To enable a custom Metadata Framework (MDF) object for Employee Self-Service (ESS), two fundamental configurations are required. First, the object's data must be directly linked to the employee. This is achieved by setting the externalCode field's data type to "User," making the employee's unique user ID the primary key for each record. Second, the employee needs an interface to view or edit this data. This is accomplished by creating a Configuration UI for the object, which defines the layout and fields visible to the end-user in their profile or as a self-service screen.

A. Set the externalName field to Data Type = User.

The externalName field is intended for a human-readable label for the object instance, not as the primary key linking it to a user.

B. Create a Valid When association for the object.

While associations link objects, the primary method to enable ESS for a parent object is setting externalCode to "User," not creating an association.

1. SAP SuccessFactors HXM Suite | Implementing the Metadata Framework (MDF) | Document Version: 2H 2023:

Section: Fields of a Generic Object. This section details the properties of object definition fields. It specifies that for an object to be used in Employee Profile (a primary ESS scenario)

the externalCode field must have its Data Type set to 'User'. This directly ties an instance of the object to a specific employee.

Section: Creating a User Interface for a Generic Object. This chapter explains that to display and interact with MDF object data

a user interface must be created using the "Manage Configuration UI" tool. It states

"Without a UI

you can't use the object on any page." This is essential for any self-service functionality.