Understanding SAP HR Master Data Tables

SAP HR (SAP HCM – Human Capital Management) is a powerful module within the SAP enterprise resource planning suite. It handles all aspects of human resources management, from recruitment and onboarding to payroll administration and performance tracking. The heart of this system lies in its master data tables, which store essential employee information.

What is HR Master Data?

HR Master Data refers to the core information about your employees. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Personal Data: Name, address, date of birth, social security number, marital status, etc.
• Organizational Data: Job title, department, cost center, reporting lines, employment status.
• Time Data: Work schedules, time entries, absences.
• Payroll Data: Salary, benefits, bank account details, tax information.

Crucial SAP HR Master Data Tables

Here are some of the most critical SAP HR master data tables you should familiarize yourself with:

• PA0000 – Actions: Stores information about personnel actions such as hirings, promotions, transfers, and terminations.
• PA0001 – Organizational Assignment: Contains employee assignments to positions, jobs, departments, and other organizational units.
• PA0002 – Personal Data: Houses basic employee information like name, address, nationality, etc.
• PA0006 – Addresses: Stores employee address details.
• PA0007 – Planned Working Time: Maintains information related to an employee’s standard work schedule.
• PA0008 – Basic Pay: Holds wage types, pay rates, and an employee’s basic salary information.
• PA0009 – Bank Details: Stores bank details for direct deposits and other payment information.

Infotypes: The Building Blocks of SAP HR Master Data

SAP HR structures data using ‘Infotypes.’ These are logical groupings of data fields related to a specific HR area. For example, Infotype 0002 stores Personal Data. Each info type has its corresponding table.

Working with SAP HR Master Data Tables

There are several ways to access and maintain SAP HR master data tables:

• SAP Transactions: Transactions like PA20 (Display HR Master Data), PA30 (Maintain HR Master Data), and PA40 (Personnel Actions) provide direct access to specific master data tables.
• Data Browser (SE16/SE16N): This transaction lets you view table data. Use SE11 to explore table structures.
• SAP Reporting Tools: SAP offers various reporting tools to generate custom reports based on HR master data.

Key Points to Remember

• HR Master Data integrity is paramount for accurate payroll processing, compliance, and HR analytics.
• Regularly audit and maintain master data to ensure accuracy and consistency.
• SAP provides authorization mechanisms to control access to sensitive HR data. Ensure appropriate security measures.

Beyond the Basics

We’ve only scratched the surface of SAP HR master data tables. Numerous other tables are relevant to specific HR functions, such as benefits administration, time management, and talent management. Exploring the SAP documentation and user communities is a great way to delve deeper into this topic.