Journal Import Methods

After creating your spreadsheet, you can import data into your PeopleSoft database using Spreadsheet Journal Import using online mode or batch mode.

Online Mode

The logical unit of work for an online load is a journal sheet:

  • Using online mode, you open a journal sheet, enter data, and use the Import Journals Now button to import the data into your PeopleSoft database.

    Data is sent as XML documents over the internet and immediately imported into the PeopleSoft database.

  • Using JRNL1.xls or JRN1.xlsm, the online import method uses XML link technology and sends data over the internet, processes the import request, and then replies to the Microsoft Excel interface.

  • Using JRN1_WS.xlsm, the online import method uses Web services technology and sends data over the internet, processes the import request, and then replies to the Microsoft Excel interface.

    This method has additional features such as the ability to edit and submit the journal during the import process.

Batch Mode

The logical unit of work for a batch load is a file:

  • Using batch mode, you can store your journal sheets by using the Write Journals to a File button, and then running the Batch Import Process (GL_EXCL_BATC) to import one or more journal files to your PeopleSoft database.

  • The batch import method requires that you write the data to a file, submit and upload one or more files through the browser, and then initiate the Spreadsheet Journal Batch Import process (GL_EXCL_BATC) to process the import.

  • The GL_EXCL_BATC process has additional features such as the ability to edit and submit the journal during the import process.

If you want to use the batch import process but at the same time want to import one journal sheet at a time, create separate files for each journal sheet. The option to write one file can be used to create a separate file for each journal sheet while writing a file. When the option to write one file for each journal sheet is selected, the system generates one file for each journal sheet and an index file.

Batch import mode has a feature to import multiple journal files at a time using an index file that points to multiple data files. For example, assume you have a text file INDEX.txt containing these four lines:

 H:\helen\JRNL1.xml
 H:\helen\JRNL2.xml
 H:\david\JRNL1.xml
 H:\Singapore\ProjectX.xml

You can attach INDEX.txt to the Spreadsheet Journal Import page and select Index file to other data files in the Number of Data Files field. The Spreadsheet Journal Import process searches for all four data files and imports them one by one. Be aware that the file paths are specified relative to the process scheduler where the import process runs. In this example, it is the H drive on the process scheduler.

If your process scheduler runs on a UNIX machine, then your index file may look like the following example. Remember, UNIX file names are case sensitive.

/tmp/usr/jrnl1.xml
/tmp/usr/jrnl2.xml
/tmp/usr/jrnl1.xml
/tmp/singapore/projectx.xml