When should I use HSDL instead of HDL?

HSDL is designed to support business users in performing bulk updates, while HCM Data Loader provides bulk loading capabilities for many HCM objects using pipe-delimited flat file format. HDL is recommended for data migration and ongoing automated integrations.

The intended user for HDL is a technical professional, specifically an integration specialist. Data files are typically generated by an extract routine, but they can also be manually created for simpler business objects.

HCM Spreadsheet Data Loader (HSDL) utilizes all the HDL processes with a spreadsheet front end. The user first creates an object-specific template that defines the structure of the spreadsheet for data entry.

A spreadsheet used for data entry can provide date pickers, choice lists and searchable LOVs to validate cell values. The template that defines the spreadsheet shape can default attribute values, define the order of the columns and customize the column headings and help text.

This template can then be shared with less technical users or business users to streamline the data entry and perform bulk updates. The user initiates the data upload from the spreadsheet, and errors are reported against the failed lines in the spreadsheet. The data can then be corrected in the spreadsheet, and the upload can be retried.