Changes to Extract parameters result in payroll flow parameters reverting

This article is part of the “HCM Extracts: Issues and Solutions” series that covers issues and unexpected behaviour when designing and invoking HCM Extracts.

Synopsis

When an extract parameter is changed in the Extract Definition, the corresponding Payroll Flow parameters will revert to their default state, and any Payroll Flow parameter customizations will be lost.

Symptoms

If this situation occurs, the Payroll Flow parameter values that had been customized will no long return the customized value. This can result in incorrect parameter values being passed into an HCM Extract flow instance which can result in unexpected output from the Extract.

Detailed Explanation

When you define parameters in an HCM Extract an equivalent parameter is created in the Extract’s corresponding Payroll Flow.

Figure 1:Create parameters in HCM Extract definition

Figure 2:Parameters are automatically created in Payroll Flow

You can modify the parameters in the Payroll Flow, for instance to change the way a parameter value is derived. This has no impact on the HCM Extract itself, i.e. the HCM Extract parameter remains as you defined it.

Figure 3: Modify Payroll Flow Task Parameters

However, if you add a new parameter or change an existing parameter in the Extract definition then the Payroll Flow parameters are reset to their default state.

Figure 4: Add a new HCM Extract parameter

Figure 5: Previously modified Payroll Flow Task parameter has reverted to its default setting

You can see from Fig 4b. that Param1 is no longer set to return the SYSDATE context binding, and that it has reverted to its default state.

Solution

The only solution to this issue is to re-enter the modifications previously made to the Payroll Flow or Payroll Flow task parameters.