User data comes from multiple sources, including the following:
Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS) (either manually or automatically)
Spreadsheets
Databases
CSV
Regardless of where the data comes from, it must first be organized and formatted to be recognized and accepted by SAP SuccessFactors.
The User Data File (UDF)
The basic import file or User Data File (UDF) is a CSV file and consists of standard data elements. These are required fields, filter fields, and optional fields. Fields vary based on your configuration and tools, but some of the field requirements for the User Data File that must be provided when importing new employees or modifying existing ones are: STATUS, USERID, USERNAME, MANAGER, GENDER, FIRSTNAME, LASTNAME, DEPARTMENT or TIMEZONE
Note
The full list of Field Requirements for the User Data File can be found in the SAP Help Portal. You can check the section Preparing a User Data File, in the Managing User Information guide.
To begin an implementation, download a blank template that you download directly from the tool to create new users.
Watch this video to learn about the User Data File (UDF).
Caution
Rows 1 and 2 of the template (System ID and Label, respectively) must be preserved.
Note
The prerequisite course THR80 - SAP SuccessFactors Platform Introduction Academy includes additional content about Managing User Data in SAP SuccessFactors. You can check the Basic Configurations unit within the course to expand or refresh concepts learned about User Data Management.Your training instance already includes a set of users, including managers and direct reports, that will be used in later exercises.