Flexfields

Oracle Applications : Flexfields

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Flexfields

Flexfields

Purpose and Applications• Flexibility to implement Code Structure• Flexibility to capture Additional Information

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Flexfields

Flexfields

As the name suggests, a flexfield is a “Flexible Field”.

A flexfield is a field made up of segments (which are actually table columns). Each segment has a name that can be assigned, and a set of valid values.

There are two types of flexfields in Oracle Applications: Key flexfields (KFF) and descriptive flexfields (DFF).

Using key and descriptive flexfields, you give end users the ability to customize your application to match their business needs, without programming.

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Flexfields

Key-Flexfields

A key flexfield represents an “intelligent key” that uniquely identifies an application entity.

Each key flexfield segment has a name you assign, and a set of valid values you specify. Each value has a meaning which can be specified.

A key flexfield provides with a flexible ”code” data structure that users can set up however they like using key flexfield segments.

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Flexfields

Key-Flexfields

Key flexfields let you satisfy the needs of different customers as per their business practices, without having to reprogram the application.

For each segment one can also define valid values for each segment, as well as cross–validation rules to describe valid segment combinations.

Oracle General Ledger’s Accounting Flexfield is an example of a key flexfield used to uniquely identify a general ledger account.

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Flexfields

Key Flexfields

You could use the Item Flexfield in an inventory application to uniquely identify inventory parts. It could contain such segments as product class, product code, size, color and packaging code.

You could define valid values for the color segment, for example, to range from 01 to 10, where 01 means red, 02 means blue, and so on.

You could even specify cross–validation rules to describe valid combinations of segment values.

• For example, products with a specific product code may only be available in certain colors.

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Flexfields

Key-Flexfield

A Flexfield Segment Is a Single Sub-field of a Flexfield Each segment is a single column of a table. Flexfield segments are usually validated against a set of

valid values, called a value set. Key Flexfields Identify an Entity Key flexfields serve as an intelligent primary key, where

each segment contains meaningful information. Key flexfields are integral parts of a form. They appear

as normal fields until the flexfield window pops up. Often the segment descriptions also appear on the form

in a concatenated-values field.

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Flexfields

Oracle Apps provided Key-Flexfield

Oracle Applications Key Flexfields Accounting Flexfield: Oracle General Ledger Asset Key Flexfield: Oracle Assets Bank Details KeyFlexfield : Oracle Payroll Category Flexfield: Oracle Assets Item Catalogs: Oracle Inventory Item Categories :Oracle Inventory Location Flexfield: Oracle Assets Position Flexfield: Oracle Personnel Sales Orders: Oracle Inventory Sales Tax Location Flexfield Oracle ReceivablesStock Locators : Oracle Inventory System Items : Oracle Inventory Territory Flexfield :Oracle Receivables

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Flexfields

Oracle Applications Key Flexfields

Accounting

CategoryAsset

Location

OracleAssets

OracleGeneralLedger

Account AliasesItem CatalogsItem Categories

Sales Orders

Stock Locators

System Items

Oracle Inventory

Bank DetailsCost AllocationPeople Group

OraclePayroll

Grade JobPersonal AnalysisPositionSoft Coded

OracleHumanResources

TerritorySales Tax LocationOracle

Receivables

Oracle Service ItemOracleService

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Flexfields

Accounting Keyflexfield

Has special features and is used for Chart of Account definition

Requires setup of • Flexfield Qualifiers• Segment qualifiers• Parent-Child Relationship and Hierarchy• Segments used with Rollup groups

Features for Security Features : Dynamic Insert Valueset Security Cross validation Rules Shorthand Alias

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Flexfields

Descriptive Flexfields

Descriptive flexfields provide customizable ”expansion space” to capture information which otherwise is not captured by the application.

It lets you satisfy different groups of users without having to reprogram your application.

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Flexfields

Descriptive Flexfields

Descriptive flexfields can be context sensitive, where the information your application stores depends on other values your users enter in other parts of the form.

Each descriptive segment has a name you assign. You can specify valid segment values or set up criteria to validate the entry of any value.

Example : Customer Retail info, Asset info based on asset type.

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Flexfields

Descriptive Flexfield

A Field Made Up of Sub-fields Flexfields appear in a pop-up window on a form. Flexfields are implemented as a set of database

columns, with one column for each segment. The brackets [ ] indicate the presence of a descriptive

flexfield. When the cursor reaches the brackets, the descriptive

flexfield pops open. If the descriptive flexfield is not enabled, the cursor

skips over the brackets.

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Flexfields

Flexfields

Customizing Flexfields• Customizing a flexfield means specifying the prompt,

length and data type of each flexfield segment. • It also includes specifying valid values for each

segment, and the meaning of each value to your application.

• You or your end users can even define cross–validation rules to specify valid combinations of segment values ( in case of Key Flexfields)

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Flexfields

Flexfields

A Flexfield May Have One or More Structures  Both key and descriptive flexfields can have more than one

structure. Standard report submission parameter windows behave as

descriptive flexfield structures. • Each parameter acts as a segment.• Tailor structures for specific end-user needs.

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Flexfields

Flexfields

Multiple Structures• Flexfields lets you define multiple segment structures

for the same flexfield. • Your flexfield can display different prompts and fields

for different end users based on a data condition in your form or application data.

• Most of the features used with your flexfield segments also apply to your parameter window for Standard Request Submission programs.

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Definitions

Segment• For a key flexfield, a segment is a single piece of the

complete entity code ( like item part code)• For a descriptive flexfield, a segment is a single field or a

single attribute of the entity• A segment is represented by a single column in a table.• A segment is a single sub–field within a flexfield.• You define the appearance and meaning of individual

segments when customizing a flexfield.

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Definitions

Combination• For a key flexfield, a combination of segment values that make

up the complete code or key. • You can define valid combinations with simple cross–

validation rules when you customize your key flexfield.

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Definitions

Structure• A flexfield structure is a particular arrangement of flexfield

segments.• The maximum size of the structure depends on the individual

flexfield.• A flexfield may have one or more structures. Both key and

descriptive flexfields can have more than one structure. • Users can tailor structures for specific needs. • If you add or remove segments, or rearrange the order of

segments in a flexfield, you get a different structure.

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Definitions

Values, Validation and Value Sets• Your end user enters a segment value into a segment while

using an application. Generally, the flexfield validates each segment against a set of valid values (a ”value set”) that are usually predefined.

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Definitions

Combinations Table• For a key flexfield, a database table you include in your

application to store valid combinations of key flexfield segment values.

• Each key flexfield must have a combinations table. It contains columns for each flexfield segment, as well as other columns. This is the same table you use as your entity table.

Combinations Form• For a key flexfield, a combinations form is the form whose

base table (or view) is the combinations table. The only purpose of the combinations form is to maintain the combinations table.

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Definitions

Dynamic Insertion• Dynamic insertion is the insertion of a new valid combination

into a key flexfield combinations table from a form other than the combinations form.

• All validation rules still will apply during insertion

Structure Defining Column• A column you include in a combinations table or entity table so

the flexfield can support multiple segment structures.

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Customizing a DFF

Planning a Descriptive flexfield.• The planning phase can be broken into smaller, though still

interrelated, steps:–Decide which flexfields to implement–Learning about a specific flexfield–Planning the structure–Planning the segments–Planning the segment validation–Planning to use additional features–Documenting your plan

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Customizing a Flexfield

Customize the Flexfield’s Appearance• Flexfield title• Number and order of segments• Prompts• Value sets, values, and value descriptions

Use Flexfield Functionality for Validation• Pop-up windows• Individual segment validation• Cross-segment validation

Customize to the Situation• Flexfields allow the application to adjust to fit specific

business needs.• Use multiple structures to match different needs in different

situations.

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Customizing a DFF

Planning the segment validation• For each segment, plan your validation. Consider what types

of values you will be using in your flexfield segments. These decisions affect how you set up your value sets and values.

• Plan for field prompts• Define dependencies among the segments or customize a

descriptive flexfield to display context–sensitive segments, so that different segments or additional pop–up windows appear depending on the values you enter in other fields or segments.

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Different Structures

One Flexfield Captures Different Information

Use different structures for different situations.

Make the flexfield structure depend automatically on the value of another field. This is called using a reference field.

Define the flexfield to allow choosing the structure when entering the flexfield. This is called using a context field.

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Structures Concept

For a descriptive flexfield, a structure consists of any global segments plus all context-sensitive segments for a particular context field value.

Context-sensitive structures are all the segments defined for a context field value.

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Flexfields

Customizing a DFF : Reference field

Planning for Reference Fields• Reference fields are fields from which a descriptive flexfield can

get a context field value (optional, but recommended). • Reference fields must be separate fields Frequently, most of the

existing (non–flexfield) fields in your form can also serve as reference fields.

• They are NOT the structure defining field (typically ATTRIBUTE_CATEGORY is a structure defining field).

• Good reference fields are those that have a short, fairly static list of possible values.

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Flexfields

Customizing a DFF

Planning for Reference Fields• You specify fields as reference fields when you register your

descriptive flexfield in the Register Descriptive Flexfield form. Your users then have the option of using a reference field or not when they set up your flexfield.

• Reference field is just an ordinary field on the form before you choose to use it as a reference field

• Use a reference field on the form to derive a context field value.

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Flexfields

Context field

Determine which context-sensitive structure appears with a context field.

Context Fields is NOT a Segment. The context field has a context field prompt. The response, called a context field value, determines

which group of context-sensitive segments appears next.

Each value for the context field can correspond to a separate context-sensitive structure.

Context fields do not always display. Non-displayed context fields derive values from a default or from a reference field, and the user cannot change the context field value.

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Flexfields

Elect to Hide the Context Field Use a reference field to supply the context field value.

The context field never appears, so that users cannot change the value.

Or, use the reference field as a default but allow users to override. Visible context fields are alterable.

Change the value of the context field without changing the value in the reference field.

Context field

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Flexfields

Customizing DFF

Create different context-sensitive segments to appear only for a particular context field value. Different context field values cause different context-sensitive segments to pop open.

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Flexfields

Global Field

Define global segments that always appear in the descriptive flexfield pop-up window, regardless of context (any other information in the form).

Define global segments before any context-dependentstructures.

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Customizing a DFF

Planning Validations • Choose a Validation Type for Your Value Set. There are

several validation types that affect the way users enter and use segment or parameter values: None (not validated at all) Independent Dependent Table Special (advanced) Pair (advanced) Translatable Independent Translatable Dependent

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Flexfields

Building & Implementing a DFF

There are 4 main steps to implement a DFF.• Define the DFF Database columns in the table

(ATTRIBUTEn VARCHAR2(150)• Define the Structure column ATTRIBUTE_CATEGORY

VARCHAR2(30)• Register the table and its columns with AOL.• Register the DFF and its segments using proper value sets

as per the plan prepared.• Add Flexfields to Forms

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Flexfields

Adding Flexfields to Forms

There are four basic parts to calling a flexfield from an Oracle Forms window. These steps apply to both key and descriptive flexfields.

To code a flexfield into your form :• Create your hidden fields• Create your displayed fields• Create your flexfield definition• Invoke your flexfield definition from several event triggers

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Flexfields

Flexfield Underlying Table

Table have flexfield columns as any other columns defined as per standard suggested by oracle.

Attribute columns are built in by the developer. Their number cannot increase.

Use only as many segments as the table has available columns (for a single flexfield structure that contains both global and context-sensitive segments).

Most columns called Attribute#. ( 1 to 15) Attribute_category is used as structure column and stores the

context value. Global segments use the same column in all flexfield

structures.Context-sensitive segments use a column only for that particularstructure.

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DF Table Definition

Context-sensitive Segments Can Reuse Columns

 Since context-sensitive segments only use columns for their particular structure, two segments in different context-sensitive structures can share the same column.

Defining global segments first prevents wastefully using all columns for context-sensitive segments.

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View Generation

A view is generated by AOL to allow access data based on the descriptive flexfield definition

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Customizing a DFF options

Use a combination of these features to create a descriptive flexfield.

 What Kind of Segments  Create global segments ? Create context-sensitive segments ? A context field that the user sees (override allowed

Yes) ? How to choose which context-sensitive segments

appear/populate the context field ? Choose which context-sensitive segments appear by

using a reference field ? Specify a default context field value ? (to choose which

context-sensitive segments appear by default)

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Flexfields

Validating Input Using Value Sets

__ Item Information _________

Category

Item

Computer

Monitor

COM

876

COM APPL FURN

Category value set

Item value set

876755 933

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Flexfields

None Validation is minimal

Independent Input must exist on previously defined list of values.

Dependent Input is checked against a subset of values based on a prior value.

Table Input is checked against values in an

application table.

Special Value set uses a flexfield itself.

Types of Value Sets

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Flexfields

Pair Two flexfields together specify a range of valid values.

Translatable Independent Input must exist on previously defined list of values; translated

value can be used.

Translatable Dependent Input is checked against a subset of values based on a prior

value; translated value can be used.

Types of Value Sets

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Flexfields

Validation Type None

Values are checked for expected data type,length, and so on.

Values are not checked against an approved values list.

Examples include credit card number, street address, phone number.

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Flexfields

Independent Value Sets

__ Item Information _________

Category

Item

Computer

Monitor

COM

876

COM APPL FURN

Category value set

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Flexfields

Dependent Value SetsCategory value set Item value set

COM Computer

APPL Appliances

FURN Furniture

755 Modem

876 Monitor

933 Printer

320 Microwave

560 Refrigerator

876 Washer

877 Desk

154 Table

677 Bunk Bed

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Flexfields

Table-Validated Value Sets

WHERE REGION = ‘Western’

Cities_West value set

Customer table

Acme ComputersNorth Bay FoodsMidwest GrainSouthern MillingRockies Mining

San JoseBostonChicagoCharlestonDenver

WesternEasternEasternSouthernWestern

Name CityRegion

San Jose Denver

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Value Sets

Value Set Options

Set Options Format Type Validation Type

Name Format Type Independent

Description Maximum Length Dependent

Security Available Precision None

LongList Enabled ? Alphabetic Characters? Table

Uppercase Only? Special

Right-justify Zero-fillNumbers?

Pair

Minimum Value

Maximum Value

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Flexfields

Validation Types: Summary

**Application Object Library

Type List of ValuesAvailable

Values Stored In

None

Table

Special/Pair

N/A

Depends on value set

No

Independent

Dependent

AOL* Table

AOL* Table

Yes

Yes

Yes Application Table

TranslatableIndependent

TranslatableDependent

AOL* TableYes

AOL* TableYes

Depends on value set

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Flexfields

Predefined Value Sets Choosing a predefined value set limits the necessary

maintenance of values.

Most predefined value sets are table-validated value sets.

A useful value set is Yes_No, containing the values Yes and No.

Never alter value sets provided by Oracle Applications, especially the SRS value set.

Steps in defining Valueset

Valueset Type: None

Valueset Type: Independent

Valueset Type: Dependent

Valueset Type: Table

Valueset Type: Table

Values for Independent Valueset

Values for Independent Valueset

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Setting Up Flexfields

Demo of Keyflexfield enabling & customization Demo of DFF enabling & customization Demo of ValueSet creation