How To Fix WFF_FORM_SERVER105 - Invalid name & for an XML element

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: WFF_FORM_SERVER - Web Financials Forms: Form Server

• Message number: 105

• Message text: Invalid name & for an XML element

Self-Explanatory Message

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message WFF_FORM_SERVER105 - Invalid name & for an XML element ?

  Certainly! Here's a detailed explanation for the SAP error message:
  
  SAP Error Message:
  WFF_FORM_SERVER105: Invalid name & for an XML element
  
  Cause:
  This error occurs when the workflow form or the XML data being processed contains an invalid character in an XML element name. Specifically, the character & is not allowed in XML element names according to XML naming rules.
  
  XML element names must follow these rules:
  
  Names can contain letters, digits, hyphens, underscores, and periods.
  Names cannot start with a digit or punctuation character.
  Names cannot contain spaces or special characters like &, <, >, ', or ".
  
  
  
  In this case, the workflow form or the XML data includes an element name with an ampersand (&), which is invalid.
  
  Solution:
  
  
  Check the XML data or workflow form:
  
  Identify where the invalid element name with & is being generated.
  This could be in the workflow container, form interface, or any custom code generating XML.
  
  
  
  Correct the element names:
  
  Replace or remove the & character from the element names.
  Use valid characters such as letters, digits, underscores (_), or hyphens (-).
  
  
  
  Escape special characters in XML content (not element names):
  
  If the & appears in element values (content), it should be escaped as &amp;.
  But element names themselves cannot contain & or other special characters.
  
  
  
  Review custom code or transformations:
  
  If XML is generated via ABAP or other tools, ensure the naming conventions are respected.
  Use functions or methods that validate or sanitize XML element names.
  
  
  
  Test the workflow form or XML generation again:
  
  After corrections, re-run the workflow or form to confirm the error is resolved.
  
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  
  XML Naming Rules:
  
  Refer to the W3C XML specification for valid element name rules:
  
  https://www.w3.org/TR/xml/#NT-Name
  
  
  SAP Workflow Forms and XML:
  
  SAP workflow forms often generate XML data for communication or processing. Ensuring valid XML is critical.
  
  
  Common scenarios causing this error:
  
  Dynamic element names based on user input or data fields containing invalid characters.
  Incorrect mapping or concatenation of strings to form XML element names.
  Custom code generating XML without validation.
  
  
  
  SAP Notes and Documentation:
  
  Check SAP Notes related to workflow form XML errors.
  Use transaction SFW5 or SWF_FORM to maintain and debug workflow forms.
  
  
  
  
  Summary:
  
  Cause: Invalid character & used in XML element name.
  Solution: Remove or replace & in element names; ensure XML element names follow XML naming rules.
  Additional: Escape & in element content as &amp;, but never use & in element names.
  
  
  If you provide the XML snippet or workflow form details, I can help pinpoint the exact location of the invalid name.