Mastering SAP HR Infotype Updates: A Guide to Using Function Modules

Infotypes are the backbone of SAP HR data storage, house critical information on employees, time management, payroll, and organizational assignments. As an SAP HR professional, you may frequently need to perform info-type updates. Luckily, SAP provides powerful Function Modules (FMs) that streamline this process. Let’s delve into the details.

What are Infotypes?

• A quick refresher: Infotypes are structured data units in SAP HR storing specific employee information.
• Examples: Infotype 0000 (Actions), Infotype 0001 (Organizational Assignment), Infotype 0002 (Personal Data), etc.

Why Update Infotypes?

• Life Changes: Employee data changes (marriage, address, etc.) require updates.
• Organizational Restructuring: Department changes, promotions, and transfers necessitate updates.
• Data Corrections: Fixing data entry errors.
• Process Automation: Integrations and batch updates.

The Essential Function Module: HR_INFOTYPE_OPERATION

• SAP’s prime FM for info-type operations (creation, updates, deletions).
• Key parameters:
  • INFTY: Infotype number
  • NUMBER: Personnel Number
  • OPERATION: ‘INS’ (insert), ‘UPD’ (update), ‘DEL’ (delete)
  • RECORD: Data structure matching the info type
  • SUBTYPE: Necessary for certain info types
• Note: Lock the employee record before using this FM and unlock it afterward.

Code Example: Updating Infotype 0002 (Personal Data)

Code snippet

* Lock the personnel number 

CALL FUNCTION ‘BAPI_EMPLOYEE_ENQUEUE’

    EXPORTING

       number = employee-per

    IMPORTING

       return = lock_status.

* Prepare the updated data structure for Infotype 0002

data: updated_p0002 type p0002.

updated_p0002-pernr = employee-pernr.

updated_p0002-nachn = ‘New Last Name’. “Example change

* Call the function module

CALL FUNCTION ‘HR_INFOTYPE_OPERATION’

    EXPORTING

        nifty = ‘0002’

        number = employee-per 

        record = updated_p0002

        operation = ‘UPD’

    IMPORTING 

        return = return_messages.

* Handle any return messages (errors, warnings, etc.).

* Unlock the personnel number 

CALL FUNCTION ‘BAPI_EMPLOYEE_DEQUEUE’

    EXPORTING

       number = employee-pernr.

Use code with caution.

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Additional Considerations

• BAPIs: Use BAPIs like BAPI_EMPLOYEE_ENQUEUE and BAPI_EMPLOYEE_DEQUEUE for robust locking and unlocking.
• Complex Infotypes: Some infotypes have additional screen-specific structures (like PSPAR for Infotype 0000).
• Batch Processing: Use HR_PSBUFFER_INITIALIZE for multiple updates to improve performance.

Key Points

• Function Modules drastically simplify SAP HR info type updates.
• HR_INFOTYPE_OPERATION is your go-to tool.
• Master the syntax, and you’ll be an SAP HR data-management pro!