Understanding the Elements of SmartNavigation PagesWhile the appearance of SmartNavigation pages is unlike the standard PeopleSoft application page, the process and the definitions that you use to create both are the same. Field, record, page, and component definitions comprise SmartNavigation pages, just as those definitions comprise standard application pages. The primary difference is that you use a specific subset of definitions and a specific configuration for all SmartNavigation pages because of the manner in which the processing logic renders the chart and populates it with data.
This chapter provides an overview of the elements of SmartNavigation pages.
Understanding the Elements of SmartNavigation PagesThe standard PeopleTools SmartNavigation component, PT_ABN_ORGCHART, is the template for all SmartNavigation pages. It contains specific, purposefully ordered page and record definitions that work in conjunction with the processing logic of PeopleSoft applications. The definitions that comprise the delivered component serve as the foundation not only of the default SmartNavigation page, but also of any SmartNavigation page that you create for your own purposes.
Because the processing logic expects SmartNavigation pages to have a specific component processing structure, you should copy the existing definitions, modify the copied definitions, and add functionality to the page with fields, page controls, and PeopleCode that accommodate the following technical requirements in addition to your business rules.
You should create a new definition for SmartNavigation pages according to the following process:
Clone the PT_ABNORGND_SBR, PT_ABNURL_SBR, PT_ABNNDDTL_SBR and PTORGBOXFLD_SBR subrecords and the accompanying PeopleCode.
The PT_ABNORGND_SBR subrecord contains the fields and PeopleCode that populate the nodes with the correct detail information and application data as your users navigate the SmartNavigation page.
Modify your record PeopleCode as necessary to reference your definitions; use the record PeopleCode in the PT_ABNORGND_SBR subrecord as the model for any PeopleCode that you use in your record definition.
Clone the PT_ABN_CHART_ND record definition and its accompanying PeopleCode.
Remove the original subrecords and insert the clones of the PT_ABNORGND_SBR, PT_ABNURL_SBR, PT_ABNNDDTL_SBR and PTORGBOXFLD_SBR subrecords in that order.
Modify your record PeopleCode as necessary to reference your definitions; use the record PeopleCode in the PT_ABNORGND_SBR subrecord definition as the model for any PeopleCode that you use in your record definition.
If you need to add new fields, add them to the bottom of the field list.
Important! Do not add fields to the required subrecords or place fields between these subrecords when you create your record definition.
Clone the PT_ABN_ORGCHART page definition and its accompanying PeopleCode.
This page contains the fields and PeopleCode that define the chart on the SmartNavigation page.
Modify the page field controls so that they reference the cloned record definition that you created in Step 3.
Modify your page PeopleCode as necessary to reference your definitions; use the page PeopleCode in the PT_ABN_ORGCHART page definition as the model for any PeopleCode that you use in your page definition.
Select the Order tab and verify that the order and levels of the page fields are identical to the order and levels of the page fields in the default PT_ABN_ORGCHART page definition.
Add new page fields to the bottom of the page definition and make sure that they appear last in the page field order.
Clone the PT_ABN_ORGCHART component definition and its accompanying PeopleCode.
Remove the existing page and insert the page you cloned in Step 7.
Modify your component PeopleCode as necessary to reference your definitions; use the component PeopleCode in the PT_ABN_ORGCHART component definition as the model for any PeopleCode that you use in your component definition.
In the browser, configure your SmartNavigation folder to use your new SmartNavigation page.
Deselect the Default Chart Navigation Page check box and enter the name of your SmartNavigation page in the Folder Navigation Object Name field.
This table provides references to resources where you can find details that are specific to each step in the process:
|
Step |
PeopleBook Reference |
|
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 |
See Creating Record Definitions, Inserting Subrecords Into Records, Editing PeopleCode in Subrecords. |
|
7, 8, 9, 10, 11 |
See Cloning Page Definitions, Adding Page Controls, Setting Record Properties, Changing Control Order Using the Order Tab, Accessing PeopleCode in Page Definitions. |
|
12, 13, 14 |
|
|
15, 16 |