Error
Error Code:
726
SAP S/4HANA Error 726: Invalid Base64 String Format
Description
Error 726 (ERR_SQL_INVALID_BASE64_STRING) indicates that the SAP S/4HANA system attempted to decode a string as Base64, but the string's format or content was invalid. This typically occurs during data processing, API interactions, or database operations where Base64 encoded data is expected but malformed.
Error Message
ERR_SQL_INVALID_BASE64_STRING
Known Causes
4 known causesMalformed Input Data
The Base64 string provided to the SAP S/4HANA system contains invalid characters or an incorrect structure, preventing successful decoding.
Data Corruption During Transmission
The Base64 string may have been truncated or corrupted during network transmission or storage before it reached the decoding function within S/4HANA.
Incorrect Encoding Process
The original data was not correctly encoded into Base64 format at its source, leading to an improperly formatted string when it is passed to S/4HANA.
Character Set Mismatch
A discrepancy exists between the character set used for encoding the original data and the character set expected during decoding within SAP S/4HANA.
Solutions
3 solutions available1. Validate and Correct Base64 Encoding in Data Sources medium
Identify and fix malformed Base64 strings within the application's data sources.
1
Identify the specific table and column where the invalid Base64 string is being processed. This often requires debugging the SAP S/4HANA application logic or analyzing SQL trace logs to pinpoint the exact data causing the error. Look for recent data modifications or integrations that might have introduced corrupted data.
2
Use a Base64 validation tool or script to check the integrity of the suspected Base64 strings. Online validators or simple scripting languages can help identify characters or patterns that are not valid in Base64 encoding (e.g., invalid characters, incorrect padding).
Example Python script for validation:
python
import base64
def is_valid_base64(s):
try:
base64.b64decode(s, validate=True)
return True
except base64.binascii.Error:
return False
# Replace 'your_base64_string' with the string you want to validate
if is_valid_base64('your_base64_string'):
print('Valid Base64 string')
else:
print('Invalid Base64 string')
3
If an invalid string is found, correct it. This might involve re-encoding the original data properly or, if the data is corrupted beyond repair, marking it for deletion or replacement. Depending on the application, you might need to use SAP's data correction tools or directly update the database with corrected values.
Example SQL UPDATE statement (use with extreme caution and after thorough backup):
sql
UPDATE your_schema.your_table
SET your_base64_column = 'CORRECTED_BASE64_STRING'
WHERE some_identifier = 'record_id';
4
Retest the functionality that triggered the error to ensure the issue is resolved. Monitor system logs for recurring instances of Error 726.
2. Review and Correct Application Logic for Base64 Handling advanced
Ensure the SAP S/4HANA application code correctly encodes and decodes Base64 data.
1
Analyze the ABAP or other application code responsible for processing the Base64 data. This could be in reports, function modules, BAPIs, or OData services. Focus on areas where data is being encoded or decoded.
2
Verify that the Base64 encoding/decoding functions being used are standard and correctly implemented. For ABAP, this typically involves using the `CL_HTTP_UTILITY=>BASE64_ENCODE` and `CL_HTTP_UTILITY=>BASE64_DECODE` methods. Ensure that the input data for encoding is valid and that the output of decoding is handled appropriately.
Example ABAP code snippet (conceptual):
abap
DATA: lv_binary_data TYPE xstring,
lv_base64_data TYPE string.
* ... retrieve binary data ...
CALL METHOD cl_http_utility=>base64_encode
EXPORTING
xstring = lv_binary_data
RECEIVING
result = lv_base64_data.
* ... process lv_base64_data ...
* For decoding:
DATA: lv_decoded_data TYPE xstring.
CALL METHOD cl_http_utility=>base64_decode
EXPORTING
encoded = lv_base64_data
RECEIVING
decoded = lv_decoded_data
EXCEPTIONS
cx_sy_conversion_error = 1
OTHERS = 2.
IF sy-subrc <> 0.
" Handle decoding error
ENDIF.
3
Check for potential issues like incorrect character sets, unexpected null values, or improper handling of binary data before encoding. Ensure that padding characters ('=') are correctly generated and consumed.
4
If necessary, debug the application code step-by-step with the problematic data to understand exactly where the invalid format is being introduced or misinterpreted.
5
Deploy the corrected application code after rigorous testing in a non-production environment.
3. Investigate External System Integrations medium
Examine data being sent to or received from external systems for Base64 encoding issues.
1
Identify any SAP S/4HANA integrations that involve the transmission or reception of Base64 encoded data. This could include interfaces using SOAP, REST, IDocs, or file transfers.
2
Review the configuration and logic of the external system or middleware responsible for the integration. Ensure that it is correctly encoding data to Base64 before sending it to S/4HANA or decoding Base64 data received from S/4HANA.
3
Use logging and tracing capabilities within the integration middleware or the external system to capture the exact Base64 strings being exchanged. Validate these strings using the methods described in Solution 1.
Example of checking integration logs (tool-specific, e.g., SAP PI/PO, SAP Cloud Platform Integration):
1. Access message monitoring.
2. Filter for messages involving the relevant interface.
3. Inspect message payloads for Base64 encoded data.
4. Copy suspect strings and validate them externally.4
Collaborate with the administrators or developers of the external system to rectify any encoding/decoding errors on their side. This might involve updating their interface logic or data handling routines.
5
Perform end-to-end testing of the integration after corrections are made to confirm the issue is resolved.