ExcelToCI not loading correct history data.

Question

We are using ExcelToCI to load history data on JOB_DATA component. The action used is UPDATE as the data is loaded at Scroll - Level 1. The row is intended to be added between 2 rows i.e. between CURRENT and HISTORY (or between 2 history rows) and only a few fields need to change. The row gets inserted, however the problem is that the data in the newly inserted row is from the succedding/ current row rather than previous/ history row.
Following is the expected behaviour of the system as per the excerpt from Administer Workforce PeopleBook 9.0 page 553:
__When you enter a new data row, the system copies the contents of the previous row into the new row—thus__
__you do not have to retype any information that stays the same. (Ensure that you position the cursor on the__
__data row that you want to copy before you insert the new row.) The only new information is the effective__
__date, which is set by default to the system date (usually today’s date).__
The above is the normal system behaviour but the ExcelToCI is not conforming to that. Has someone faced the same issue?
Faraz

Answer 1

ExcelToCI is not really designed for and is certainly not guaranteed to work with large, complex CIs. They don't come much larger or more complex than JOB_DATA, so it shouldn't be too much of a surprise that it isn't working as expected.
Look for the ExcelToCI_Troubleshooting_Guide.doc on Oracle Support, and/or read the "Using the Excel to Component Interface Utility" chapter in the PeopleTools Component Interfaces PeopleBook. The PeopleBook description of the Action setting has some specific advice on handling effective dated rows.
Regards,
Bob