This chapter contains the following topics:
Smart fields are data dictionary items with one or more business functions attached. Smart fields enable you to include complex, reusable calculations in detail sections of a report. You can edit the event rules that are generated by smart fields using Event Rules Design. Smart fields are used in Oracle's JD Edwards EnterpriseOne Report Design Aid (RDA) and are not currently available for use in any other of Oracle's JD Edwards EnterpriseOne tools.
Smart fields are organized in smart field templates. Each smart field template is associated with a particular business view. All smart fields in a template use the same business view columns for data selection. Because smart fields are grouped in smart field templates, you must attach a smart field template to a detail section before smart fields are available for the section layout.
If you attach a smart field template to a section and the section uses a different business view from the one that is required by the smart field, the system provides you with the opportunity to change the business view.
Important:
If the business view that is attached to the detail section is not the same as the business view that is required by the smart field, then the smart field that you add to the section might not function correctly.This section provides an overview of smart field columns, lists the prerequisites, and discusses how to:
Select smart field templates in existing reports.
Insert and delete smart fields.
You define smart field data dictionary items as glossary group K. Smart fields are designed to retrieve and manipulate specific JD Edwards EnterpriseOne table data. For example, you add the FINRPTAB - Account Balance smart field, which is located in the S09001 - Financial Reporting smart field template, to a report. The smart field creates a column that calculates the account balance as of the specified financial period and fiscal year.
Smart fields mask the creation of event rules that call business functions. Business functions are programs that use data structures to perform functions including, but not limited to:
Requesting specific data from JD Edwards EnterpriseOne tables.
Returning data to the established parameters in the data structure.
Performing some type of calculation or other manipulation on the data.
Returning the desired information, such as column headings and complex calculations, to the report.
Smart fields are associated with smart field templates. Using smart field templates, you can include complex logic in the report without having to do any programming.
Smart field templates are attached to Report Director templates. When you create a new report template, you can select a Report Director template from the Application Reports drop-down list box on the welcome form of the Director.
When you insert a smart field into an existing report, a director guides you through a linear process to set up the smart field parameters and values. The option to insert smart field columns is unavailable for input if no smart field template is associated with the report section.
When you select a smart field, the event to which the associated logic is written is predefined. The section type in which the smart field can be used is also predefined. If a Director Template does not exist for the section type in which you are working, the smart field option is not available from the Create menu.
See Also:
Before you use smart fields in reports, ensure that you:
Create a batch application object.
Complete the design of the report template.
Open a report template in RDA.
From the View menu, select User Options.
On the User Options form, select the Allow Smart Field Template Selection option, and click OK.
Double-click the detail section of the report to which you want to add smart fields.
On the appropriate section properties form, select the General tab.
Select a smart field template from the Smart Field Template field, and click OK.
Only smart fields that are defined for the section type that you selected appear.
Note:
If the business view that is attached to the section that you selected is not the same as the business view that is required by the smart field template, then the smart fields that you add to the section will not function correctly.Open a report template with a smart field template attached in RDA.
Click the detail section in which you want to insert a smart field.
Perform one of the following actions:
On the Create New Smart Field form, select a smart field.
The smart field director guides you through the process of setting up the smart field.
To move the column, drag it to the new location.
To delete the column, click it and select Delete from the Edit menu.