3671006 - "Please make sure that the external code for picklist X with option ID Y is valid" error

A call to the Compound Employee API fails and returns the following error:

• "person_id_external : <person ID>
  node_name : <entity>
  ....
  COMPOUND_EMPLOYEE/PICKLIST_INVALID
  <field> can't be returned: Please make sure that the external code for <picklist> with Option ID <value> is valid. If this is a migrated picklist, please maintain missing non-unique external codes for this picklist"

In the example above, employee <person ID> has a record in the <entity>, where the <field>, which is linked to the <picklist>, is populated with the <value>, which should correspond to an existing Option ID in that picklist.

SAP SuccessFactors HCM Suite

There are four common reasons for this error:

1. Missing Non-unique External Code in Picklist Center (MDF picklists);

2. Missing External Code value in exported picklist file (Legacy picklists);

3. Option ID mismatch due to historical employee data saved with an outdated picklist value;

4. Corrupted or outdated picklist values in employee records;

Cause 1: Missing Non-unique External Code (MDF picklists)

If using MDF picklists, ensure Non-unique External Code is properly maintained:

1. Go to Picklist Center

2. Search for the picklist causing the error

3. Click on the relevant picklist value

4. Add a value under "Non-unique External Code"

5. Save the changes

Cause 2: Missing external_code in (Legacy picklists)

If using legacy picklists, ensure External Code is properly maintained:

1. Go to Import and Export Data > Export Data

2. Select the Picklist Values object and export the picklist data

3. Open the CSV and filter by the picklist name

4. Add or correct the value in the External Code field for the corresponding Option ID

5. Save the file

6. Go to Import and Export Data > Import Data

7. Upload the updated CSV and proceed with the import

Cause 3: Historical Snapshot with Outdated Option ID

When a picklist value is saved to an employee record, the database stores a snapshot of the picklist's Option ID at that time. If the picklist Option ID has since changed (unusual but possible), the system may not find a match.

Solution:

• Make a dummy update to all the employee's records in the relevant portlet (e.g., Job Information)

• Save the change

This will refresh the record with the current Option ID

Cause 4: Corrupted/Outdated Picklist Values in Employee Records

When viewing an employee profile:

• The picklist value appears during view mode

• But turns blank in edit mode, indicating a broken reference

Options to resolve:

• For a small number of records: manually update the affected picklist fields

• For a large number of records: perform a full purge import for the impacted portlets (e.g., Job Info, Personal Info)

external_code, picklist, Option ID, Boomi, SAP PI, Compound Employee API, COMPOUND_EMPLOYEE/PICKLIST_INVALID, Picklist Center, Import and Export Data, migrated picklists, non-migrated picklists, non-unique external code, snapshot, data correction , KBA , LOD-SF-INT-CE , Compound Employee API , Problem