How To Fix UA_SM1020 - XML file has unexpected format - data could not be imported

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: UA_SM1 - Structure Maintenance

• Message number: 020

• Message text: XML file has unexpected format - data could not be imported

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 UA_SM1020 - XML file has unexpected format - data could not be imported ?

  The SAP error message UA_SM1020, which indicates that an XML file has an unexpected format and that data could not be imported, typically arises during the import process of XML data into the SAP system. Here are some potential causes, solutions, and related information for this error:
  Causes:
  
  Incorrect XML Structure: The XML file may not conform to the expected schema or structure required by SAP. This could include missing tags, incorrect nesting, or invalid data types.
  Version Mismatch: The XML file may be generated by a different version of the application or system that is not compatible with the version of SAP you are using.
  Encoding Issues: The XML file may have encoding issues, such as using an unsupported character set or having BOM (Byte Order Mark) issues.
  Data Type Mismatches: The data types in the XML file may not match the expected data types in SAP, leading to import failures.
  Missing Required Fields: The XML may be missing required fields that are necessary for the import process.
  
  Solutions:
  
  Validate XML Structure: Use an XML validator to check the structure of the XML file against the expected schema. Ensure that all required tags are present and correctly formatted.
  Check Compatibility: Ensure that the XML file is generated from a compatible version of the application. If there is a version mismatch, regenerate the XML file from the correct version.
  Review Encoding: Check the encoding of the XML file. It should typically be UTF-8. Remove any BOM if present and ensure that the file is saved with the correct encoding.
  Correct Data Types: Review the data types in the XML file and ensure they match the expected types in SAP. Make necessary adjustments to the data in the XML file.
  Add Missing Fields: Identify any required fields that are missing in the XML file and add them to ensure compliance with the import requirements.
  Consult Documentation: Refer to SAP documentation or the specific module documentation for details on the expected XML format and structure.
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any known issues or patches related to XML imports. SAP Notes often provide solutions or workarounds for specific error messages.
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes (e.g., SE80, SE11, SE37) that may help in debugging or analyzing the XML import process.
  Logs and Traces: Review application logs and traces for more detailed error messages that can provide additional context on why the import failed.
  Support: If the issue persists, consider reaching out to SAP support or your internal SAP team for further assistance.
  
  By addressing the potential causes and following the suggested solutions, you should be able to resolve the UA_SM1020 error and successfully import your XML data into SAP.