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XLSXW writer: The encoded string is not a valid UTF-8 string

  • December 3, 2025
  • 3 replies
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p.jeremie
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Hi, 

I updated a workspace from FME 2020 to FME 2025, and I have an error in 2025 that I haven’t in 2020, with the same input data.

On the Excel writer, I get an error on a specific string regarding the validation as UTF-8.

ERROR : XLSXW writer: The encoded string is not a valid UTF-8 string: 'S\x00u\x00r\x00 \x00c\x00h\x00a…….'

Any idea why and how I can check the strings before the writer so it doesn’t stop the workspace with an error ?

Best answer by p.jeremie

I answer myself 😅 : with an AttributeEncoder (or the string function ConvertEncoding()) I had been able to get a valid string and I have no more error on the writer.

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    3 replies

    p.jeremie
    Contributor
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    • p.jeremieContributor
    • Author
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    • Best Answer
    • December 3, 2025

    I answer myself 😅 : with an AttributeEncoder (or the string function ConvertEncoding()) I had been able to get a valid string and I have no more error on the writer.

      stezi
      Contributor
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      • steziContributor
      • Contributor
      • December 24, 2025

      Since our upgrade from FME 2025.1 to FME(R) 2025.2.0.0 (20251120 - Build 25810 - WIN64) / FME Flow 2025.2 Build 25810 - win64, we get the same issue with the ExcelStyler transformer. 

      Is this a known bug?

      crystalatsafe
      Safer
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      Hi ​@stezi 

      We are not aware of any current issues with the ExcelStyler transformer.

      If possible, please send your workspace and sample data so our development team can look into this. Alternatively, you could also submit a support ticket with us: https://support.safe.com/hc/en-us/p/Support

      Thank you!

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