Export Messages can be used to display notifications and errors for certain types of calculations for when an export is run. Errors will prevent the calculation from actually running, while information and warning messages will allow the calculation, but then display a message within a notification window on the portal when the calculation is processed.

Examples of Export Messages might include stopping calculations for participants that have a break-in-service or providing an information message for any participant that completes a calculation for a date that is after Normal Retirement Date.

1. Messages Tab/List: this list displays any existing messages as well as allows you to add additional messages to an export.
2. Formula Derived Item: messages are based upon the calculated values of a Formula Derived Item. Each possible value returned from that Formula Derived Item can then be set to correspond to a separate message.
   
   For example, you might create a Formula Derived Item, MessageCode, that returns three possible values (1: ACD is prior to NRD, 2: ACD equals NRD, and 3: ACD is after NRD), and then have a message that corresponds to each.
3. Message Type: this dropdown box allows you to specify the type of message: critical error, warning, or information.
4. Messages: this area allows you to associate different return values (from the Formula Derived Item) to different messages/text.