In this article, we will look into the comparison of the data loader tools.
For Data Loads, we can use HCM Data Loader (HDL), HCM Spreadsheet Data Loader (HSDL), and REST APIs. Each of these tools has their own advantages/disadvantages and are best suited for different use cases.
HDL vs HSDL vs API Comparison
| HCM Data Loader | HCM Spreadsheet Data Loader | REST APIs |
| Powerful tool and can be used for bulk data loading | Can be used for a limited number of rows. Beyond which it will have performance issues | Powerful tool but middleware or scripting knowledge is mandatory |
| Supports multiple Keys (Source Keys, Surrogate Key, User Key, GUID) | Supports only User Keys, Surrogate Keys (for some objects) | Supports User Keys |
| Supports delete operation too for some business objects | Delete operation supported by some business objects | Doesn’t support the Delete operation |
| Supports loading Attachments and Images | Doesn’t support loading Attachments/Images | Doesn’t support Attachments/Images |
| Complicated and needs a bit of technical background | Best fit for business users as the tool is based in MS Excel | Best fit for real-time integration scenarios between two systems. Not a solution of one-time data conversion |
| Wide range of HDL samples are available on Oracle Documentation | Some Samples are available on Cloud Customer Connect | Sample payloads and invoking of APIs must be done in the hit and trial method. Not many samples are available. |
| Supports wide range of Business Objects | Supports a wide range of Business Objects | Supports Only limited Business Objects for which APIs are available |
| Errors can be easily seen on the application, and HDL file should be fixed and re-processed | Errors can be easily seen, and HSDL files should be fixed and re-processed | Errors will be available for every employee and there is a high chance that these errors might get unnoticed unless errors are consolidated. |
| The Preferred option for high volume Data Conversions | The preferred option for End Users in maintaining a business object | The preferred option for real-time integrations |
These are the major differences that I could think of. If you want to add more, please post them in comments section.
