How To Fix TD085 - ERROR: Invalid start marker: & instead of &

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: TD - SAPscript: Text editor, composer, forms, styles and fonts

• Message number: 085

• Message text: ERROR: Invalid start marker: & instead of &

What causes this issue?

The transport file contains a format error. An invalid format was read
when the start marker of the transport object was read.

System Response

The line in the transport file is ignored and skipped.

How to fix this error?

No action is required. This message may have been generated by a
previous error when the last transport object was imported, resulting
in the import program restarting in the middle of a transport object.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message TD085 - ERROR: Invalid start marker: & instead of & ?

  The SAP error message TD085, which states "Invalid start marker: & instead of &," typically occurs in the context of SAPscript or Smart Forms when there is an issue with the formatting of text or control commands. This error indicates that the system has encountered an unexpected character or marker in the text that it cannot interpret correctly.
  Cause:
  
  Incorrect Formatting: The error often arises when there is a mismatch in the expected start markers for control commands. For example, SAPscript uses & to denote variables or commands, and if there is an incorrect character or an extra &, it can lead to this error.
  Special Characters: If special characters are not properly escaped or if they are used inappropriately within the text, it can trigger this error.
  Copy-Paste Issues: Sometimes, copying and pasting text from other sources (like Word documents or web pages) can introduce hidden characters or formatting that SAP does not recognize.
  
  Solution:
  
  Check the Text Elements: Review the text elements in your SAPscript or Smart Form. Look for any instances of & that are not being used correctly. Ensure that all variables are properly defined and that there are no extra or misplaced & characters.
  Escape Special Characters: If you need to include a literal & in your text, you should escape it by using &&. This tells SAP to treat it as a regular character rather than a command marker.
  Review Control Commands: Ensure that all control commands are correctly formatted. For example, if you are using a command like &fieldname&, make sure that fieldname is a valid field and that there are no typos.
  Test in a Simple Environment: If the issue persists, try creating a simple version of the script or form to isolate the problem. This can help you identify if the issue is with a specific part of your text or command.
  Use Transaction SMARTFORMS or SE71: If you are working with Smart Forms or SAPscript, you can use the respective transaction codes (SMARTFORMS for Smart Forms and SE71 for SAPscript) to edit and test your forms directly.
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Documentation: Refer to the official SAP documentation for SAPscript and Smart Forms for detailed information on syntax and formatting rules.
  SAP Community: The SAP Community forums can be a valuable resource for troubleshooting specific issues, as other users may have encountered similar problems.
  Debugging: If you have access to debugging tools, you can step through the execution of the script or form to see where the error is being triggered.
  
  By carefully reviewing the text and ensuring that all formatting is correct, you should be able to resolve the TD085 error.