FBDI vs HDL vs REST: Which Oracle Fusion Data Load Method?

Oracle Fusion gives you more than one way to get data in, and picking the wrong one wastes time. Here’s a plain-English guide to FBDI, HDL and REST — what each is for, and how to choose.

FBDI — bulk ERP loads

File-Based Data Import is the workhorse for ERP conversion — Financials, SCM, Procurement, Projects. You fill an Excel template, generate a CSV, upload it, and Fusion moves the rows through interface tables into base tables via an import job. It’s built for high volume and one-time conversion.

HDL — HCM objects

HCM Data Loader is the HCM equivalent. Instead of CSV it uses pipe-delimited .dat files — one per business object, such as Worker.dat — zipped and imported through Data Exchange. Use HDL for workers, assignments, payroll and other HCM data.

REST / ADFDI — incremental and interactive

REST APIs are for integration and smaller, incremental or real-time updates; ADFDI spreadsheets are for interactive, user-driven entry. Neither is meant for high-volume one-time conversion — that’s FBDI/HDL territory.

Which to use