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Configuring System Properties and Entities

Objectives

After completing this lesson, you will be able to:

Configure properties files
Add a custom field
Enable the New Learning Experience Home Page

System Configuration Files

There are many configuration settings that are determined by properties in configuration files. These should only be modified during implementation or by a System Administrator as they can affect global system behavior.

Hint

As best practice, it is recommended that the entire file is copied to a text editor and saved before making any changes. After editing the file, save it with a new name. This allows you to revert to the original unedited file if you need to restore the system's previous behavior.

System configuration property files are found by navigating to: Application Administration → Configuration → System Configuration.

You can edit the property files to customize system behaviors. Some of the important system property files include:

BIZX: May be viewed to confirm the integration between SAP SuccessFactors HCM (formerly BizX) and SAP SuccessFactors Learning was successful.
CONNECTORS: Used to configure FTP settings, field mappings, and other settings necessary for the Connectors to find the correct input files and add the data to the system correctly.
LMS_ADMIN: Numerous global settings including background job settings, maximums, and system behaviors.
SEARCH: Contains settings for global searching defaults such as the number of rows per page to be displayed in search results and whether searches are case sensitive by default.
USER LEARNING PLAN: Contains configuration settings for user including Learning Plan and Curriculum Details.

Customizing Search Properties

The Search properties file establishes global search defaults that apply to all searches. However, individual searches can be tailored by modifying the Search Selector Property file.

Best Practices for Search Customization

For Searches with Many Results: Searches that typically return a large number of results (such as those for Items, Job Codes, or Job Locations) should enable administrators to filter results using secondary search criteria.

For Searches with Few Results: In contrast, searches that yield a small number of results should display the results immediately or provide a dropdown list for selection.

Setting Properties in the Search Selector File

At the bottom of each Search Selector file, there are three properties that need to be consistently set to either true or false, based on the anticipated number of results.

Example for Large Job Codes: If a customer has a significant number of job codes, they should navigate to System Administration → Configuration → Search Selectors, edit the Job Code Search Selector, and set the following three properties to false:

properties.EntitySearchDefaultToResultPage=false
properties.PickerSearchDefaultToResultPage=false
dropDownEnabled=false

Location of the Properties settings is highlighted in the search selector file.

Custom Fields Configuration

Certain entities, such as classes, items, or users, may not include all the fields that a customer might desire by default. To accommodate specific needs, additional fields can be added to these entities. These fields can either contain unique text or reference predefined values.

For instance, you can create a custom field for the User entity called Division. This field can be set up as a reference field with limited options, such as:

Headquarters
HR
Maintenance
Operations
Training

Values for these custom fields can be entered manually by an administrator or imported through a connector.

Custom fields may be created for Class, Cohort, Curricula, Instructor, Item, Job Codes, Objective, Organization, Program, Question, Special Request, and User Entities.

Create a Custom Unreferenced Field for the User Entity

The creation of custom fields is a two-step process. First, you must configure the custom field in the appropriate entity and then use the entity configuration tool to make it displayed or required. Custom fields may be unreferenced, meaning the administrator is allowed to enter free text to satisfy the field’s attribute. They may also be referenced, which allows the administrator to select a value from a dropdown to satisfy the field’s attribute.

Steps

Navigate to System Administration → Custom Fields.
Select the User Entity.
Choose Search to display all the existing custom fields for that entity.
Note the field numbers that are already being used, if any. Custom fields that are in use will typically have an associated label.
Select and edit a custom field that is not in use.
Enter the field label.
Select Apply Changes.

Result

A custom unreferenced field for the User entity has been created.

Create a Custom Referenced Field for the User Entity

A referenced field enables users to choose a corresponding value for a field attribute from a predefined list in a drop-down menu. These custom referenced fields will be utilized as searchable criteria attributes within the system and are useful for assignment profiles rule creation and reporting.

Steps

Navigate to System Administration → Custom Fields.
Select the User entity.
Choose Search to display all the existing custom fields for that entity.
Note the field numbers that are already being used, if any. Custom fields that are in use will typically have an associated label.
Select and edit a custom field that is not in use.
Enter the field label.
Check Referenced.
Select Apply Changes.
Enter a Reference ID and Description.
Select Add.
Enter again a Reference ID and Description.
Select Add.
Select Apply Changes.

Result

The list of referenced values is populated.

User Custom Fields menu is opened and the referenced values are highlighted.

Managing Custom Fields in the Entity Configuration Tool

To display the custom field in the entity for which it was created, use the Entity Configuration tool. This tool allows you to hide specific fields or make displayed fields required.

To view or change the entity configuration:

Steps

Navigate to Learning Administration → System Administration → Configuration → Entity Configuration.
Select the appropriate entity from the Select Entity dropdown.
Enter the word custom in the Search field to narrow down your results.
Find the custom field that was created.
Check the appropriate boxes to make it Required or Display.

Result

The custom field will now be displayed or required in the entity.

Entity configuration tool menu is opened and the required and display columns are highlighted.

New Learning Experience Configuration

Organizations that are still using the Legacy home page can activate the new Learning Experience which includes enhanced search capability and personalized recommendations for Learning. Your Super Administrator may decide to disable the new Learning Experience until your company is ready to use it.

Note

The Legacy home page will be deprecated May 2025.

To activate the New Learning Experience, navigate to System Administration → Application Administration → Integrated Learning Settings to see the integrated learning settings and follow the instructions on the page.

Application Administration integrated learning settings menu is opened and instructions to navigate the New Learning Experience is displayed.

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