Error: Unable to parse the provided SSML. The provided text is not valid SSML

Question

I am receiving this error when using the Test section of the Alexa Developer portal website

Error: Unable to parse the provided SSML. The provided text is not valid SSML.

The error occurs after I get a successful response and I press the listen button.

the response output is:

{
  "version": "1.0",
  "response": {
    "outputSpeech": {
      "type": "PlainText",
      "text": "Here are some recent stories about siemens:Citigroup Inc. Reaffirms Buy Rating for Siemens AG (SIE)Siemens AG (SIE) Rating Reiterated by Citigroup Inc.Global Hydrophone Market Report 2014-2021 - Analysis, Technologies & Forecasts - Vendors: Siemens, Sensor Technology, Cetacean Research Technology - Research and MarketsSiemens Bags The 2016 Frost & Sullivan Asia-Pacific Building Technologies Company Of The Year Award"
    },
    "reprompt": {
      "outputSpeech": {
        "type": "PlainText",
        "text": "What else can I help with?"
      }
    },
    "shouldEndSession": false
  },
  "sessionAttributes": {}
}

score 7 · Accepted Answer · edited Oct 24 '16 at 21:10

7

so seems alexa doesn't like the special character & in the text parameter of the outputSpeech response. I replaced it with the word and and that resolved my issue.

edited Oct 24 '16 at 21:10

punkdata

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answered Oct 19 '16 at 15:58

Vik

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1

Good find. Nice helpful error message from Amazon there. Not! – LDJ Oct 24 '16 at 14:21
Hi Vik thx for figuring this out. I also had this issue & your question solved this for me. Good Job! – punkdata Oct 24 '16 at 19:56
Ah, this was my problem as well! I wish we didn't have to guess what it likes and what it doesn't like! – Dan Mantyla Nov 08 '17 at 15:50

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Nov 30 '17 at 19:30

0

try

"outputSpeech": {
          "ssml": "<speak>your test here</speak>",
          "type": "SSML",
        },

answered Nov 30 '17 at 19:30

Nader Karass

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You should make some effort and provide some background as to why this snippet solves the problem... – Jir Nov 30 '17 at 19:39

Error: Unable to parse the provided SSML. The provided text is not valid SSML

2 Answers2