How To Fix UCT8260 - &2 is incompatible with external format for source field &1

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: UCT8 - Message class for UCT8(mapping)

• Message number: 260

• Message text: &2 is incompatible with external format for source field &1

What causes this issue?

During execution, the method derives the source selection for source fie
ld &V1& from the mapping rule for the target field. &V2& is one of the
values that were derived for the source selection. The sys
tem requires that this value is in the external format because the
Conversion Exit indicator has been selected in the move operator for
field &V1&. However, the value &V2& is incompatible with the external
format.
See also the other message issued along with this message, which provide
s detailed information about the error.

System Response

The system cannot derive the source selection for source field &V1&. Bec
ause of this, the system might read more data than was originally
intended. This can lead to performance issues.

How to fix this error?

Examine the mapping rule used by source field &V1&. Examine the
Conversion Exit indicator in the move definition, in particular. If &V2&
is indeed in the SAP-internal format, you should deselect the
Conversion Exit indicator.

Procedure for System Administrators

The system issues an error message and will not allow you to continue with this transaction until the error is resolved.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message UCT8260 - &2 is incompatible with external format for source field &1 ?

  The SAP error message UCT8260 indicates that there is an incompatibility between the data format of a source field and the expected external format. This typically occurs during data transfer or data processing when the system encounters a value that does not conform to the expected format for a specific field.
  Cause:
  
  Data Type Mismatch: The data being imported or processed does not match the expected data type for the field. For example, if a numeric field is expected but a string is provided.
  Incorrect Formatting: The data may be formatted incorrectly, such as using the wrong decimal separator or date format.
  Field Length Exceeded: The length of the data being input may exceed the maximum length defined for the field.
  Invalid Characters: The data may contain characters that are not allowed in the specified field.
  
  Solution:
  
  Check Data Types: Ensure that the data being processed matches the expected data types for each field. For example, if a field expects a numeric value, ensure that the data does not contain any alphabetic characters.
  Validate Formatting: Review the formatting of the data. For instance, if the field expects a date in the format YYYY-MM-DD, ensure that the data adheres to this format.
  Field Length: Verify that the length of the data does not exceed the maximum length defined for the field in the SAP system.
  Clean Data: Remove any invalid characters or correct any formatting issues in the data before processing it again.
  Use Data Mapping: If you are importing data from an external source, consider using data mapping tools or transformation logic to convert the data into the expected format.
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: Depending on where the error occurs, you may need to check specific transaction codes related to data import or processing (e.g., LSMW, BAPIs, IDocs).
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any known issues or patches related to this error message. SAP frequently updates its knowledge base with solutions for common errors.
  Debugging: If you have access to debugging tools, you can trace the data flow to identify where the incompatibility occurs.
  Documentation: Review the documentation for the specific module or function you are working with to understand the expected formats and constraints for the fields involved.
  
  By addressing the above points, you should be able to resolve the UCT8260 error and ensure that the data is compatible with the expected formats in SAP.