SAP Community - SAP SuccessFactors Employee Central

OData v2 upsert on custom MDF Object creates record but does NOT trigger workflow

2026-02-19T17:10:55.776000+01:00

Hi everyone

I'm trying to create a new record in a custom MDF object (cust_mymdf) via the OData v2 API using a POST to the /upsert endpoint, with the goal of triggering the configured approval workflow.

What I'm trying to achieve:

Use the OData API to insert a termination request record as pending data.
Have the system's standard MDF workflow (configured on the object with a workflow group for approval) automatically trigger upon creation via API, so an approver receives a notification and can review/approve/reject.

Setup details:

Custom MDF object: cust_mymdf (effective-dated, externalCode as key field).
Pending Data = Yes on the object definition.
Workflow is configured directly on the object (have also tried business rule on save).
API user: (non-admin/technical user, no "Admin access to MDF OData API" permission granted in RBP).
Authentication: Basic Auth (username (myuser@companyid) + password).

API call (via Postman):

Method: POST
URL:https://api55preview.sapsf.eu/odata/v2/upsert?workflowConfirmed=true

Result:

HTTP 200 OK
Response body:

{
  "d": [
    {
      "key": "cust_mymdf/effectiveStartDate=2026-02-19T00:00:00.000Z,cust_mymdf/externalCode=19",
      "status": "OK",
      "editStatus": "UPSERTED",
      "message": null,
      "index": 0,
      "httpCode": 200,
      "inlineResults": null
    }
  ]
}

The record appears in Manage Data
No workflow is triggered — no approval request is created, no notification sent, nothing appears in Manage Workflow Requests or the approver's inbox.
What I've already checked / tried:
- The parameter ?workflowConfirmed=true is included in the URL (as required per sap documentation to simulate UI confirmation).
- The API user does not have the "Admin access to MDF OData API" permission.
- Manual creation via UI (Manage Data → Create new record for cust_MassTerminate) does trigger the workflow correctly (approver sees it).
- Effective date is future-dated (2026-02-19), but same behavior occurs if I test with current date.
- Workflow is set to trigger on create.
- No duplicate pending records on the same key.
  According to SAP KBA 2396714 ("Workflow not Triggered via API or Integration Center") and community blogs (e.g., "Triggering workflows for MDF using OData API"), the combination of:
  - workflowConfirmed=trueand
  - API user without "Admin access to MDF OData API" permission
  Is there any additional paramters that I'm missing? Any help or pointers would be greatly appreciated.

Contingent Worker Converted to Employee – Email Addresses

2026-02-20T10:37:08.769000+01:00

Hello All,

We have an employee who was previously a contingent worker and has since been hired into our company.

He has one employee file with two employments (his contingent employment, which is inactive, and his current employment, which is active).

On both employments, he has the same email address. This is causing an issue with the user integration between our HRIS (SAP SuccessFactors) and our 360Learning platform. Since the unique key used to create a user in 360Learning is the email address, having the same email address on both employments is creating a conflict. As a result, the user cannot be created in 360Learning.

We have tried to modify the email address on one employment, but the change is automatically reflected on the other employment as well.

Are there any clients who have encountered this situation? What solutions have you implemented?

Thank you

New Certification Format for SAP SuccessFactors Time Management

2026-02-21T03:45:33.613000+01:00

Hi There. I am currently learning the SAP SuccessFactors Time Management course from Learning Hub. When I checked the certification for this module, it says "New Format". Is this the new scenario based exam for certification? Please share some details on what to expect in the new format assessment. This is the first time I will be appearing for the new format assessment.

Also, how do I ensure coverage of all topics that relate to the new format assessment? Does the Learning Journey covers all aspects of the new format assessment? If not, what additional practice should I do in order to be successful?

Also please let me know whether the certification assessment for SAP SuccessFactors Time Management is scenario based or task based? Does it mention in the certification details page whether the assessment is scenario based or task based?

Additional Accruals on top of Annual Accrual Postings

2026-02-23T07:39:25.140000+01:00

We currently have annual accruals based on seniority as of June 1, which we can handle through a Seniority Lookup object with the Time Account start date set to June 1. However, there is an additional requirement to post certain “bonus” accruals on employees’ work anniversary dates for the same Time Account Type. (Example - All Employees will receive +2 days on 1st anniversary and +5 days on 3rd anniversary)

Is there a way to automate these anniversary‑based bonus accruals without using Interim Time Account Rules or similar workarounds?

Impacts of Business Rules modifying Effective Start Date and Suggestions to SAP Team

2026-02-23T15:34:54.876000+01:00

Dear Readers,

One of my clients had a requirement to modify the effective start date of the MDF (Pay slip MDF) where we modify the effective date of the record based on the type of the payroll run. A Little Context to the Object, its a multiple changes per day effective dated record where the data is passed via CPI. If Regular , it should be set to 22nd of every month and if Off-cycle , it should be set to payment date passed in the Payload.

Through CPI , we send the generated payslips (via a custom program ) to the SuccessFactors. During Insertion , we received the error (Save error with Index 0) via OData. In the UI , I received a error as stated below

com.successfactors.genericobject.app.exception.MDFSQLException: com.sap.db.jdbc.exceptions.SQLIntegrityConstraintViolationExceptionSapDB: [301]: unique constraint violated: Table(GENERIC_OBJECT_T), Index(UK_GENERIC_OBJECT_T_END_DATE) with error: unique constraint violation for table EUSFV4_STOCKPM240373:GENERIC_OBJECT_Ten, constraint='$uc_UK_GENERIC_OBJECT_T_END_DATE$', key value='5066537', pos=0; indexname=UK_GENERIC_OBJECT_T_END_DATE

Later during careful introspection , i found the on save rule modifying the effective start date was the culprit. Refer to the below KBA

https://userapps.support.sap.com/sap/support/knowledge/en/3452058

I totally get it what SAP means in the KBA and it does makes lot of sense , but restricting it in the business rules solves things at the root level rather than running scripts and unnecessary hassles experienced.

So What you think Experts , if SAP should restrict setting the effective start date property in business rules?

RBP Access

2026-02-23T15:54:02.955000+01:00

Hi,

I need to grant a user access to Manage Permission Groups tool. I have access to it, so I included the user in the same permission groups as myself, but they still have no access to the tool themselves. Would you kindly advise on what could be the reason for this and how I make the tool available to the user?

Kind regards,

Artem

Create a New Field in BCUI

2026-02-23T16:00:45.489000+01:00

Hi,

I would like to ask for a way to create a new custom field in BCUI. The requirements are:

It needs to be part of the Compensation Information portlet
Country-specific
Boolean data type

I will appreciate any thorough advice on that.

Kind regards,
Artem

2 (mandatory) Email Adresses for new hires/ in people profile? Is that possible

2026-02-24T09:26:49.462000+01:00

Good morning community,

Is there any way to specify that when I enter the first email address (which is my personal email, for example), a second input field opens automatically, or alternatively, that there are two input fields from the outset, with the second one requesting my business email?

This will probably not work, or rather, I cannot make it mandatory, because as a new employee, for example, I do not yet have a business email address.

What do you think? 🙂

I am still relatively new to the SAP environment, so please be kind 🙂

Best regards,
Christian

Time recording

2026-02-24T09:50:31.947000+01:00

Hello All

We need to create a Design POC for Time recording terminal integration for blue collars and Time sheet enrty for White collars in EC and segregate the times (Regular + Overtime or week end work or Public holiday work) refering Holiday calender.

Tipically need to have same +ve time management of S4 HANA Cloud.

Does Current Time Off, Time Sheet and Time Tracking has any product features to captrure this (+ve time management).

Reg

SF EC MDF UI Hacks: When RBP Isn’t Enough to Hide Fields/Groups

2026-02-24T11:28:08.552000+01:00

Problem Statement:

Ever tried to hide a field in MDF UI and wondered why it magically shows up for the employee during workflow approval? 😅

Yep, it’s a classic SuccessFactors “feature” you hide it in RBP, but the moment the record is pending approval, employees get VIP access to your secret fields. And if an approver sends it back? Boom! They can see and even update fields they shouldn’t even touch. 😬

Have you ever tried to change the visual display of groups and fields on the UI based on the logged-in user and couldn’t figure out a way to achieve it other than using RBP?

With standard we can't get the Login user() function in the UI rules. But there is a trick

Solution:

So how do we fix this? Drumroll… A simple paradiddle. Lol. 🥁

Enter the OnLoad Rule!

Instead of relying on RBP alone, we can use UI OnLoad rules to control what the user sees. Here’s the trick:

Create a dummy variable field in your MDF (let’s call it ShowHideFlag).
Write an OnLoad rule:

If login user = Your MDF.externalCode,

then set ShowHideFlag = 1

Note: The externalCode has to be of Type User.

The ShowHideFlag has to be of Type Number.

Then, create UI rules based on that variable:
- If ShowHideFlag = 1 → Show/Hide fields, sections, or groups
- Else → Show/Hide fields, sections, or groups

How it helps?

💡 Basically, the UI now knows who’s looking at it and can hide/show fields dynamically. No sneaky employee access allowed!

With this approach, you gain better control over your MDF UI behavior, even during workflow scenarios where RBP alone falls short. A small OnLoad rule can make a big difference in protecting data visibility and ensuring the right user sees the right fields at the right time.

If you found this useful, please give it a 👍 and let me know in the comments if it helped.

I’d also love to hear your thoughts on any alternative solutions you’ve implemented!

How to hide "Compensation Structure" object for some countries/legal entities?

2026-02-24T12:37:48.107000+01:00

Hi Experts

We have a requirement to create a "Compensation Structure" object for a country. The object is created via Manage Data.

This object needs to be displayed on the "Compensation Information" screen in EC and is relevant for only one country. The object has been successfully created and is visible on Compensation Information screen.

As this object is not required for other countries apart from one country, I have tried to write a business rule for hiding this field for "onView" scenario and it works perfectly fine.

There is also a need to hide the field for other countries for "onInit" scenario and the rule does not seem to work.

This object "Compensation Structure" is a standard out of box object, it also does not allow a custom UI to be created where an "onInit" rule can be applied.

Furthermore, I have had to add this field at the "compinfo" level HRIS element and not at the country-level HRIS element as doing so at the country-level does not allow the "Compensation Structure" object to be reportable. This is product gap duly acknowledged by SAP.

Could you please help suggest how to hide this object for "onInit" scenario where the Compensation Information screen when being rendered first time without any Compensation information values is correctly able to hide this field for all countries minus one.

Any help/suggested is much much appreciated.

Thanks

Time-Off - Display available balance in new People profile

2026-02-24T14:50:36.842000+01:00

Hi team,

We have a situation affecting markets where two or more time accounts are open at the same time.
Previously, available balances were displayed per time types basis.

Meaning a 50 days balance will appear if I had two opened time accounts with 25 days each.
The same applies to Sick or any other time type.

We haven't been able to replicate this in the new people profile. Balances are showing up in their separate time accounts.

Example:

Is there any way to display available balance per time types and not time accounts?

regards

Time Off validation on start date

2026-02-25T06:47:27.729000+01:00

Hi all,

We have a requirement to throw an error when either the start or end date is a non-working day. Has anyone dealt with this scenario? What was the solution?

Thanks!!

Anyone else experiencing issues with THR81 certification availability?

2026-02-25T09:29:01.207000+01:00

Hi everyone,

C_THR81 (the certification for SAP SuccessFactors Employee Central Core Academy) seems to be unavailable right now:

Is anyone else experiencing the same issue?

Looking forward to quick resolution!

Thanks,
Elina

When do I use the generic Event "Data Change" and when more specific Events such as "Promotion"?

2026-02-25T16:22:36.978000+01:00

Hi everyone!

In Employee Central, when do I use the generic Event "Data Change" and when the more specific Events "Promotion", "Transfer", "Pay Rate Change", etc., which also imply changes to job and compensation information?

Thanks for your support,
Elina

RBP Troubleshooting Tool Issue

2026-02-26T02:38:46.960000+01:00

Hello everyone, I'm using the RBP Troubleshooting tool to compare permissions between 2 Users and it's showing them as matching. Upon 'Showing All' and clicking on one of the Roles it takes me to the Permission Role as expected. However the Permission Groups Granted and Target that it is showing in that Permission Role is wrong. Neither of the Users are in either the Granted nor Target Groups.
They are in a different Permission Group that is assigned to that same Permission Role, but not the one it was showing me. It seems like a fatal-flaw with the RBP Troubleshooting tool if it's meant to be narrowing down the RBP issues, but showing you the wrong Matched Assignment Groups.

Has anyone else come across this?

Is this a SAP error that needs fixing?

Many thanks for your advice!

Sorry, it is not possible to maintain payment information if there is no job information or .....

2026-02-26T02:56:57.954000+01:00

Hello Team,

Good day!

We are now migrating our ONB to 2.0 and find the below issue while also adding payment info as requirement.

May I kindly ask if there's already a concrete resolution for this issue?

I've noticed that there's a patch but why is the error still existent?

I also checked this KBAs, however, no resolution indicated.

3219782 - Payment Information validation error in MPH or NHDR - Onboarding
3673875 - Error when changing payment information start date in add new employee - Employee Central
3194252 - [Onboarding] Sorry, it is not possible to maintain payment information if there is no job information or no country/region in job information.

Thank you very much in advance for the help and inputs.

Best Regards,

Gelo

Master Data Purge for Inactive Legal Entities

2026-02-27T10:58:55.864000+01:00

Currently it is not possible to configure a master data purge request for inactive legal entities. We have several former employees in inactive legal entities who will be subject for purge in the future. The first set of employees is due to be purged in 5 years. Since they cannot be configured to be purged automatically, we must have a manual process for this which is highly impractical.

I have created an influence request for this. I encourage you to vote on it if the ability to configure purge requests for inactive legal entities would also be useful to your company.

Higher Duty / Temporary Assignment – Why classified as Public Sector feature?

2026-02-27T13:44:31.495000+01:00

I’m currently reviewing the Higher Duty / Temporary Assignment functionality in SAP SuccessFactors Employee Central.

The feature is classified as a Public Sector feature. However, I could not find a clear explanation in the documentation as to why it is categorized specifically for Public Sector.

Could someone clarify the reason for this classification?

Also, can the feature be implemented for non-public-sector customers, or is it restricted in any way?

Thank you in advance for your clarification.

Training advie

2026-02-27T14:21:50.775000+01:00

Hello,

I am a business analyst, i have supported SAP SF localisation.

So i thought it is best for me to learn system implementation as SAP Consultant, i want to learn the actual system implementation and also have system access to practice.

What is the best way to approach this? Anyone gone through this route would like to help?

Prefer to borrow the roadmap from someone that has done this than waste time trying to figure it out.

My focus is on EC first, then REC-ONB, PMGM, COMP, and Time off as later modules.

Many thanks,