transaction codes in SAP (like SLG1 for application logs) to trace the source of the XML data and identify where the issue originates.
  
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the BT737 XML warning and ensure that your XML data is correctly formatted.