SAP Knowledge Base Article - Public

2409842 - Error "is an invalid picklist value in import file or database for" When Importing File With Cascading Picklist Values.

Symptom

When importing a file with picklist values maintained, you get the following error:
"(X) is an invalid picklist value in import file or database for (Y)"
Where (x) is a picklist value and (Y) is the field.

However, you can make the same selection in the UI without receiving any error.

Environment

SAP SuccessFactors Employee Central

Reproducing the Issue

  1. Go to Import Employee Data;
  2. Select the import type you want to perform;
  3. Click in "Validate" and see the error display.

Cause

There are some possible causes for this issue as described below:

  1. This issue is caused by duplicate labels being maintained in either or both of the picklist and the parent picklist;
  2. When creating the import CSV file, instead of filling it with the picklist labels, it has been filled the with the picklist's external or internal code;
  3. Missing translation for a parent picklist;
  4. Loading information prior to the existence of the picklist.

Resolution

Below are the explanation and solution for the possible causes:

  1. This issue is caused by duplicate labels being maintained in either or both of the picklist and the parent picklist:
    • In general it is advisable to have unique values for a picklist else we can face issues when importing, which may not be seen when changing values in the UI. Please amend the picklist labels so that each one is unique.
  1. When creating the import CSV file, instead of filling it with the picklist labels, it has been filled with the picklist's external or internal code:
    • Differently from MDF objects, when importing picklist fields the picklist's label must added instead of its external or internal code. So, please make sure to correct the CSV file by filling the values to be imported with the correspondent picklist value lable.

  2. Make sure to maintain translations for parent picklists;
  3. The effective date of the information added cannot be prior to the existence of the picklist.

Keywords

Import, Picklist, Label, Unique, is an invalid picklist value in import file or database for, Invalid, Error, Job Information, History, File, Parent, Child, Cascading Picklist, Issue. , KBA , LOD-SF-EC-EDP , Import Employee Data (EC Core only) , Problem

Product

SAP SuccessFactors Employee Central all versions ; SAP SuccessFactors HCM suite all versions