Developing and Deploying Siebel eBusiness Applications > Getting Started at the User Interface Layer > Configuring NREC's Activity Applets >

Exposing Fields in the User Interface


NREC's partner agents must be able to associate an Opportunity record with an Activity record. However, the Activity List Applet and the Activity Detail Applet do not include the Opportunity field by default. Although the field doesn't appear by default, you can reconfigure the applets to display it. The Opportunity field is already defined on the underlying business component—the Action business component—so all that is required is to expose the field in the user interface.

The tasks for exposing the opportunity field in the user interface differ slightly for a list applet and form applet.

After list column or control objects are defined, the objects are mapped to place holders in Web templates.

See Siebel Tools Reference for detailed information about configuring applets.

Adding the Opportunity Field to the Activity List Applet (SCW)

On list applets, fields are defined as List Column object types. For the Activity List Applet (SCW) you need to define the Opportunity field as a List Column before mapping it to a Web template.

To define a list column object for a list applet

  1. In the Object Explorer, expand the Applet object type.
  2. In the Object List Editor, find and select the Activity List Applet (SCW).
  3. If the project is not locked, do the following:
    1. Choose Tools > Lock Project.
    2. Change the Project property from Activity (SCW) to NREC Configuration.
  4. In the Object Explorer, expand the List object type (a child object of Applet).
  5. Expand the List object type, and then select the List Column object type (a child object of List).
  6. The List Columns window appears in the Object List Editor.

  7. In the List Columns window, add a new record using the following properties:
  8. Property
    Value
    Description
    Field
    Opportunity
    The values available from the drop-down list are the fields defined on the parent business component of the Applet (in this case, the Action business component).
    Display Name
    Opportunity
    Text that appears in the user interface.
    Runtime
    TRUE
    When the property is set to TRUE, the system makes a run-time check to see if a picklist, calculator, calendar, or MVG pop-up button will be provided.

Adding the Opportunity Field to a Activity Detail Applet (SCW)

For form applets, fields are defined as Control object types. For the Activity Detail Applet (SCW) you will define the Opportunity field as a control before mapping it to a Web template.

To add a control object to a form applet

  1. In the Object Explorer, expand the Applet object type.
  2. In the Object List Editor, find and select the Activity Detail Applet (SCW).
  3. In the Object Explorer, select the Control object type (child of Applet).
  4. In the Controls window of the Object List Editor, add a new record with the following properties:
  5. Property
    Value
    Description
    Name
    Opportunity
    Unique name of the control object.
    Caption
    Opportunity
    Text that appears in the user interface.
    Field
    Opportunity
    Field defined on the parent business component. In this case, the parent business component is Action.
    HTML Type
    Field
    HTML Control Type.

Mapping List Columns or Controls to Web Templates

After you have defined the list column and control object types for the applets, you are ready to map them to place holders in a Web template. You do this using the Web Layout Editor. The process for mapping list columns or controls to Web templates is the same for both list applets and form applets.

NOTE:  It is also possible to create controls while working in the Web Layout Editor. To do this you drag a control type from the toolbar, drop it onto the template, and then define the necessary properties. This method is an alternative to defining the controls in the Object List Editor as described in the previous section.

The following procedure uses the Opportunities list column on Activity List Applet (SCW) as an example. Note that NREC's design would require that you follow the same procedure for mapping the Opportunity control to the Web templates for the Activity Detail Applet (SCW) as well. For both applets, you must map the control to the Web templates for each applet mode.

To map fields (controls and list columns) from an applet to a Web template

  1. In the Object Explorer, select the Applet object type.
  2. In the Object List Editor, select the Activity List Applet (SCW).
  3. Right-click and choose Edit Web Layout.
  4. The Web Layout Editor appears with the applet displayed in base mode.

  5. Make room for the Opportunity field by rearranging the controls that are already mapped to the Web template.
  6. You can move controls by dragging and dropping them or by using the Shift to Previous Placeholder and Shift to Next Placeholder buttons on the toolbar.

  7. From the Controls/Columns window, drag the Opportunity list column and drop it into an empty place holder in the web template.
  8. NOTE:  If the Controls/Columns window is not open, choose View > Windows > Controls.

  9. Right-click and then choose Preview to see a how the applet will look rendered in the user interface.
  10. Click for full size image

    NOTE:  You can also export the preview to an HTML file by choosing File > Export, and then choosing a file name and location in the Save As dialog.

  11. Make adjustments as necessary.
  12. Choose File > Save.
  13. Repeat the procedure for each of the mode of the Activity List Applet (SCW) and the Activity Form Applet (SCW).
  14. You can switch applet modes using the Mode drop-down list in the Configuration Context Toolbar.


 Developing and Deploying Siebel eBusiness Applications 
 Published: 18 April 2003