Error
Error Code:
5203
SAP S/4HANA Error 5203: UString Data Conversion Failure
Description
This error signifies that SAP S/4HANA attempted to construct a Unicode string (UString) from an incompatible or invalid data type, and the conversion process failed. It typically occurs when the system processes text or data that does not conform to expected formats, preventing proper internal representation.
Error Message
ERR_TEXT_COMMON_USTRING_CONSTRUCTION_FAILED
Known Causes
4 known causesIncompatible Data Type
Data provided to the system for text processing is in a format that cannot be directly converted into a Unicode string (UString).
Corrupted or Malformed Data
The source data intended for text conversion contains errors, missing characters, or an invalid structure, making UString creation impossible.
Configuration or Customization Issue
Improper system settings, custom code, or integration parameters are leading to incompatible data being supplied for UString creation.
Character Encoding Mismatch
The character encoding of the input data does not match the expected encoding for UString conversion within the system.
Solutions
3 solutions available1. Identify and Correct Invalid UTF-8 Characters in Data medium
Locate and fix data containing non-UTF-8 compliant characters that are causing the conversion failure.
1
Determine the source of the error. This often occurs when data is being imported or processed. Check SAP application logs (SM21), ST22 dumps, or traces for the specific table and field involved in the conversion failure.
2
If a specific table and field are identified, use SQL to query for potentially problematic data. You can try to cast the column to a different encoding or use string functions to identify characters outside the expected UTF-8 range. This requires knowledge of the database (e.g., HANA).
SELECT * FROM <your_table> WHERE LENGTH(<your_field>) <> LENGTH(CONVERT_TO(<your_field>, 'UTF8'));
-- Or, for HANA specifically, you might try to find invalid characters:
SELECT * FROM <your_table> WHERE <your_field> NOT LIKE '%[ -ჿFF]%'; -- This is a simplified representation; actual regex might be more complex.3
Once problematic records are found, analyze the data for non-UTF-8 characters. This might involve manual inspection or using character encoding detection tools.
4
Correct the data directly in the SAP system using standard transaction codes or, if necessary, through direct database updates (with extreme caution and thorough testing). For example, if you find invalid characters in a text field, manually re-enter the correct text or replace the invalid characters.
5
Re-run the process that triggered the error to confirm the issue is resolved.
2. Verify and Adjust Database Character Set and Client Settings medium
Ensure the SAP HANA database and client connections are configured to use UTF-8 consistently.
1
Check the SAP HANA database system's default character set. It should be set to UTF-8.
SELECT PARAMETER_VALUE FROM M_SYSTEM_PARAMETERS WHERE PARAMETER_NAME = 'unicode_encoding';2
If the `unicode_encoding` parameter is not set to 'UTF-8', it needs to be adjusted. This is a critical system parameter and requires careful consideration and potential downtime. Consult SAP Basis documentation for the exact procedure, which typically involves modifying the `global.ini` file and restarting the HANA system. **Caution:** Incorrect modification can lead to severe system issues.
3
Verify SAP application server (instance profile) settings for character encoding. Ensure `zcsa/system_encoding` is set to UTF-8.
Display the instance profile parameters in transaction RZ10.4
Ensure that any client tools or interfaces connecting to SAP S/4HANA are also configured to use UTF-8 encoding. This includes SAP GUI settings, external applications, and ETL tools.
For SAP GUI, check the 'Options' -> 'Internationalization' settings.5
Restart relevant SAP application servers and potentially client applications after making any configuration changes.
3. Apply SAP Notes for Character Conversion Issues medium
Implement SAP Notes that address known bugs related to UString data conversion.
1
Access the SAP Support Portal (support.sap.com).
2
Search for SAP Notes related to 'Error 5203', 'UString Data Conversion Failure', 'ERR_TEXT_COMMON_USTRING_CONSTRUCTION_FAILED', and 'UTF-8 conversion issues' within the context of your SAP S/4HANA version.
3
Review the identified SAP Notes to understand the problem they solve and their applicability to your system. Pay attention to prerequisites and affected component versions.
4
Download the relevant SAP Notes.
5
Implement the SAP Notes using transaction SNOTE in your SAP S/4HANA system. This process involves downloading the note, checking for prerequisites, and applying it. It's recommended to perform this in a test environment first.
Transaction SNOTE6
After applying the notes, perform a thorough test of the functionality that previously caused the error.