How To Fix /SCWM/CCHECK656 - Special characters are not allowed in the CSV file

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: /SCWM/CCHECK -

• Message number: 656

• Message text: Special characters are not allowed in the CSV file

Self-Explanatory Message

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message /SCWM/CCHECK656 - Special characters are not allowed in the CSV file ?

  The SAP error message /SCWM/CCHECK656 indicates that special characters are not allowed in the CSV file being processed. This error typically arises when importing data into the SAP Extended Warehouse Management (EWM) system, and it can occur in various scenarios, such as during data uploads or when processing files for inventory management.
  Cause:
  The error is caused by the presence of special characters in the CSV file that do not conform to the expected format. Special characters can include symbols like @, #, $, %, ^, &, *, (, ), and others that are not part of the standard alphanumeric set. These characters can disrupt the parsing of the CSV file and lead to data integrity issues.
  Solution:
  To resolve this error, follow these steps:
  
  
  Identify Special Characters: Open the CSV file in a text editor or spreadsheet application (like Excel) and look for any special characters in the data fields. Pay special attention to headers and values.
  
  
  Remove or Replace Special Characters: 
  
  If special characters are not necessary, remove them from the file.
  If they are needed, consider replacing them with acceptable alternatives (e.g., replacing & with and).
  
  
  
  Validate the CSV Format: Ensure that the CSV file adheres to the expected format for SAP EWM. This includes:
  
  Properly formatted headers.
  Consistent data types in each column.
  No empty rows or columns.
  
  
  
  Re-save the File: After making the necessary changes, save the file in the correct CSV format. Ensure that it is encoded in UTF-8 without a BOM (Byte Order Mark) if required by your SAP system.
  
  
  Test the Upload: Attempt to upload the corrected CSV file again to see if the error persists.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any specific guidance or updates related to this error message. SAP frequently updates its documentation and may provide additional context or solutions.
  Data Validation: Implement data validation checks before generating CSV files to prevent the inclusion of special characters in the future.
  User Training: Ensure that users involved in data entry or file generation are aware of the restrictions regarding special characters in CSV files.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the /SCWM/CCHECK656 error and successfully process your CSV file in SAP EWM.