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Overview

Workday Query Language (WQL) is a powerful capability that lets users run complex queries against Workday data structures. This guide introduces using WQL within StackOne integrations so you can retrieve and shape Workday data effectively through custom reports.

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Key Features of WQL

  • Data retrieval: Extract specific data sources and their fields from Workday’s extensive datasets.
  • Flexible querying: Construct queries to filter, sort, and aggregate Workday data.
  • Nested data access: Access and work with nested data structures in Workday.

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Example Query

Example WQL query to retrieve workers and selected attributes: 
SELECT gender, email_PrimaryWork, email_PrimaryHome, lastName, firstName FROM allWorkers
Creating a custom report is optional for generating WQL (Workday Query Language). However, there are several ways to obtain WQL:
  • Custom Report Feature: By using the custom report feature, users can more accurately tailor the data they wish to extract from the data source and then convert the report to WQL.
  • Standard Reports: You can utilize existing standard reports and convert them directly to WQL. To do this, navigate to Convert Report to WQL and select the Standard Report.
  • Data Source Navigation: You can also navigate to the Data Source using global search and access a specific data source (e.g., All Workers) to view the available data source fields. From there, you can form a WQL query according to the WQL syntax.

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Create a Custom Report

1

Go to Create Custom Reports

Use the global search bar to search for “Create Custom Report”.
Global search for Create Custom Report
Enter the following details:
  • Report Name: Name for the WQL report.
  • Optimised for Performance: If ticked, only indexed data sources are shown. Untick this option to display all data sources.
  • Data Source: Select the data source you want to build a custom report for (e.g. All Workers).
  • Report Type: Select Advanced.
Create Custom Report details
Click OK to create the report.
2

Edit the custom report

After creating the report you are taken to the editing page. Select the fields you want to include from the data source.
Edit Custom Report
Click OK to save the field selection.
3

Test the custom report

Test the report by clicking Test in the three-dot action menu beside the report name.
Edit Custom Report

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Convert the Report to WQL in Workday

1

Go to Convert Reports to WQL

Use the global search bar to search for “Convert Reports to WQL”.
Global search for Convert Reports to WQL
Select the custom report you created earlier in the Create a Custom Report step.
Select created custom report
Click OK.
2

Get the WQL query

You are taken to a page showing the generated WQL query for your custom report.
Generated WQL Query
Copy this WQL query and paste it into the Employee WQL Query field when connecting through the StackOne Connector Hub.
Users generate the WQL query in their Workday account (calculated fields are not supported when converting a custom report to WQL) and must supply it during connection via the StackOne Connector Hub.

See ATS User Enablement for more details.

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StackOne Configuration

To enable Workday WQL in StackOne, go to the HRIS category on the Integrations page and enable Workday WQL.
Activate Workday
Select OAuth2 as the authentication type.
Activate Workday
Click Confirm or Save Changes to enable the Workday integration, allowing users to link their accounts via the StackOne Connector Hub.

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ATS User Enablement

Users connect their Workday accounts through the StackOne Connector Hub by providing the WQL query generated in their Workday account.
Activate Workday
Users will receive data based on the WQL query provided during the connection setup when they request a list of employees using the Unified APIs.

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Limitations of WQL

  • Calculated fields: WQL does not support calculated fields when converting custom reports to WQL.