How To Fix W3_TOOL079 - End tag character '>' found before start tag character '<'

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: W3_TOOL - ITS: Maintenance Messages

• Message number: 079

• Message text: End tag character '>' found before start tag character '<'

Self-Explanatory Message

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• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message W3_TOOL079 - End tag character '>' found before start tag character '<' ?

  The SAP error message:
  W3_TOOL079 End tag character '>' found before start tag character '<'
  
  Cause:
  This error typically occurs during XML processing or parsing in SAP when the XML content is malformed. Specifically, the parser expects a start tag < but encounters an end tag character > first. This indicates that the XML document or fragment being processed is not well-formed, possibly due to:
  
  Missing or misplaced angle brackets (< or >) in the XML.
  Incorrectly constructed XML string or document.
  Truncated or corrupted XML data.
  Issues in the generation or transmission of XML content (e.g., in IDocs, web services, or XML interfaces).
  
  
  Solution:
  
  
  Check the XML content:
  
  Validate the XML document or string being processed.
  Use an XML validator tool to identify syntax errors.
  Look for missing start tags < or misplaced end tags >.
  
  
  
  Trace the source of XML:
  
  Identify where the XML is generated or received.
  If generated by an ABAP program, check the code that constructs the XML.
  If received from an external system, verify the data transmission and encoding.
  
  
  
  Correct the XML generation logic:
  
  Ensure that all tags are properly opened and closed.
  Make sure special characters are escaped properly.
  If using SAP standard function modules or classes for XML handling, use them correctly.
  
  
  
  Check for truncation or data corruption:
  
  If the XML is stored in database fields or transmitted over network, ensure no truncation occurs.
  Check buffer sizes and data length limits.
  
  
  
  Use SAP tools for debugging:
  
  Use transaction SLG1 to check application logs for related errors.
  Use transaction WE02 or WE05 if the error occurs in IDoc processing.
  Use transaction SRT_UTIL or SOAMANAGER if the error occurs in web service communication.
  
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  This error is related to XML parsing errors in SAP.
  It can occur in various scenarios such as IDoc inbound/outbound processing, web services (SOAP), XML transformations (XSLT), or any custom ABAP code handling XML.
  SAP provides classes like CL_XML_DOCUMENT and function modules like SCMS_STRING_TO_XSTRING and CALL TRANSFORMATION to handle XML safely.
  Always ensure XML data is well-formed before processing.
  
  
  Summary:
  
  
  
  Aspect
  Details
  
  
  
  
  Error
  W3_TOOL079 End tag character '>' found before start tag character '<'
  
  
  Cause
  Malformed XML: end tag > found before start tag < during XML parsing
  
  
  Solution
  Validate and correct XML structure; check XML generation and transmission; use SAP tools
  
  
  Related
  Occurs in IDocs, web services, XML processing; use XML validators and SAP debugging tools
  
  
  
  
  If you provide the XML snippet or the context where this error occurs, I can help you analyze the exact problem.