Entering Data Directly in a Key Flexfield
To enter a known combination into a key flexfield:
1. Move your cursor into the key flexfield.
2. If you know the exact combination of segment values you want, enter the concatenated combination directly into the key flexfield as shown in Figure 1 - 48.
To display a list of existing combinations:
1. Move your cursor into the key flexfield.
2. Choose List of Values... from the Edit menu to open the Flexfield window.
3. Choose the Existing Combinations icon in the flexfield window to display the existing combinations.
If there are several combinations you may be asked to enter values for the segments to shorten the list. To see all combinations enter '%' in one of the segment fields and choose OK.
To display a reduced list of existing combinations:
1. Move your cursor into the key flexfield.
2. Enter segment values directly into the key flexfield. To specify search criteria for a segment or part of a segment, use wildcards or query operators.
You can use wildcard characters or query operators to enter inexact concatenated combinations, also known as search phrases, directly into a key flexfield. See: Using Query Operators.
Attention: When you enter a search phrase for a segment directly into a key flexfield, the search phrase length should not exceed the actual segment length. For example, if a segment is two characters long, you should only enter a two character search phrase. You can only use the query operators <, >, and =. You cannot use <=, >=, <>, !=, or #BETWEEN in this case because these operators are already two or more characters long, and are meaningless as search phrases when used alone.
Note, however, that if you enter a search phrase in a key flexfield window, you do not have to limit the length of the search phrase to the segment length.
Also note that if the segments are character fields rather than numeric, the search may not bring up the expected values. See: Using Query Operators.
Similarly, if you enter a partial phrase directly into a key flexfield, and that phrase pertains only to the third segment, make sure you include the appropriate wildcards and segment separator in the phrase. For example if you want to specify a partial phrase where the third segment is 410 and all other segments are unknown, you enter %.%.410, assuming the key flexfield uses a period (.) as a segment separator. Notice that even if the flexfield has more than three segments, the remaining segments are assumed to have % when the combinations list appears.
3. Press [Tab] to bring up a reduced list of values matching your specified search criteria.
Note: If you enter an invalid value for one or more segments, the Reduction Criteria for Long List window is displayed with your search criteria filled in. The first invalid value is highlighted allowing you to enter a different value or use LOV for a list of valid values. Once a valid value is entered the next invalid value is highlighted, and so on until all values are valid.
If you enter a valid search phrase but which matches no values, the Reduction Criteria for Long List window is displayed with your search criteria filled in. You can then edit the search criteria directly in the flexfield Reduction Criteria window. See: Data Entry in a Key Flexfield Window.
If you enter a partial valid combination without wildcard characters directly in a multi-segment key flexfield, the Flexfield Edit window appears with your partial combination filled in. You can then use this window to fill in the rest of the segments. See: Data Entry in a Key Flexfield Window.
In a single segment key flexfield, you cannot enter partial values without wildcard or query operators. If you enter an incomplete value, a message will appear telling you to enter a value that is defined.
Single Segment Key Flexfields and Longlist
Single segment key flexfields behavior changes from the multi-segment case if the flexfield definition for the single segment key flexfield has the Longlist argument. The Longlist argument for a flexfield definition can indicate that the flexfield does not have a very large number of valid values. If so, and the flexfield does not allow dynamic insert then when you choose List of Values a window with a list of valid values appears like in non-flexfield fields (you do not have to go through the key flexfield Reduction Criteria window). You can then choose a valid value from the list and the value appears in the flexfield. See: Longlist.
