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Importing Batch Timecards

Use the Import Batch Timecards Import to load batch timecards from files stored on your personal computer or network server.

Menu Path

From the Human Resources menu, select Entry & Processing. From the Payroll menu, select Import Batch Timecards. From the action bar, select Import.

Use the Import Wizard

The Import item on the action bar launches a wizard that takes you step by step through:

  • Loading the file.

  • Mapping the columns on the file to the fields in the database table.

  • Mapping static columns that are required by the Import option, but not defined in the file.

  • Saving the mapping that was created to be used for future file imports.

  • Generating a list of warnings and/or error messages found during the data validation. These are the same messages that appear when you add or edit a timecard record on the Edit Employee Time page. For details, refer to Adding and Changing Timecards.

File Requirements

Your ability to import data in a file depends on the following:

  • The data in the file fields must comply with the field requirements in timecard records. For example, if a field requires numeric data and the file contains characters, the system cannot import the file.

  • The file must be formatted as XML Spreadsheet 2003, Comma Separated (CSV), Tab-Delimited (TXT), or Pipe-Delimited ( I ).

  • The extension on the file to be imported must be *.xml, *.exml, *.csv,*.txt, or *.unl.

  • You must have the appropriate security resource to access the Import item.

Create Files for Import

You can create the file to be imported into the table in any manner you choose. The easiest way is to use a spreadsheet program. The fields in the file can be entered in any order. After the file is created, it needs to be saved with the extension of *.xml, *.exml, *.csv, *.txt, or *.unl.

Include required fields in the file or enter them in the wizard's Static Column Value Mapping page. Defaults display on the Static Column Value Mapping page, but you can change them.

The database table used to store batch timecards in the Import Batch Timecards option is itimecard. Following are the database names of the Import Batch Timecard table's fields and their descriptions:

Field

Name

Description

Required

itimecard.empl_no

Employee Number

Employee Number

Yes

itimecard.pay_run

Pay Run

Pay Run for which you want to enter the timecard

Yes

itimecard.classify

Job Class

If the field is not in the file or entered on the Static Column Value Mapping page, the value defaults from the Class field on the employee's primary pay rate during the import.

Yes

itimecard.pay_code

Pay Code

If the field is not in the file or entered on the Static Column Value Mapping page, the value defaults from the Pay Code field on the employee's primary pay rate during the import. 

Yes

itimecard.hours

Hours

If the field is not in the file, the field defaults to zero on the Static Column Value Mapping page. You can edit it if needed. If hours are not needed for the timecard entry then leave the default at zero.

Yes

itimecard.payrate

Pay Rate

If the field is not in the file, the field defaults to zero on the Static Column Value Mapping page. You can edit it if needed. If pay rate is not needed for the timecard entry then leave the default at zero.

During the import, if this field is not in the file, the following values default:

  • If the job class and pay code for the employee are associated with a pay rate record, the pay rate amount defaults from that pay rate record and overrides the 0 default.

  • If the job class is associated with a pay rate record but not the pay code, and the Pay Method on the associated pay rate is P - Pay Period or R - Range/Step Pay Period, the pay rate defaults to the pay rate's Docking Rate times the pay code table's Rate field.

  • If the job class is associated with a pay rate record but not the pay code, and the Pay Method on the associated pay rate is H - Hourly, D - Daily or S - Range/Step Pay Rate, the pay rate defaults to the pay rate's Rate times the pay code table's Rate field.

  • If neither the job class nor the pay code used are associated with a pay rate for the employee, the pay rate defaults from the pay code table's Rate field.

Yes

itimecard.amount

Pay Amount

If the Pay Code to be imported for the employee has a pay type of Hourly, Daily or Per Unit, the Pay Amount must equal Hours X Pay Rate for the timecard entry to be imported.

Yes

itimecard.orgn

Budget Unit

This field is required for the import if the employee's Account is in the file or entered on the Static Column Value Mapping page.

Yes if Account is present

itimecard.account

Account

This field is required for the import if the employee's Budget Unit is in the file or entered on the Static Column Value Mapping page.

Yes if Budget Unit is present

itimecard.proj

Project

This field is required for the import if the employee's Project Account is in the file or entered on the Static Column Value Mapping page.

Yes if Project Account is present

itimecard.pacct

Project Account

This field is required for the import if the employee's Project is in the file or entered on the Static Column Value Mapping page.

Yes if Project is present

itimecard.tax_ind

Tax Indicator

Tax Indicator

No

itimecard.pay_cycle

Pay Cycle

If the field is not in the file, the field defaults to 1 on the Static Column Value Mapping page. You can edit it if needed.

Yes

itimecard.flsa_cycle

FLSA Cycle

If the field is not in the file, the field defaults to zero on the Static Column Value Mapping page. You can edit it if needed.

Yes

itimecard.start_date

Start Date

This field is required if the pay code in the file or the value entered for the pay code in the Static Column Value Mapping page is associated with leave.

Yes if the pay code is associated with leave

itimecard.stop_date

Stop Date

This field is required if the pay code in the file or the value entered for the pay code in the Static Column Value Mapping page is associated with leave.

Yes if the pay code is associated with leave

itimecard.lv_hrs

Leave Hours/Days

This field is required if the pay code in the file or the value entered for the pay code in the Static Column Value Mapping page is associated with leave. If the field is not in the file or entered on the Static Column Value Mapping page, the value defaults to the value of itimecard.hours during the import.

Yes if the pay code is associated with leave

itimecard.remarks

Remarks

Enter a comment if desired

No

itimecard.sub_id

Substitute Employee Number

If the pay code in the file or the value entered for the pay code in the Static Column Value Mapping page is associated with leave, a substitute's information can be entered to be associated with the timecard.

No

itimecard.sub_pay_code

Substitute Pay Code

If the field is not in the file or entered on the Static Column Value Mapping page, the value defaults from the substitute's Pay Code field on their primary pay rate during the import. This occurs when the three fields, Substitute Pay Code, Substitute Pay Class, and Substitute Pay Rate, are not imported.

Yes if a Substitute Employee Number is present

itimecard.sub_pay_class

Substitute Pay Class

If the field is not in the file or entered on the Static Column Value Mapping page, the value defaults from the substitute's Class field on their primary pay rate during the import.

Yes if a Substitute Employee Number is present

itimecard.sub_pay_rate

Substitute Pay Rate

If the field is not in the file, the field defaults to zero on the Static Column Value Mapping page. You can edit it if needed. If pay rate is not needed for the timecard entry then leave the default at zero.

During the import, if this field is not in the file, the following values default:

  • If the job class and pay code for the substitute employee are associated with a pay rate record, the pay rate amount defaults from that pay rate record and overrides the 0 default.

  • If the job class is associated with a pay rate record but not the pay code, and the Pay Method on the associated pay rate is P - Pay Period or R - Range/Step Pay Period, the pay rate defaults to the pay rate's Docking Rate times the pay code table's Rate field.

  • If the job class is associated with a pay rate record but not the pay code, and the Pay Method on the associated pay rate is H - Hourly, D - Daily or S - Range/Step Pay Rate, the pay rate defaults to the pay rate's Rate times the pay code table's Rate field.

  • If neither the job class nor the pay code used are associated with a pay rate for the substitute employee, the pay rate defaults from the pay code table's Rate field.

Yes if a Substitute Employee Number is present

itimecard.sub_amt_paid

Amount Paid to Substitute

The Pay Amount must equal Substitute Hours/Days X Substitute Pay Rate for the timecard entry to be imported. If the field is not in the file or entered on the Static Column Value Mapping page, the value is calculated using Substitute Hours/Days X Substitute Pay Rate.

Yes if a Substitute Employee Number is present

itimecard.sub_loc

Substitute Location

If the field is not in the file or entered on the Static Column Value Mapping page, the value defaults from the employee's Location field on the Personnel Tab of Employee Information.

Yes if a Substitute Employee Number is present

itimecard.sub_tax_ind

Substitute Tax Indicator

Tax Indicator for the substitute

No

itimecard.sub_orgn

Budget Unit for Substitute

This field is required for the import if the substitute's Account is in the file or entered on the Static Column Value Mapping page.

Yes if Account is present

itimecard.sub_acct

Account for Substitute

This field is required for the import if the substitute's Budget Unit is in the file or entered on the Static Column Value Mapping page.

Yes if Budget Unit is present

itimecard.sub_start

Substitute Start Date

If the field is not in the file or entered on the Static Column Value Mapping page, the value defaults from the employee's start date.

Yes if a Substitute Employee Number is present

itimecard.sub_stop

Substitute End Date

If the field is not in the file or entered on the Static Column Value Mapping page and there is no value in the Substitute Start Date field, the value defaults from the substitute's stop date. If the Substitute Start Date has a value in the file or entered on the Static Column Value Mapping page and there is no value for the Substitute End Date, then the value defaults from the substitute's start date.

Yes if a Substitute Employee Number is present

itimecard.sub_hrs

Substitute Hours/Days

If the field is not in the file or entered on the Static Column Value Mapping page, the value defaults from the regular employee's leave hours/days.

  • For the substitute employee, the pay code must have a pay type of Hourly, Daily or Per Unit.

  • The Amount Paid to Substitute must equal Substitute Hours/Days X Substitute Pay Rate for the timecard.

Yes if a Substitute Employee Number is present

Navigate in the Import Wizard

Click Next to advance to the next page. Click Previous to return to the previous page. Click Cancel to return to the Import Batch Timecards page.

Import a File

  1. On the Import Batch Timecards page, click Import.

  2. Select Click to upload a file.

  3. Select the desired file. You can drag and drop a file copy or navigate File Explorer, select the desired file, and click Open.

  4. Click Load to load the data from the file.

  5. Select the line to use for Column Titles, and click Set Column Titles. If you select an incorrect line, click Reset Column Titles to return the line to the list, and repeat the step with the correct line selected.

  6. After the column titles are set, select the lines to import.

    • To select a range of lines, hold down the Shift key, click the first line in the range, and then click the last line.

    • To select multiple lines individually, hold down the Ctrl key, and click each line.

    • To select all lines, click Select All.

  7. Click Next.

  8. In the Define Column Mapping page, perform one of the following options:

    • Select a mapping from the Saved Import Mapping list.

    • Tab to the Table Field column for the first record and select the table field from the database table to map to the column listed in the Import File Column field. The Field Description column defaults the column's user-friendly name and cannot be changed. Map additional fields until each record has a mapping.

  9. Click Next.

    • If the data in the file does not meet the requirements of the database table, the Import Errors page appears. You cannot proceed until either the file or the mapping is corrected. Click Previous to go back and edit the mapping.

    • If there are no errors but some required fields from the database are not mapped, the Static Column Value Mapping page appears. Complete the following steps.

    • If there are no errors and all required fields are mapped, proceed to step 12.

  10. On the Static Column Value Mapping page, required fields from the database table that were not mapped on the Define Column Mapping page appear. Add values as needed. Click Append Row to add other fields that have not been mapped if needed.

  11. After the static mapping is complete, click Next.

  12. On the Save Import Mapping page, complete the following fields. The ability to save new and updated import mappings on the Save Import Mapping page is dependent on security and mapping settings.

    • Mapping Name: If you want to save the mapping settings for future use, enter a unique name to describe the mapping settings. The limit is 38 characters.

      • This field is required if you want to save your mapping settings for future use.

      • If you selected a saved mapping, the name is populated. You can edit the name and save it as a unique mapping or leave the name and update the existing mapping.

    • Public: Select Public to allow other users to select your mapping. If cleared, the mapping only appears in the list for your user login.

    • Restricted: Select Restricted to prevent other users from updating the mapping you are saving. If cleared and your mapping is shared, other users can edit the mapping settings.

    • Save Options:

      • Create new mapping: Create a new mapping with your settings.

      • Update existing mapping: If you selected a saved mapping and have security permissions, save the edits that you made in the mapping settings to the existing mapping.

      • Do not save mapping: Do not save he mapping settings you entered for future use.

    • Owner: Read-only field displays the logged in username.

  13. Click Finish to exit the Import wizard.

  14. If any errors or warnings are encountered during data validation when the file is imported, the Import Status page displays. The page lists the errors and warning messages.

    • Display Results provides options for controlling the display: Select Warnings Only, Errors Only, Warnings/Errors Only, or Show All.

    • The Line # column lists the line numbers in the import file so you can find the data that must be corrected.

    • The Summary Information section displays the number of Errors, Warnings, and Successes.

  15. You can:

    • Click Print to print the list of errors.

    • Click Import on the action bar to import any successes. If there are no successes, this menu does not appear.

    • Click Back to exit, correct the file, and then re-run the import procedure.

  16. If there are no errors or you clicked the Import item in the last step, a Confirmation dialog appears. Click Yes to import the file and generate a final confirmation.

The timecards appear in the Import Batch Timecards page and you can maintain them as needed and post records.

Fields and Descriptions

File Import And Data Selection Page

This page allows users to initiate the Import wizard and select the file and records to import.

Field

Description

File to Import

Location and name of the file on your computer or network server.

Line #

Identifies the line in the file to be imported.

Column 1 - Column 100

Identifies the column headings for the file to be imported.

Define Column Mapping Page

This page allows users to map the columns in the file to be imported with the fields in the database table.

Field

Description

Saved Import Mapping

Lists the mapping you created or mappings set to public. When a saved mapping is selected, the table field mapping defaults into the Column Mapping section of the page.

Import File Column

Lists the Column Titles set on the File to Import Data Selection page.

Table Field

Lists the table and field names from the database table. Select the field you want to map to the Import File Column.

Field Description

User-friendly name for the value in the Table Field column. Display only.

Import Errors Page

This page generates a list of errors when the data in the file does not match the requirements of the fields in the database table.

Field

Description

Line #

Identifies the line in the file to be imported.

Import File Column

Lists the Column Titles set on the File to Import Data Selection page.

Table Field

Lists the table and field names from the database table.

Value

Displays the data in the field generating the error.

Error Message

Error message explaining why the value does not meet the database's requirements.

Static Column Mapping Page

This page allows users to statically map required fields in the database table to a value. The values the user enters applies to all lines of the file being imported.

Field

Description

Table Field

Lists the required table and field names from the database table that are not in the import file. Select Append Row to add non-required fields that were not in the import file and should be added to the records. The value you enter will apply to all the records that are imported.

Field Description

User-friendly name for the value in the Table Field column. Display only.

Value

Displays the value that will be used for all lines in the file being imported.

Save Import Mapping Page

This page allows users to save the mapping created and enter related settings.

Field

Description

Mapping Name

Accepts a unique name for identifying the mapping. Character/38

Owner

Identifies the user who created the mapping. When a user updates the mapping, the user's ID, as well as the date and time, will display next to the field. Display only.

Public

Checkbox for allowing all users to access the mapping. The mapping will appear in the Saved Import Mapping field of the Define Column Mapping page. If the checkbox is blank, only the owner can access the mapping.

Restricted

Checkbox for preventing all users except the owner from updating the mapping. If the checkbox is blank, all users will be able to enter updates.

Save Options

Indicates if and how the mapping should be saved.

Select:

  • Create new mapping: Requires a unique Mapping Name.

  • Update existing mapping: Updates the existing mapping with changes made on the Define Column Mapping page or Static Column Mapping page if you leave the Mapping Name as it populated.

  • Do not save mapping: Does not save the mapping you used.

Import Status Page

This page displays any error and warning messages generated during validation of the import's data.

Field

Description

Number of Errors

Read-only field displays the count of errors found during validation that will prevent the data from being imported. Display only.

Number of Warnings

Read-only field displays the count of warnings found during the data validation. Warnings will not prevent the data from being imported. 

Number of Successes

Read-only field displays the count of successes found during the data validation.

Display Results

Allows you to specify the records to display in the page's list, as well as on the Import Status report.

Select:

  • Show Errors Only: Only displays the errors preventing lines from being imported.

  • Show Warnings Only: Only displays the warning messages.

  • Show Errors/Warnings Only (default): Displays both errors and warning messages.

  • Show All: Displays errors, warning messages, and successes.

Indicator

Displays symbols to identify warnings, errors, and successes.

Line #

Identifies the lines in the import file. If the line is associated with a warning or error, it identifies the line that you need to correct.

Status

Displays errors and warning messages generated during data validation. Also displays successes if Show All is selected in the Display Results section.

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