Configuring Attachments

To configure attachments, use the Define Authorization (HR_ATT_AUTH), Define Authorization Entries (HR_ATT_AUTH_ENT), Define Attachments (HR_ATT_CNFG), Configure Keys (HR_ATT_KEYS_DFN), and Maintain Definitions (HR_ATT_DEFN) components.

These topics provide an overview of attachments and discuss how to configure attachments.

Page Name

Definition Name

Usage

Define Authorization Page

HR_ATT_AUTH

Enter and maintain attachment authorization IDs which specify the level of user access for attachments.

Define Authorization Entries Page

HR_ATT_AUTH_ENT

Associate attachment authorizations with user roles.

Define Attachments Page

HR_ATT_CNFG

Associate attachments and their authorizations and create links on the page displayed in the target application.

Configure Keys Page

HR_ATT_KEYS_HDR

Define the prompt tables and key fields used by an application.

Attachments Context Keys Page

HR_ATT_KEYS_C

Enter content key prompt values.

Attachments Store Keys Page

HR_ATT_KEYS_S

Enter store key values.

Maintain Definitions Page

HR_ATT_DEFN

Specify the attachment types available to an application. The context keys that appear on this page are determined by the Configure Keys component and are used to retrieve a list of valid Configuration IDs.

The attachment feature enables you to attach files, notes, and URLs to a PeopleSoft application. An administrator can add URLs, common notes, and files to a component or page and enable others to view, download and edit the attachments. Attachments include notes, PDF files, spreadsheet files, document files, URLs, and so on. You can also define the types of attachments that users can add to a specific row of application data, such as medical or adoption certificates, fitness for duty forms, and so on.

Although the types of attachments you can add to a page are essentially unlimited, attachments are categorized as one of the following:

  • Attachments are any previously created electronic file that the administrator wants users to be able to download.

  • URLs are links to dynamic files or web sites.

  • Notes are free-form text that the user can enter through the attachment page in the PeopleSoft application.

Note: Only attachments and URLS are defined on the Define Attachments page. Notes are created by the user through the attachment pages of the PeopleSoft application.

Note: The Define Attachments page enables an administrator to create document definitions, as well as attachments and URLs. Document definitions are types of files that users can upload to the system. For example various medical certificates or evidence of class completion.

Since many uploaded attachments should not be visible to all users, the system enables an administrator to restrict access to the attachments. The administrator uses roles to define who can add, modify or delete their own attachments for a specific row of application data.

Adding Attachments to Applications Process Flow

Here are the steps for defining attachments to use in PeopleSoft applications:

  1. Define attachment Authorization IDs

    Specify the authorization level access required to edit or view attachments.

  2. Define Authorization Entry IDs

    For each attachment you plan to establish, specify the attachment object type, Attachment, Note, or URL, and the user roles that can access the attachment. Specify the access level of each user role by assigning an Authorization ID to the role.

  3. Define attachment configuration IDs

    Add common attachments, URLs, or document definitions and the roles that can see the attachments.

  4. Configure keys

    Integrate attachments into any application within any context. After defining the attachments, you can integrate them into any PeopleSoft application and the context varies depending on the product that uses the framework. The Configure Keys page enables you to define which application data field maps to each of the required context keys.

    1. Configure context keys

      Context keys are populated with values corresponding to a field in the associated application. To define the contextual variations, define contextual key prompt tables or views and key prompt fields based on the application using the attachment framework. These keys can come from any number of tables and are implemented as generic character fields that are defined as record keys in the data structure at the application level to denote alternate configuration IDs that can be used under different circumstances.

    2. Configure store keys

      For attachment configuration IDs that are document definitions, you must create a store record to launch the document definition and store the attachments added by a user to a specific row of application data.

      Define store keys for document definitions in order to differentiate the row of data to which the attachment belongs. Each application can decide the number of keys to use, from 1 to N, creating its own record plus a sub record in Application Designer to store common fields related to the attachments. Once the store record has been created, it must be associated to the Object Owner ID and Sub ID to automatically retrieve the key field definitions and select the store key labels.

      After creating the store record, associate it to the Object Owner ID and Attachment Sub ID and then select the field labels. When you enter the name of the store record definition, the key fields are automatically retrieved in the correct order by the key position defined in the record.

  5. Maintain definitions

    The system retrieves a list of valid Configuration IDs based on the defined context keys. In addition, the system uses the Definition ID and the effective date to choose the attachment from the database.

  6. Implement the attachment framework

    To implement the attachment framework use the application class methods in the HR_ATTACHMENTS application package PeopleSoft delivers. There are two classes in the delivered application package. The Attachment_Data application class enables you to create an object containing entries for all of the link labels, configuration IDs and group boxes that contain the links to the defined attachments. The Attachment_UI application class enables you to manage the user interface for the attachments.

See PeopleTools: PeopleCode Developer's Guide and PeopleTools: PeopleCode API Reference.

Use the Define Authorization page (HR_ATT_AUTH) to enter and maintain attachment authorization IDs which specify the level of user access for attachments.

Navigation

Set Up HCM > Common Definitions > Attachments > Define Authorization > Define Authorization

Image: Define Authorization page

This example illustrates the fields and controls on the Define Authorization page. You can find definitions for the fields and controls later on this page.

Define Authorization page

Authorization Options

Field or Control

Definition
Edit Attachments

Select the check box to enable the user to create, update, or delete attachments. The system automatically selects the View Attachmentscheck box when you select the Edit Attachments check box and save the page.
View Attachments

Select to enable users to view attachments.
Edit Notes

Select the check box to enable the user to create, update, or delete notes. The system automatically selects the View Notescheck box when you select the Edit Notes check box and save the page.
View Notes

Select to enable users to view notes.
Edit URLs

Select the check box to enable the user to create, update, or delete URLs. The system automatically selects the View URLscheck box when you select the Edit URLs check box and save the page.
View URLs

Select to enable users to view URLs.

Delete Options

Select an option to determine the action of the system when the user deletes a existing attachment, note, or URL. Selecting Mark as Deleted, the system still lists the object as an attachment, but the object's status is Deleted and it cannot be selected. This option enables you to track deleted attachments. Selecting Delete from database completely removes the object from the database.

Note: The options in this group box are not available unless one or more of the editing fields, Edit Attachments, Edit Notes, or Edit URLs,are selected.

Use the Define Authorization Entries page (HR_ATT_AUTH_ENT) to associate attachment authorizations with user roles.

Navigation

Set Up HCM > Common Definitions > Attachments > Define Authorization Entries > Define Authorization Entries

Image: Define Authorization Entries page

This example illustrates the fields and controls on the Define Authorization Entries page. You can find definitions for the fields and controls later on this page.

Define Authorization Entries page

Field or Control

Definition
Attachments, Notes, and URLs

Select to allow the Role Names listed in the Define Authorization area to create attachments, notes, or URLs based on the specified Authorization ID. You must select at least one of the options in the Entry Control region.

Define Authorization

Use the fields in the Define Authorization region to specify the operations a role can perform by associating a role with an attachment Authorization ID. Select the Role Name and then select a valid Authorization ID in each row. Only one Authorization ID can be assigned to each role, but multiple roles can share the same Authorization ID.

Use the Define Attachments page (HR_ATT_CNFG) to associate attachments and their authorizations and create links on the page displayed in the target application.

Navigation

Set Up HCM > Common Definitions > Attachments > Define Attachments > Define Attachments

Image: Define Attachments page

This example illustrates the fields and controls on the Define Attachments page. You can find definitions for the fields and controls later on this page.

Define Attachments page

Field or Control

Definition
Description

Enter a description for the Configuration ID. This description appears in the group boxes as a label for the link to the attachment.
Attachment Type

Select the type of attachment users can attach or access. Values are: URL, Attachment, and Document Definition. Based on your selection, the remainder of the fields on the page change.

Select either Attachment or URL if you want to define common attachments or URLs such as policies, handbooks, FAQs, and so on. Select Document Definition if you want to create an entry that enables users to create their own attachments for a specific row of application data.
Attachment

Enter the file name of the attachment and then click the Add Attachment button. After uploading the file, this field displays the file name of the attachment. You can then use the View Attachment and Delete Attachment buttons to manage the content of the attachment. This field is visible only if the Attachment Type is Attachment.
URL

Enter the desired URL to attach as a link. This field is visible only if the Attachment Type is URL.
Add Attachment

Click to add the file listed in the Attachment field. This button is visible only if the Attachment Type is Attachment and a file has not yet been uploaded.
View Attachment and Delete Attachment

Use these buttons to manage the content of the file listed in the Attachment field. These buttons are visible only if the Attachment Type is Attachment and a file has been uploaded.

Authorized Roles

Enter the roles that you want to have access to the attachment or URL. If no role is selected, all of the available roles can see the link. This region is only visible if the Attachment Type is Attachment or URL.

Field or Control

Definition
Role Name

Select the role that you want to access the specified attachment.

Document Definitions

Enter the list of defined authorization entries that the user can upload as an attachment. The Document Definitions region is visible only if the Attachment Type is Document Definition

Field or Control

Definition
Entry ID

Select the authorization entry that you want users to upload to the system. The system lists the Authorization Entry IDs defined on the Define Authorization Entries page.
Last Upd User (Last Updated User)

Displays the user name that last updated the Define Attachments page.
Updated on

Displays the date the Define Attachments page was last updated.

Use the Configure Keys page (HR_ATT_KEYS_HDR) to define the prompt tables and key fields used by an application.

Navigation

Set Up HCM > Common Definitions > Attachments > Configure Keys > Configure Keys

Image: Configure Keys page

This example illustrates the fields and controls on the Configure Keys page. You can find definitions for the fields and controls later on this page.

Configure Keys page

Field or Control

Definition
Object Owner ID

Enter the application in which a common component is used.
Sub ID(Sub application ID)

Enter a sub-application ID. Use the Sub ID field to create a definition for multiple lines of features within a single product line.
Context Keys

Click to open the Attachments Context Keys page.
Store Keys

Click to open the Attachments Store Keys page.

Use the Attachments Context Keys page (HR_ATT_KEYS_C) to enter content key prompt values.

Navigation

Click the Context Keys link on the Configure Keys page

Image: Attachments Context Keys page

This example illustrates the fields and controls on the Attachments Context Keys page. You can find definitions for the fields and controls later on this page.

Attachments Context Keys page

Field or Control

Definition
Sequence

Specify the order of the context keys on the Maintain Definitions page.
Key Prompt Table

Select the object name of the prompt table that defines the values by which attachments are partitioned for a an application.
Key Prompt Field

Select the prompt table field that contains the value in the prompt list for a specified key.
Field Label Key

Select the label in the prompt table.

Related Fields

Click the Related Fields tab to select the fields related to the key prompt table and key prompt field by row.

Use the Attachments Store Keys page (HR_ATT_KEYS_S) to enter store key values.

Navigation

Click the Store Keys link on the Configure Keys page

Image: Attachments Store Keys

This example illustrates the fields and controls on the Attachments Store Keys. You can find definitions for the fields and controls later on this page.

Attachments Store Keys page

Field or Control

Definition
Hide Key

Select to indicate whether the key is displayed on the Document Definition page.
Display on Grid

Select to indicate whether the key field is displayed on the Document Definition Header page

Use the Maintain Definitions page (HR_ATT_DEFN) to specify the attachment types available to an application.

The context keys that appear on this page are determined by the Configure Keys component and are used to retrieve a list of valid Configuration IDs.

Navigation

Set Up HCM > Common Definitions > Attachments > Maintain Definitions > Maintain Definitions

Image: Maintain Definitions page

This example illustrates the fields and controls on the Maintain Definitions page. You can find definitions for the fields and controls later on this page.

Maintain Definitions page

Field or Control

Definition
Key Field

Displays the list of context keys specified on the Attachments Context Keys page.
Key Value, Key Date, and Key Number

Select a valid value for the specified key field. The available field depends upon the Key Field type. For example, Cycle ID is a CHAR type field, so the Key Value field is available and the Key Date and Key Number fields do not allow you to enter data. The Budget Period Start Date is a DATE type field, which means the Key Datefield is available and the Key Value and Key Number fields do not allow you to enter data. None of these fields are available when the All Values check box is selected.
All Values

Select to specify that any value for the specified key field is valid. Selecting this field makes the Key Value field unavailable.

Attachments

Field or Control

Definition
Configuration ID

Select a valid configuration ID. Only active attachment configuration IDs are displayed.
Sequence

Enter a number to specify the order in which the hyperlinks to attachments are retrieved from the database.
Group Box

Select the group box where the hyperlink label is displayed. Values are: Related Links, Other Links, and None.

Note: The context keys are not displayed the first time you open the Maintain Definitions page. You must enter the Sequence Number and then the context keys automatically display.

Implement the attachment framework using the application class methods in the HR_ATTACHMENTS application package PeopleSoft delivers. There are two classes in the delivered application package. The Attachment_Data application class enables you to create an object containing entries for all of the link labels, configuration IDs and group boxes that contain the links to the defined attachments. The Attachment_UI application class enables you to manage the user interface for the attachments.

Attachment_Data Application Class GetAttachmentLink Method

The GetAttachmentLink method uses the effective date and the context keys array to retrieve the configuration IDs from the database. Then these entries are loaded into a standalone rowset for further filtering by role name.

The GetAttachmentLink method accepts these parameters:

Input Parameter

Description

&EffDt

Specify the effective date as a date.

&Ckeys

Specify the context key values as an array of strings. The values must be in the same order as defined on the Context Key page.

%UserID

(Optional) Use the system variable to specify the current user.

%Component

(Optional) Use the system variable to specify the component invoking the attachment framework.

&Roles

(Optional) Specify the roles as an array of strings.

The method returns an array object that contains entries for all link labels, configuration IDs, and group boxes to which the current user has access.

There are two options to discover or retrieve the current user's roles, depending on the values passed of &Roles, %Component, or %UserID:

  1. The system uses the %UserId and %Component variables to discover all of the valid role names for each content reference and user ID in order to perform the filtering.

  2. Using the &Roles array of strings, only the role names in the array are considered for filtering.

Note: You must choose one of these options in order to perform further filtering by role name. The system automatically uses the &Roles array of strings if you pass all three parameters at the same time.

Attachment_Data Application Class SameAttachmentSetup Method

The SameAttachmentSetup method accepts these parameters:

Input Parameter

Description

&EffDt

Specify the effective date as a date.

%UserID

(Optional) Use the system variable to specify the current user.

%Component

(Optional) Use the system variable to specify the component invoking the attachment framework.

&Roles

(Optional) Specify the roles as an array of strings.

&cKeys

Specify the current context key values as an array of strings.

&oKeys

Specify the prior context key values as an array of strings. This is the value of the field the last time the component was saved.

The method returns a boolean value (True/False).

The system uses the &EfftDt and &cKeys to retrieve the Configuration IDs using the current context keys values. The system uses the &EfftDt and &oKeys to retrieve the Configuration IDs using the context keys values from the last time the component was saved. Using the %UserId and %Component system variables the system discovers all of the valid role names for each content reference and user ID in order to perform the filtering. Using the &Roles array of strings only the role names that are in the array are considered for the filtering. Then these entries are loaded into arrays for comparison. If the current Configuration IDs are the same as the prior Configuration IDs, then the method returns the value True. If the return is True, the product that intends to implement this functionality has the option to delete the invalid attachments or leave them in the database.

Attachment_UI Application Class Attachment_UI (Constructor) Method

The statements contained in this method provide the initialization of the class and instantiates new objects of the Attachment_UI class.

The Attachment_UI (Constructor) method accepts these parameters:

Input Parameter

Description

&tOwrId

(Optional) Specify the Text Catalog Object Owner ID.

&tSubId

(Optional) Specify the Text Catalog Attachment Sub ID.

&OwrId

Specify the Object Attachment Owner ID.

&SubId

Specify the Object Attachment Sub ID.

No return parameters are available.

Attachment_UI Application Class GetAttachmentType Method

The Configuration ID and the Effective Date are used to retrieve the attachment type from the Attachment Configuration Table (HR_ATT_CNFG_TBL.)

The GetAttachmentType method accepts these parameters:

Input Parameter

Description

&CnfgId

Specify the hyperlink Configuration ID.

&EffDt

Specify the Effective Date as a date.

The method returns the attachment type as one of the following string values:

  • <001> for a URL attachment type.

  • <002> for an ATTACHMENT attachment type.

  • <003> for a DOCUMENT DEFINITION attachment type.

Note: Only type 003 attachment types can be edited.

Attachment_UI Application Class OpenAttachment Method

The system uses the Configuration ID value (&hCnfgID) and the Effective Date (&hEffDt) to retrieve the attachment type from PS_HR_ATT_CNFG_TBL using the GetAttachmentType method. If the attachment type is Attachment or URL then the specified attachment file or URL is opened in a new window. Otherwise, the user is transferred to the Attachment User Interface – (Component: HR_ATT_DD). To enable the user to open the component ensure that the corresponding store key record and store key field labels are defined.

The OpenAttachment method accepts these parameters:

Input Parameter

Description

&tOwrId

(Optional) Specify the Text Catalog Object Owner ID.

&tSubId

(Optional) Specify the Text Catalog Attachment Sub ID.

&OwrId

Specify the Object Owner ID.

&SubId

Specify the Object Attachment Sub ID.

&hCnfgID

Specify the hyperlink Configuration ID (use the value that the GetAttachmentLinks method returns in the array).

&hEffDt

Specify the effective date.

%UserID

Use the system variable to specify the current user.

&sKeys

Specify the Store Keys values as an array of strings.

&hRole

Specify the Role Name (use the value that the GetAttachmentLinks method returns in the array).

&dOnly

Specify true or false. Truespecifies display only mode. Falseuses the attachment setup.

The method returns a numeric value that indicates the number of successfully added attachment records.

Attachment_UI Application Class DelAttachments Method

The DelAttachments method accepts these parameters:

Input Parameter

Description

&EffDt

Specify the effective date as a date.

&Ckeys

Specify the context key values as an array of strings.

&Roles

(Optional) Specify the roles as an array of strings.

%Component

(Optional) Use the system variable to specify the component invoking the attachment framework.

%UserID

(Optional) Use the system variable to specify the current user.

The method returns an array that contains entries for all of the hyperlink labels, Configuration IDs and group boxes that the current user can access.

Attachment_UI Application Class ExistAttachments Method

The ExistAttachments method accepts these parameters:

Input Parameter

Description

&OwrId

Specify the Object Attachment Owner ID.

&SubId

Specify the Object Attachment Sub ID.

&hEffDt

Specify the effective date as a date.

&hkeys

Specify the Store Keys values as an array of strings.

The method returns a boolean value (True/False).

Delivered Text Catalog Entries

The steps to view delivered text catalog entries for attachments are:

  1. Navigate to the Maintain Text Catalog page. (Set Up HCM > Common Definitions > Text Catalog and Notepad > Maintain Text Catalog)

  2. Enter HHR in the Object owner identifier field and ATT in the Sub ID field.

  3. Click Search to view the list of text catalogs for attachments.