How To Fix UMG174 - File encoding needs to be UTF-8

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: UMG - Message Class for the Unicode Migration Tool.

• Message number: 174

• Message text: File encoding needs to be UTF-8

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 UMG174 - File encoding needs to be UTF-8 ?

  The SAP error message UMG174, which states "File encoding needs to be UTF-8," typically occurs when the system expects a file to be in UTF-8 encoding, but the file is in a different encoding format. This can happen during data uploads, file imports, or when processing files that are not properly encoded.
  Cause:
  
  Incorrect File Encoding: The file you are trying to upload or process is not saved in UTF-8 encoding. It may be in ANSI, ISO-8859-1, or another encoding format.
  File Transfer Issues: If the file was transferred between systems (e.g., from a Windows machine to a Unix/Linux server), the encoding might have changed.
  Data Source Issues: The source of the data might not be generating files in the expected UTF-8 format.
  
  Solution:
  
  
  Convert the File to UTF-8:
  
  Use a text editor that supports encoding conversion (e.g., Notepad++, Sublime Text, or Visual Studio Code) to open the file and save it as UTF-8.
  On Linux, you can use the iconv command:
  iconv -f <original_encoding> -t UTF-8 <input_file> -o <output_file>
  
  On Windows, you can use PowerShell:
  Get-Content <input_file> | Set-Content -Encoding UTF8 <output_file>
  
  
  
  
  Check File Transfer Settings: If the file is being transferred between systems, ensure that the transfer method preserves the file encoding. For example, when using FTP, ensure that the transfer mode is set to binary if necessary.
  
  
  Validate the File: After conversion, validate the file to ensure it contains the expected data and is correctly formatted.
  
  
  Re-upload the File: Once the file is converted to UTF-8, try uploading or processing it again in SAP.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  UTF-8 Encoding: UTF-8 is a variable-width character encoding that can represent every character in the Unicode character set. It is widely used for its compatibility with ASCII and its ability to handle a vast array of characters from different languages.
  SAP Documentation: Refer to SAP's official documentation or help resources for specific guidelines on file uploads and encoding requirements.
  Error Handling: If you continue to encounter issues, check the SAP logs for additional error messages or consult with your SAP Basis or technical team for further assistance.
  
  By ensuring that your files are correctly encoded in UTF-8, you can avoid this error and ensure smooth data processing within SAP.