You can choose one of the following methods to write and edit formulas:

• FastFormula Assistant, which you can use to make changes without keeping date-tracked records of your formulas or if you are new to formulas

• Formula window, which you can use to make changes and keep the date-tracked history of your formulas

   To write or edit a formula using the FastFormula Assistant:

1. Navigate to the Total Compensation : Basic menu and select the FastFormula Assistant option that you require. The Global FastFormula Assistant option provides access to formulas across all business groups whereas the FastFormula Assistant option provides access to all formulas in the current business group only.

2. Follow the instructions on the FastFormula Assistant pages to find out how to write and edit your formulas.

   To write or edit a formula using the Formula window:

1. Set your effective date to the date when you want to begin using the formula.

2. To write a new formula, enter the formula's name and select a type. To edit an existing formula, query its name.

   Note: You cannot create formulas that exceed 64K in the Formula window. You must split longer formulas into two.

3. Choose the Edit button to open a blank Edit Formula window where you can write a new formula, or modify an existing one.

4. If you want to select database items, choose the Show Items button to display the Database Items window and run a query. Copy and paste items from this window to the Edit Formula window.

5. If you want your formula to use input value names that have been translated from English, choose the Input Values button. The Input Values window always displays translated names if translated names exist. To include translated input value names in your formula text, select the translated name and then choose the Paste Input button to paste to your formula text.

6. When you finish writing or editing the formula, choose the Verify button to compile it.

   This process identifies any syntax errors in your formula.

   Note: Once you have compiled any formula, new functions or changes to existing functions made after the first time you compile, are not used. You must logout of Oracle HRMS and login again. You can now compile your formula and the new functions and/or changes to existing functions will be included.

7. When the formula is verified successfully, save it.

8. Your next step depends on the type of formula:

   • If the formula is of type Oracle Payroll, you must associate it with an element in the Formula Result Rules window.

   • If the formula is of type Element Skip, you select it in the Skip Rule field of the Element window.

   • If the formula is of type Element Input Validation, you select it in the Formula field of the Input Values window when you are defining an element.

   • If the formula is of type User Table Validation, you select it in the Formula field of the Columns window when you are defining a user table structure.

   • If the formula is of type Accrual, Accrual Carryover, or Accrual Ineligibility, you select it in the Accrual Plan window.

   • If the formula is of type Accrual Subformula, you call it from another formula of type Accrual.

   • If the formula is used for benefits administration, you select the formula in the Rules field of the appropriate benefits window.

   Test your formula in the situation you intend to use it (such as, in a test payroll run) to ensure it contains no logical errors.