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About Multi-Value Links

The Multi Value Link object type is a child object type of the Business Component object type. A multi-value link implements an multi-value group, a list of records attached to a control or list column in an applet.

The relationship between the business component of the originating applet and the business component of the multi-value group applet is one-to-many; that is, a master-detail relationship. This master-detail relationship, as with all master-detail relationships in Siebel applications, is implemented through a Link object (in addition to other object types). However, a multi-value link is also necessary to adapt a link for multi-value group applet use.

NOTE:  The relationship between the two business components is one-to-many in the context of the multi-value link and multi-value group. There may be, in fact, a many-to-many relationship (for example, between opportunities and positions), but in the context of the multi-value group, only one master-detail relationship is presented.

An example of a a multi-value group applet is shown in Figure 42.

Figure 42.  Multi-Value Group Applet Example

An account can have multiple addresses. These are stored in the Business Address business component. Clicking the Select button to the right of the Address field opens the Account Address dialog box. This dialog box lists the addresses, including the street address, city, state, and ZIP Code associated with each account. It also allows a user to add, delete, or modify individual records.

In the Account Form Applet, the Address, City, State, ZIP and Country text boxes display the values from the corresponding fields in the primary record in the Business Address business component. The primary record is indicated in the multi-value group applet with a check mark in the list column labeled Primary. You can select a different primary record by clicking the Primary list column in a different record.

The fields in the master business component (Account in the illustration) that are populated by the primary record in the multi-value group business component are called multi-value fields.

NOTE:  If you want to query the originating applet for all master records that have a detail record with a specific field value you can only use multi-value fields.

Multi-value fields are populated with data from a record in the detail business component because of the multi-value link. Multi Value Link is a child object type of Business Component that defines a master-detail relationship (based on a link) to embed in the business component. These embedded master-detail relationships are used to expose fields from the detail business component as fields directly in the master business component.

NOTE:  Most, but not all, multi-value links are set up to designate a primary record. Those that do not designate a primary use the first record retrieved from the detail business component. For more information, see Configuring the Primary ID Field.