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Overview of Shorthand Flexfield Entry

Shorthand flexfield entry lets you enter key flexfield data quickly by using shorthand aliases to represent valid flexfield combinations or patterns of valid segment values. A shorthand alias is a word or code that represents a complete or partial key flexfield combination.

Shorthand flexfield entry helps you satisfy the following data entry needs:

You can define a shorthand flexfield entry pop-up window (the shorthand window) for any key flexfield. You specify a name and size for each shorthand window.

You define the complete or partial set of key flexfield segment values (the template) that each shorthand alias represents. These values can be valid flexfield combinations or different patterns of valid segment values. For example, if the flexfield consists of six segments, you can define a shorthand alias to represent a partial combination where four of the six segments contain valid values for those segments. The other two segments remain blank. When you enter this alias at the shorthand window prompt, you only need to enter values for two segments manually, and shorthand flexfield entry enters the other four for you automatically. Or, you can define an alias to represent a valid flexfield combination, where all six segments contain valid values and meet any appropriate flexfield cross-validation rules. For this shorthand alias, you would not have to enter any segment values manually.

For each key flexfield structure, you can define as many shorthand aliases as you need. If you make changes to your shorthand aliases, your changes take effect immediately for both you and other users.

If Shorthand Flexfield Entry is enabled and the Flexfields:Shorthand Entry profile option is set to an appropriate value, the shorthand window allows you to enter an alias before the flexfield window opens. The combination or partial combination you defined for your alias is entered into your flexfield window.

Validation of alias values

You cannot enter invalid values into a single segment of a shorthand alias, but the Shorthand Aliases window does not identify invalid combinations of segment values in an alias. If you define aliases that contain values that become invalid later, your flexfield detects these invalid values at the time you use your alias in your flexfield window. Your flexfield then does not allow you to enter the invalid values. Your flexfield also checks your alias against your security and cross-validation rules when you use your alias to enter data in your flexfield window.

Note that if the alias contains a value that you are restricted from using (by flexfield value security), that value disappears immediately and you must enter a different value in that segment.

After you enter an alias that represents a complete flexfield combination, the flexfield validates your combination using the criteria you define in the Cross-Validation Rules window. See: Cross-Validation Rules Window.

Changing your key flexfield structure after defining aliases

If you change your key flexfield structure after you define your aliases, you must change your existing aliases to match your new structure. Changes that make your existing aliases invalid include:

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