3777817 - Inconsistent error message displayed when selecting effective date with existing approved records for a custom MDF object: “Record is already available on this date. Choose another date.”

When adding a record to a customer MDF object, if you select an effective date with an existing record, the error message "Record is already available on this date. Choose another date." is displayed. However, if the portlet is closed and opened again using the same date that previously presented the error, the issue doesn't happen the second time. 

• SAP SuccessFactors HCM Suite
• Metadata Framework (MDF)

1. Log in with a user who has edit permission.
2. Open an employee’s profile and go to the relevant MDF-based card in the category.
3. Click the pencil icon on the MDF card.
4. Select an effective date that already has an existing approved/historical record.
5. Without closing the portlet, change the effective date again to another date that also has an existing record.
6. Observe the error: "Record is already available on this date. Choose another date."
7. Close the error popup and proceed; creation/editing may still be possible.
8. Note: If you close the portlet and re-open it, the same date can typically be selected without the error; the error occurs when changing to a second existing date without closing the portlet.

Expected behavior

When a user clicks the pencil icon on a card, the system initiates an INSERT operation rather than an edit/correction operation. The system performs the following actions:

1. Loads the data effective as of today's date
2. Copies the most recent time slice record to the current date
3. Allows the user to create a new time slice entry

What Happens When Changing Dates:

• If the user subsequently changes the effective date to a date where records already exist, the system automatically switches the operation mode from INSERT to CORRECT
• When the user changes the date again to another date with existing records, both the current operation context and the new operation type are set to CORRECT, resulting in a conflict that triggers the error.

To prevent this error, users should follow the intended workflow:

• Pencil Icon: Use this to insert a new time slice record for a future or new effective date
• History Icon: Use this to make corrections to existing records by selecting the relevant historical record that needs to be updated

This separation ensures proper operating context management and prevents system conflicts.

• 2208066 - How to create a Custom MDF Portlet in the Employee/People Profile
• 2544336 - Custom MDF workflow and its behavior depending on Pending Data = Yes/ No
• SAP Help Portal - Implementing the Metadata Framework (MDF) - Workflows in MDF

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