Understanding the Invoice Import Interface Tables
You use SQL*Loader to load invoice information into the interface tables, AP_EXPENSE_REPORT_HEADERS and AP_EXPENSE_REPORT_LINES, for each invoice you want to create. When you initiate importing invoices, Payables Invoice Import validates all required invoice data in these tables. After it validates the information, Payables Invoice Import creates invoices from the information in AP_EXPENSE_REPORT_HEADERS and invoice distributions from the information in AP_EXPENSE_REPORT_LINES.
The interface tables are organized by columns which Payables uses to categorize and store specific invoice information. For example, invoice source information is stored in the column called SOURCE in AP_EXPENSE_REPORT_HEADERS.
NOT NULL Columns
You must enter values for all NOT NULL columns in the interface tables to successfully create invoices and invoice distributions from your imported invoice data.
NULL Columns
A column in the interface tables that must not have a value in order for Payables Invoice Import to successfully create invoices from the records in the tables.
Required Columns
In addition to the NOT NULL columns, there are columns in the interface tables that require a value for Invoice Import.
Conditionally Required Columns
Payables requires you to enter values in a conditionally required column only if you have entered a value in another column on which the column is dependent.
Optional Columns
You can use some columns in the interface tables to import additional invoice information for the invoices created by Payables Invoice Import. Payables Invoice Import imports the data that you load into these optional columns, provided that the information passes the validation checks that Payables Invoice Import requires.
Columns Not Used for Invoice Import
Payables Invoice Import does not use certain columns in the interface tables for creating invoices from your other accounting systems. Payables does not support importing any data from these columns and you should leave these columns null for the records you load into the table.
