An LOV is a scrollable popup window that provides the end user with either a single or multi-column selection List.
LOVs provide the following functionality:
At runtime, Oracle Forms displays the <LIST> lamp on the status line whenever an LOV is available. Once invoked, either programmatically or by end user request, an LOV appears in a modal window, allowing the end user to select a single value.
An LOV remains displayed until the end user dismisses it by either selecting a value or choosing Cancel.
End users cannot work in other windows when an LOV is displayed. End users can move and resize LOVs if the runtime window manager supports doing so.
End users can use the LOV auto-reduction and search features to locate a value in a List.
To use auto-reduction, end users type the desired entry directly in the List pane of the LOV window. As each character is entered, Oracle Forms reduces the List to only those values that match the string being entered. Pressing [Delete Backwards] expands the reduced List of choices. Auto-reduction works by comparing the string entered by the end user with the values in the first column displayed in the LOV.
If the LOV to be displayed contains a long List of possible values, the LOV window will display with only the column titles (and no values) displayed. Once the user enters a reduction string into the Find field and a query is performed on this reduction string, the resulting LOV values will be displayed beneath the column titles. The LOV will then resume its normal appearance and behavior, and the end user can select a value from the List or further reduce it by expanding the reduction string.
End users can use the search feature to locate a match for a specific text string and to do wildcard searches. To use the search feature, the end user moves to the LOV's Find field and enters the search criteria string, then chooses the Find button to execute the search. Oracle Forms shortens the List to those choices whose first column values match the end user's search criteria. Note that if the end user precedes the search criteria with a "%" symbol, Oracle Forms will perform a search on all LOV columns.
End users can press the TAB key to move between the LOV List pane and the Find field.
Note: The LOVs in the Oracle Forms interface have the same auto-reduction and searching functionality as the LOVs you create for your own applications.