Overview of Element Input Values

An element's input values define the entry values available on each entry of an element. Each input value has a unit of measure, such as money or date.

Input values can include validations and conditions to control the data entry of theelement entry assigned to a person. For example, an earnings element may have an input value for hours worked, whichis required and has a unit of measure of number.

When you create an element, some input values are created automatically depending on your country extension and the element classification. You can create additional input values for any element, as needed.

Note: You can't add an input value to the element if any payroll process were run after the element was created. This behavior holds good irrespective of whether the payroll run included this element or not. To add input values, rollback all processes that were ran after the element creation date.

Input Value Options

For each input value created, you can modify these attributes:

Field Value	What You Do
Display Sequence	Enter a number to control the display order of the entry value on element entries.
Special Purpose	Select how the input value is to be used. For example, you can indicate that it holds a percentage value, a rate, or third-party payee details. This value assists with processing the input value based on what type of information it holds.
Unit of Measure	Select the value that describes the type of value the entry value can hold, such as number or character.
Displayed	Select to display the input value on the element entry.
Allow User Entry	Select to enter values on element entries.
Required	Select to make the input value a required entry value on the element entry. If you select Required, you must also select Displayed and Allow User Entry.
Create a Database Item	Select if you want to make the values available for formulas or HCM extract.
Rate Formula	Select a rate calculation formula, for example to return a value from a user-defined table. This option only applies to the Primary input value for elements associated with rate definitions that have the Element method and a contributor type of Amount. If you select a formula, you must not select Allow User Entry.
Default	Enter a value that appears as the default value for this entry value in element entries, if needed.
Apply default at runtime	Select to apply the default value when you run the payroll process, rather than when you create the element entry. This selection ensures you use the latest value on the date of the payroll run. You can manually override the default value on the element entry.
Minimum	Enter a minimum value, if needed.
Maximum	Enter a maximum value, if needed.
Validation Formula	Enter a formula that validates the entry value entered on element entries, if needed.
Validation Source	Use with the other input value options to select the valid validation method, such as lookups or formulas.
Lookup Type	Specify a lookup type to provide a list of values for an entry value. This option is available for input values of type Character only.
Warning or Error	Use when you're validating the input value or entering a minimum or maximum value. It specifies whether a warning or an error displays if the entry fails the validation condition or doesn't meet the minimum or maximum value indicated.
Reference	Use to associate a balance context with the run result. For example, you can associate a context, such as jurisdiction, with an element. Create an input value for jurisdiction and select the jurisdiction context in the Reference field. Then the run result value of the input value works as a context value when updating the balance. If you select a reference, then the lookup type and validation source values should be automatically set to the reference context. You must provide the Reference field first for the validation source value to be automatically populated.
Value Set	Specify a value set to provide a dynamic list of values for an entry value. This option is available for input values of type Character only.

Caution: Once an element is processed, you can't update certain input value attributes, such as unit of measure. This restriction ensures that you can't change attributes that would invalidate prior results.

This table provides examples of the allowable formats, depending on the unit of measure (UOM) specified for the entry value.

Unit of Measure	Sample Entry Value	Display in Application
Character	C	Complete
Integer	12345	12,345
Number	12345.6789 0.123456789	12,345.6789 0.123456789
Day	123 0.123	123 0.123
Money	12345 -12345.67	12345.00 <12345.67>
Hours in decimal format, 1 place	12345	12345.0
Hours in decimal format, 2 places	12345	12345.00
Hours in decimal format, 3 places	12345	12345.000
Hours expressed as a numeric value	12345	12345
Hours and minutes expressed as numeric values	12345	12345:00
Hours, minutes, and seconds expressed as numeric values	12345	12345:00:00
Date	2016-06-21	21-Jun-2016
Time	13:05	1:05 PM

Note: Display values can be derived from the meaning attribute of the view object. For example if you enter C as a value for the Character UOM, it displays as Complete. Conversion to display formats is based on the profile option value and locale.