How To Fix SWF_UTL_000003 - String '&1' contains invalid characters

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: SWF_UTL_000 - Messages for I/O - Service Class CL_SWF_IO_SERVICES

• Message number: 003

• Message text: String '&1' contains invalid characters

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 SWF_UTL_000003 - String '&1' contains invalid characters ?

  The SAP error message SWF_UTL_000003 indicates that a string (in this case, represented by &1) contains invalid characters. This error typically arises in the context of workflow or process management within SAP systems, where certain naming conventions or character restrictions apply.
  Cause:
  The error is triggered when a string (such as a workflow name, task name, or any identifier) includes characters that are not allowed by the system. Common causes include:
  
  Special characters (e.g., @, #, $, %, &, etc.) that are not permitted.
  Leading or trailing spaces in the string.
  Strings that exceed the maximum length defined for that field.
  Non-alphanumeric characters that are not supported by the specific SAP module or configuration.
  
  Solution:
  To resolve the SWF_UTL_000003 error, you can take the following steps:
  
  
  Identify the String: Check the specific string that is causing the error. This will usually be indicated in the error message where &1 is replaced with the actual string.
  
  
  Review Allowed Characters: Consult the SAP documentation or guidelines for the specific field or context to understand which characters are allowed. Generally, alphanumeric characters (A-Z, a-z, 0-9) and underscores (_) are safe.
  
  
  Modify the String: 
  
  Remove any invalid characters from the string.
  Ensure there are no leading or trailing spaces.
  If applicable, shorten the string to meet any length restrictions.
  
  
  
  Test the Changes: After making the necessary modifications, re-run the process or workflow to see if the error persists.
  
  
  Check Configuration: If the error continues, review the configuration settings for workflows or the specific module you are working with. There may be additional restrictions or settings that need to be adjusted.
  
  
  Consult SAP Notes: If the issue is not resolved, check the SAP Support Portal for any relevant SAP Notes or updates that might address this specific error.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Documentation: Always refer to the official SAP documentation for the specific module you are working with for detailed guidelines on naming conventions and character restrictions.
  SAP Community: Engage with the SAP Community forums where other users may have encountered similar issues and can provide insights or solutions.
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes (like SWI1 for workflow monitoring) that can help you trace and debug workflow-related issues.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to identify and correct the cause of the SWF_UTL_000003 error in your SAP environment.