13 APEX_ITEM

You can use the APEX_ITEM package to create form elements dynamically based on a SQL query instead of creating individual items page by page.

CHECKBOX2 Function

This function creates check boxes.

Syntax

APEX_ITEM.CHECKBOX2(
    p_idx                       IN    NUMBER,
    p_value                     IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL,
    p_attributes                IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL,
    p_checked_values            IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL,
    p_checked_values_delimiter  IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT ':',
    p_item_id                   IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL,
    p_item_label                IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL)
    RETURN VARCHAR2;

Parameters

Table 13-1 describes the parameters available in the CHECKBOX2 function.

Table 13-1 CHECKBOX2 Parameters

Parameter Description

p_idx

Number that determines which APEX_APPLICATION global variable is used. Valid range of values is 1 to 50. For example 1 creates F01 and 2 creates F02

p_value

Value of a check box, hidden field, or input form item

p_attributes

Controls HTML tag attributes (such as disabled)

p_checked_values

Values to be checked by default

p_checked_values_delimiter

Delimits the values in the previous parameter, p_checked_values

p_item_id

HTML attribute ID for the <input> tag

p_item_label

Invisible label created for the item

Examples of Default Check Box Behavior

The following example demonstrates how to create a selected check box for each employee in the emp table.

SELECT APEX_ITEM.CHECKBOX2(1,empno,'CHECKED') "Select",
    ename, job
FROM   emp
ORDER BY 1

The following example demonstrates how to have all check boxes for employees display without being selected.

SELECT APEX_ITEM.CHECKBOX2(1,empno) "Select",
    ename, job
FROM   emp
ORDER BY 1

The following example demonstrates how to select the check boxes for employees who work in department 10.

SELECT APEX_ITEM.CHECKBOX2(1,empno,DECODE(deptno,10,'CHECKED',NULL)) "Select",
    ename, job
FROM   emp
ORDER BY 1

The next example demonstrates how to select the check boxes for employees who work in department 10 or department 20.

SELECT APEX_ITEM.CHECKBOX2(1,deptno,NULL,'10:20',':') "Select",
    ename, job
FROM   emp
ORDER BY 1

Creating an On-Submit Process

If you are using check boxes in your application, you might need to create an On Submit process to perform a specific type of action on the selected rows. For example, you could have a Delete button that uses the following logic:

SELECT APEX_ITEM.CHECKBOX2(1,empno) "Select",
    ename, job
FROM   emp
ORDER  by 1

Consider the following sample on-submit process:

FOR I in 1..APEX_APPLICATION.G_F01.COUNT LOOP
    DELETE FROM emp WHERE empno = to_number(APEX_APPLICATION.G_F01(i));
END LOOP;

The following example demonstrates how to create unselected checkboxes for each employee in the emp table, with a unique ID. This is useful for referencing records from within JavaScript code:

SELECT APEX_ITEM.CHECKBOX2(1,empno,NULL,NULL,NULL,'f01_#ROWNUM#') "Select",
    ename, job
FROM   emp
ORDER BY 1

DATE_POPUP Function

Use this function with forms that include date fields. The DATE_POPUP function dynamically generates a date field that has a popup calendar button.

Syntax

APEX_ITEM.DATE_POPUP(
    p_idx                       IN    NUMBER,
    p_row                       IN    NUMBER,
    p_value                     IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL,
    p_date_format               IN    DATE DEFAULT 'DD-MON-YYYY',
    p_size                      IN    NUMBER DEFAULT 20,
    p_maxlength                 IN    NUMBER DEFAULT 2000,
    p_attributes                IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL,
    p_item_id                   IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL,
    p_item_label                IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL)
    RETURN VARCHAR2;

Parameters

Table 13-2 describes the parameters available in the DATE_POPUP function.

Table 13-2 DATE_POPUP Parameters

Parameter Description

p_idx

Number that determines which APEX_APPLICATION global variable is used.Valid range of values is 1 to 50. For example, 1 creates F01 and 2 creates F02

p_row

This parameter is deprecated. Anything specified for this value is ignored

p_value

Value of a field item

p_date_format

Valid database date format

p_size

Controls HTML tag attributes (such as disabled)

p_maxlength

Determines the maximum number of enterable characters. Becomes the maxlength attribute of the <input> HTML tag

p_attributes

Extra HTML parameters you want to add

p_item_id

HTML attribute ID for the <input> tag

p_item_label

Invisible label created for the item

See Also:

Oracle Database SQL Language Reference for information about the TO_CHAR or TO_DATE functions

Example

The following example demonstrates how to use APEX_ITEM.DATE_POPUP to create popup calendar buttons for the hiredate column.

SELECT 
    empno, 
    APEX_ITEM.HIDDEN(1,empno)||
    APEX_ITEM.TEXT(2,ename) ename, 
    APEX_ITEM.TEXT(3,job) job, 
    mgr, 
    APEX_ITEM.DATE_POPUP(4,rownum,hiredate,'dd-mon-yyyy') hd,
    APEX_ITEM.TEXT(5,sal) sal, 
    APEX_ITEM.TEXT(6,comm) comm,
    deptno
FROM emp
ORDER BY 1

DATE_POPUP2 Function

Use this function with forms that include date fields. The DATE_POPUP2 function dynamically generates a date field that has a jQuery based popup calendar with button.

Syntax

APEX_ITEM.DATE_POPUP2(
    p_idx                   in number,
    p_value                 in date     default null,
    p_date_format           in varchar2 default null,
    p_size                  in number   default 20,
    p_maxLength             in number   default 2000,
    p_attributes            in varchar2 default null,
    p_item_id               in varchar2 default null,
    p_item_label            in varchar2 default null,
    p_default_value         in varchar2 default null,
    p_max_value             in varchar2 default null,
    p_min_value             in varchar2 default null,
    p_show_on               in varchar2 default 'button',
    p_number_of_months      in varchar2 default null,
    p_navigation_list_for   in varchar2 default 'NONE',
    p_year_range            in varchar2 default null,
    p_validation_date       in varchar2 default null)
    RETURN VARCHAR2;

Parameters

Table 13-3 describes the parameters available in the DATE_POPUP2 function.

Table 13-3 DATE_POPUP2 Parameters

Parameter Description

p_idx

Number that determines which APEX_APPLICATION global variable is used.Valid range of values is 1 to 50. For example, 1 creates F01 and 2 creates F02.

p_value

Value of a field item

p_date_format

Valid database date format

p_size

Controls HTML tag attributes (such as disabled)

p_maxlength

Determines the maximum number of enterable characters. Becomes the maxlength attribute of the <input> HTML tag

p_attributes

Extra HTML parameters you want to add

p_item_id

HTML attribute ID for the <input> tag

p_item_label

Invisible label created for the item

p_default_value

The default date which should be selected in DatePicker calendar popup

p_max_value

The Maximum date that can be selected from the datepicker

p_min_value

The Minimum date that can be selected from the datepicker.

p_show_on

Determines when the datepicker displays, on button click or on focus of the item or both.

p_number_of_months

Determines number of months displayed. Value should be in array formats follows: [row,column]

p_navigation_list_for

Determines if a select list is displayed for Changing Month, Year or Both. Possible values include: MONTH,YEAR,MONTH_AND_YEAR and default is null.

p_year_range

The range of years displayed in the year selection list.

p_validation_date

Used to store the Date value for the which date validation failed

See Also:

Oracle Database SQL Language Reference for information about the TO_CHAR or TO_DATE functions

DISPLAY_AND_SAVE Function

Use this function to display an item as text, but save its value to session state.

Syntax

APEX_ITEM.DISPLAY_AND_SAVE(
    p_idx         IN    NUMBER,
    p_value       IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL,
    p_item_id     IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL,
    p_item_label  IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL)
    RETURN VARCHAR2;

Parameters

Table 13-4 describes the parameters available in the DISPLAY_AND_SAVE function.

Table 13-4 DISPLAY_AND_SAVE Parameters

Parameter Description

p_idx

Number that determines which APEX_APPLICATION global variable is used.Valid range of values is 1 to 50. For example, 1 creates F01 and 2 creates F02

p_value

Current value

p_item_id

HTML attribute ID for the <span> tag

p_item_label

Invisible label created for the item

Example

The following example demonstrates how to use the APEX_ITEM.DISPLAY_AND_SAVE function.

SELECT APEX_ITEM.DISPLAY_AND_SAVE(10,empno) c FROM emp

HIDDEN Function

This function dynamically generates hidden form items.

Syntax

APEX_ITEM.HIDDEN(
    p_idx         IN    NUMBER,
    p_value       IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT
    p_attributes  IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL,
    p_item_id     IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL,
    p_item_label  IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL
) RETURN VARCHAR2;

Parameters

Table 13-5 describes the parameters available in the HIDDEN function.

Table 13-5 HIDDEN Parameters

Parameter Description

p_idx

Number to identify the item you want to generate. The number determines which G_FXX global is populated

See Also: "APEX_APPLICATION"

p_value

Value of the hidden input form item

p_attributes

Extra HTML parameters you want to add

p_item_id

HTML attribute ID for the <input> tag

p_item_label

Invisible label created for the item

Example

Typically, the primary key of a table is stored as a hidden column and used for subsequent update processing, for example:

SELECT
    empno, 
    APEX_ITEM.HIDDEN(1,empno)||
    APEX_ITEM.TEXT(2,ename) ename,
    APEX_ITEM.TEXT(3,job) job, 
    mgr, 
    APEX_ITEM.DATE_POPUP(4,rownum,hiredate,'dd-mon-yyyy') hiredate,
    APEX_ITEM.TEXT(5,sal) sal, 
    APEX_ITEM.TEXT(6,comm) comm, 
    deptno
FROM emp
ORDER BY 1

The previous query could use the following page process to process the results:

BEGIN 
    FOR i IN 1..APEX_APPLICATION.G_F01.COUNT LOOP
        UPDATE emp
            SET
                ename=APEX_APPLICATION.G_F02(i),
                job=APEX_APPLICATION.G_F03(i),
                    hiredate=to_date(APEX_APPLICATION.G_F04(i),'dd-mon-yyyy'),
                    sal=APEX_APPLICATION.G_F05(i),
                    comm=APEX_APPLICATION.G_F06(i)
        WHERE empno=to_number(APEX_APPLICATION.G_F01(i));
    END LOOP;
END;

Note that the G_F01 column (which corresponds to the hidden EMPNO) is used as the key to update each row.

MD5_CHECKSUM Function

Use this function for lost update detection. Lost update detection ensures data integrity in applications where data can be accessed concurrently.

This function produces hidden form field(s) with a name attribute equal to 'fcs' and as value a MD5 checksum based on up to 50 inputs. APEX_ITEM.MD5_CHECKSUM also produces an MD5 checksum using Oracle database DBMS_CRYPTO:

UTL_RAW.CAST_TO_RAW(DBMS_CRYPTO.MD5())

An MD5 checksum provides data integrity through hashing and sequencing to ensure that data is not altered or stolen as it is transmitted over a network.

Syntax

APEX_ITEM.MD5_CHECKSUM(
    p_value01   IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL,
    p_value02   IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL,
    p_value03   IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL,
    ...
    p_value50   IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL,
    p_col_sep   IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT '|',
    p_item_id   IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL)
    RETURN VARCHAR2;

Parameters

Table 13-6 describes the parameters available in the MD5_CHECKSUM function.

Table 13-6 MD5_CHECKSUM Parameters

Parameter Description

p_value01

...

p_value50

Fifty available inputs. If no parameters are supplied, the default to NULL

p_col_sep

String used to separate p_value inputs. Defaults to the pipe symbol (|)

p_item_id

ID of the HTML form item

Example

This function generates hidden form elements with the name 'fcs'. The values can subsequently be accessed by using the APEX_APPLICATION.G_FCS array.

SELECT APEX_ITEM.MD5_CHECKSUM(ename,job,sal) md5_cks,
       ename, job, sal
FROM emp

MD5_HIDDEN Function

Use this function for lost update detection. Lost update detection ensures data integrity in applications where data can be accessed concurrently.

This function produces a hidden form field with a MD5 checksum as value which is based on up to 50 inputs. APEX_ITEM.MD5_HIDDEN also produces an MD5 checksum using Oracle database DBMS_CRYPTO:

UTL_RAW.CAST_TO_RAW(DBMS_CRYPTO.MD5())

An MD5 checksum provides data integrity through hashing and sequencing to ensure that data is not altered or stolen as it is transmitted over a network

Syntax

APEX_ITEM.MD5_HIDDEN(
    p_idx       IN    NUMBER,
    p_value01   IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL,
    p_value02   IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL,
    p_value03   IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL,
    ...
    p_value50   IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL,
    p_col_sep   IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT '|',
    p_item_id   IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL)
    RETURN VARCHAR2;

Parameters

Table 13-7 describes the parameters available in the MD5_HIDDEN function.

Table 13-7 MD5_HIDDEN Parameters

Parameter Description

p_idx

Indicates the form element to be generated. For example, 1 equals F01 and 2 equals F02. Typically the p_idx parameter is constant for a given column

p_value01

...

p_value50

Fifty available inputs. Parameters not supplied default to NULL

p_col_sep

String used to separate p_value inputs. Defaults to the pipe symbol (|)

p_item_id

ID of the HTML form item

Example

The p_idx parameter specifies the FXX form element to be generated. In the following example, 7 generates F07. Also note that an HTML hidden form element is generated.

SELECT APEX_ITEM.MD5_HIDDEN(7,ename,job,sal)md5_h, ename, job, sal 
FROM emp

POPUP_FROM_LOV Function

This function generates an HTML popup select list from an application shared list of values (LOV). Like other available functions in the APEX_ITEM package, POPUP_FROM_LOV function is designed to generate forms with F01 to F50 form array elements.

Syntax

APEX_ITEM.POPUP_FROM_LOV(
    p_idx              IN    NUMBER,
    p_value            IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL,
    p_lov_name         IN    VARCHAR2,
    p_width            IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL,
    p_max_length       IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL,
    p_form_index       IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT '0',
    p_escape_html      IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL,
    p_max_elements     IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL,
    p_attributes       IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL,
    p_ok_to_query      IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT 'YES',
    p_item_id          IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL,
    p_item_label       IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL)
    RETURN VARCHAR2;

Parameters

Table 13-8 describes the available parameters in the POPUP_FROM_LOV function.

Table 13-8 POPUP_FROM_LOV Parameters

Parameter Description

p_idx

Form element name. For example, 1 equals F01 and 2 equals F02. Typically, p_idx is a constant for a given column

p_value

Form element current value. This value should be one of the values in the p_lov_name parameter

p_lov_name

Named LOV used for this popup

p_width

Width of the text box

p_max_length

Maximum number of characters that can be entered in the text box

p_form_index

HTML form on the page in which an item is contained. Defaults to 0 and rarely used.

Only use this parameter when it is necessary to embed a custom form in your page template (such as a search field that posts to a different website). If this form comes before the #FORM_OPEN# substitution string, then its index is zero and the form opened automatically by Oracle Application Express must be referenced as form 1. This functionality supports the JavaScript used in the popup LOV that passes a value back to a form element.

p_escape_html

Replacements for special characters that require an escaped equivalent:

  • &lt; for <

  • &gt; for >

  • &amp; for &

Range of values is YES and NO. If YES, special characters are escaped. This parameter is useful if you know your query returns illegal HTML.

p_max_elements

Limit on the number of rows that can be returned by your query. Limits the performance impact of user searches. By entering a value in this parameter, you force the user to search for a narrower set of results.

p_attributes

Additional HTML attributes to use for the form item.

p_ok_to_query

Range of values is YES and NO. If YES, a popup returns first set of rows for the LOV. If NO, a search is initiated to return rows.

p_item_id

ID attribute of the form element.

p_item_label

Invisible label created for the item.

Example

The following example demonstrates a sample query the generates a popup from an LOV named DEPT_LOV.

SELECT APEX_ITEM.POPUP_FROM_LOV (1,deptno,'DEPT_LOV') dt 
FROM emp

POPUP_FROM_QUERY Function

This function generates an HTML popup select list from a query. Like other available functions in the APEX_ITEM package, the POPUP_FROM_QUERY function is designed to generate forms with F01 to F50 form array elements.

Syntax

APEX_ITEM.POPUP_FROM_QUERY(

    p_idx              IN    NUMBER,
    p_value            IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL,
    p_lov_query        IN    VARCHAR2,
    p_width            IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL,
    p_max_length       IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL,
    p_form_index       IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT '0',
    p_escape_html      IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL,
    p_max_elements     IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL,
    p_attributes       IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL,
    p_ok_to_query      IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT 'YES',
    p_item_id          IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL,
    p_item_label       IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL)
    RETURN VARCHAR2;

Parameters

Table 13-9 describes the available parameters in the POPUP_FROM_QUERY function.

Table 13-9 POPUP_FROM_QUERY Parameters

Parameter Description

p_idx

Form element name. For example, 1 equals F01 and 2 equals F02. Typically, p_idx is a constant for a given column.

p_value

Form element current value. This value should be one of the values in the p_lov_query parameter.

p_lov_query

SQL query that is expected to select two columns (a display column and a return column). For example:

SELECT dname, deptno FROM dept

p_width

Width of the text box.

p_max_length

Maximum number of characters that can be entered in the text box.

p_form_index

HTML form on the page in which an item is contained. Defaults to 0 and rarely used.

Only use this parameter when it is necessary to embed a custom form in your page template (such as a search field that posts to a different website). If this form comes before the #FORM_OPEN# substitution string, then its index is zero and the form opened automatically by Oracle Application Express must be referenced as form 1. This functionality supports the JavaScript used in the popup LOV that passes a value back to a form element.

p_escape_html

Replacements for special characters that require an escaped equivalent.

  • &lt; for <

  • &gt; for >

  • &amp; for &

Range of values is YES and NO. If YES, special characters are escaped. This parameter is useful if you know your query returns illegal HTML.

p_max_elements

Limit on the number of rows that can be returned by your query. Limits the performance impact of user searches. By entering a value in this parameter, you force the user to search for a narrower set of results.

p_attributes

Additional HTML attributes to use for the form item.

p_ok_to_query

Range of values is YES and NO. If YES, a popup returns the first set of rows for the LOV. If NO, a search is initiated to return rows.

p_item_id

ID attribute of the form element.

p_item_label

Invisible label created for the item.

Example

The following example demonstrates a sample query the generates a popup select list from the emp table.

SELECT APEX_ITEM.POPUP_FROM_QUERY (1,deptno,'SELECT dname, deptno FROM dept') dt 
FROM emp

POPUPKEY_FROM_LOV Function

This function generates a popup key select list from a shared list of values (LOV). Similar to other available functions in the APEX_ITEM package, the POPUPKEY_FROM_LOV function is designed to generate forms with F01 to F50 form array elements.

Syntax

APEX_ITEM.POPUPKEY_FROM_LOV(
    p_idx              IN    NUMBER,
    p_value            IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL,
    p_lov_name         IN    VARCHAR2,
    p_width            IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL,
    p_max_length       IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL,
    p_form_index       IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT '0',
    p_escape_html      IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL,
    p_max_elements     IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL,
    p_attributes       IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL,
    p_ok_to_query      IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT 'YES',
    p_item_id          IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL,
    p_item_label       IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL)
    RETURN VARCHAR2;

Although the text field associated with the popup displays in the first column in the LOV query, the actual value is specified in the second column in the query.

Parameters

Table 13-10 describes the available parameters in the POPUPKEY_FROM_LOV function.

Table 13-10 POPUPKEY_FROM_LOV Parameters

Parameter Description

p_idx

Identifies a form element name. For example, 1 equals F01 and 2 equals F02. Typically, p_idx is a constant for a given column

Because of the behavior of POPUPKEY_FROM_QUERY, the next index value should be p_idx + 1. For example:

SELECT APEX_ITEM.POPUPKEY_FROM_LOV (1,deptno,'DEPT') dt,
APEX_ITEM.HIDDEN(3,empno) eno

p_value

Indicates the current value. This value should be one of the values in the P_LOV_NAME parameter.

p_lov_name

Identifies a named LOV used for this popup.

p_width

Width of the text box.

p_max_length

Maximum number of characters that can be entered in the text box.

p_form_index

HTML form on the page in which an item is contained. Defaults to 0 and rarely used.

Only use this parameter when it is necessary to embed a custom form in your page template (such as a search field that posts to a different website). If this form comes before the #FORM_OPEN# substitution string, then its index is zero and the form opened automatically by Oracle Application Express must be referenced as form 1. This functionality supports the JavaScript used in the popup LOV that passes a value back to a form element.

p_escape_html

Replacements for special characters that require an escaped equivalent.

  • &lt; for <

  • &gt; for >

  • &amp; for &

This parameter is useful if you know your query returns illegal HTML.

p_max_elements

Limit on the number of rows that can be returned by your query. Limits the performance impact of user searches. By entering a value in this parameter, you force the user to search for a narrower set of results.

p_attributes

Additional HTML attributes to use for the form item.

p_ok_to_query

Range of values is YES and NO. If YES, a popup returns the first set of rows for the LOV. If NO, a search is initiated to return rows.

p_item_id

HTML attribute ID for the <input> tag

p_item_label

Invisible label created for the item

Example

The following example demonstrates how to generate a popup key select list from a shared list of values (LOV).

SELECT APEX_ITEM.POPUPKEY_FROM_LOV (1,deptno,'DEPT') dt 
FROM emp

POPUPKEY_FROM_QUERY Function

This function generates a popup key select list from a SQL query. Similar to other available functions in the APEX_ITEM package, the POPUPKEY_FROM_QUERY function is designed to generate forms with F01 to F50 form array elements.

Syntax

APEX_ITEM.POPUPKEY_FROM_QUERY(
    p_idx              IN    NUMBER,
    p_value            IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL,
    p_lov_query        IN    VARCHAR2,
    p_width            IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL,
    p_max_length       IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL,
    p_form_index       IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT '0',
    p_escape_html      IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL,
    p_max_elements     IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL,
    p_attributes       IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL,
    p_ok_to_query      IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT 'YES',
    p_item_id          IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL,
    p_item_label       IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL)
    RETURN VARCHAR2;

Parameters

Table 13-11 describes the available parameters in the POPUPKEY_FROM_QUERY function.

Table 13-11 POPUPKEY_FROM_QUERY Parameters

Parameter Description

p_idx

Form element name. For example, 1 equals F01 and 2 equals F02. Typically, p_idx is a constant for a given column.

Because of the behavior of POPUPKEY_FROM_QUERY, the next index value should be p_idx + 1. For example:

SELECT APEX_ITEM.POPUPKEY_FROM_QUERY (1,deptno,'SELECT dname, deptno FROM dept') dt,
APEX_ITEM.HIDDEN(3,empno) eno

p_value

Form element current value. This value should be one of the values in the P_LOV_QUERY parameter.

p_lov_query

LOV query used for this popup.

p_width

Width of the text box.

p_max_length

Maximum number of characters that can be entered in the text box.

p_form_index

HTML form on the page in which an item is contained. Defaults to 0 and rarely used.

Only use this parameter when it is necessary to embed a custom form in your page template (such as a search field that posts to a different website). If this form comes before the #FORM_OPEN# substitution string, then its index is zero and the form opened automatically by Oracle Application Express must be referenced as form 1. This functionality supports the JavaScript used in the popup LOV that passes a value back to a form element.

p_escape_html

Replacements for special characters that require an escaped equivalent.

  • &lt; for <

  • &gt; for >

  • &amp; for &

This parameter is useful if you know your query returns illegal HTML.

p_max_elements

Limit on the number of rows that can be returned by your query. Limits the performance impact of user searches. By entering a value in this parameter, you force the user to search for a narrower set of results.

p_attributes

Additional HTML attributes to use for the form item.

p_ok_to_query

Range of values is YES and NO. If YES, a popup returns first set of rows for the LOV. If NO, a search is initiated to return rows.

p_item_id

ID attribute of the form element.

p_item_label

Invisible label created for the item.

Example

The following example demonstrates how to generate a popup select list from a SQL query.

SELECT APEX_ITEM.POPUPKEY_FROM_QUERY (1,deptno,'SELECT dname, deptno FROM dept') dt 
FROM emp

RADIOGROUP Function

This function generates a radio group from a SQL query.

Syntax

APEX_ITEM.RADIOGROUP(
    p_idx              IN    NUMBER,
    p_value            IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL,
    p_selected_value   IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL,
    p_display          IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL,
    p_attributes       IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL,
    p_onblur           IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL,
    p_onchange         IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL,
    p_onfocus          IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL,
    p_item_id          IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL,
    p_item_label       IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL)
    RETURN VARCHAR2;

Parameters

Table 13-12 describes the parameters available in the RADIOGROUP function.

Table 13-12 RADIOGROUP Parameters

Parameter Description

p_idx

Number that determines which APEX_APPLICATION global variable is used. Valid range of values is 1 to 50.For example 1 creates F01 and 2 creates F02.

p_value

Value of the radio group.

p_selected_value

Value that should be selected.

p_display

Text to display next to the radio option.

p_attributes

Extra HTML parameters you want to add.

p_onblur

JavaScript to execute in the onBlur event.

p_onchange

JavaScript to execute in the onChange event.

p_onfocus

JavaScript to execute in the onFocus event.

p_item_id

HTML attribute ID for the <input> tag

p_item_label

Invisible label created for the item

Example

The following example demonstrates how to select department 20 from the emp table as a default in a radio group.

SELECT APEX_ITEM.RADIOGROUP (1,deptno,'20',dname) dt
FROM   dept
ORDER  BY 1

SELECT_LIST Function

This function dynamically generates a static select list. Similar to other functions available in the APEX_ITEM package, these select list functions are designed to generate forms with F01 to F50 form array elements.

Syntax

APEX_ITEM.SELECT_LIST(
    p_idx           IN   NUMBER,
    p_value         IN   VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL,
    p_list_values   IN   VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL,
    p_attributes    IN   VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL,
    p_show_null     IN   VARCHAR2 DEFAULT 'NO',
    p_null_value    IN   VARCHAR2 DEFAULT '%NULL%',
    p_null_text     IN   VARCHAR2 DEFAULT '%',
    p_item_id       IN   VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL,
    p_item_label    IN   VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL,
    p_show_extra    IN   VARCHAR2 DEFAULT 'YES')
    RETURN VARCHAR2;

Parameters

Table 13-13 describes the parameters available in the SELECT_LIST function.

Table 13-13 SELECT_LIST Parameters

Parameter Description

p_idx

Form element name. For example, 1 equals F01 and 2 equals F02. Typically the P_IDX parameter is constant for a given column.

p_value

Current value. This value should be a value in the P_LIST_VALUES parameter.

p_list_values

List of static values separated by commas. Displays values and returns values that are separated by semicolons.

Note that this is only available in the SELECT_LIST function.

p_attributes

Extra HTML parameters you want to add.

p_show_null

Extra select option to enable the NULL selection. Range of values is YES and NO.

p_null_value

Value to be returned when a user selects the NULL option. Only relevant when p_show_null equals YES.

p_null_text

Value to be displayed when a user selects the NULL option. Only relevant when p_show_null equals YES.

p_item_id

HTML attribute ID for the <input> tag.

p_item_label

Invisible label created for the item.

p_show_extra

Shows the current value even if the value of p_value is not located in the select list.

Example

The following example demonstrates a static select list that displays Yes, returns Y, defaults to Y, and generates a F01 form item.

SELECT APEX_ITEM.SELECT_LIST(1,'Y','Yes;Y,No;N')yn 
FROM emp

The following example demonstrates the use of APEX_ITEM.SELECT_LIST to generate a static select list where:

  • A form array element F03 is generated (p_idx parameter).

  • The initial value for each element is equal to the value for deptno for the row from emp (p_value parameter).

  • The select list contains 4 options (p_list_values parameter).

  • The text within the select list displays in red (p_attributes parameter).

  • A null option is displayed (p_show_null) and this option displays -Select- as the text (p_null_text parameter).

  • An HTML ID attribute is generated for each row, where #ROWNUM# is substituted for the current row rownum (p_item_id parameter). (So an ID of 'f03_4' is generated for row 4.)

  • A HTML label element is generated for each row (p_item_label parameter).

  • The current value for deptno is displayed, even if it is not contained with the list of values passed in the p_list_values parameter (p_show_extra parameter).

SELECT  empno "Employee #", 
    ename "Name",
    APEX_ITEM.SELECT_LIST(
        p_idx           =>   3,
        p_value         =>   deptno,
        p_list_values   =>   'ACCOUNTING;10,RESEARCH;20,SALES;30,OPERATIONS;40',
        p_attributes    =>   'style="color:red;"',
        p_show_null     =>   'YES',
        p_null_value    =>   NULL,
        p_null_text     =>   '-Select-',
        p_item_id       =>   'f03_#ROWNUM#',
        p_item_label    =>   'Label for f03_#ROWNUM#',
        p_show_extra    =>   'YES') "Department"
  FROM  emp;

SELECT_LIST_FROM_LOV Function

This function dynamically generates select lists from a shared list of values (LOV). Similar to other functions available in the APEX_ITEM package, these select list functions are designed to generate forms with F01 to F50 form array elements.

Syntax

APEX_ITEM.SELECT_LIST_FROM_LOV(
    p_idx           IN   NUMBER,
    p_value         IN   VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL,
    p_lov           IN   VARCHAR2,
    p_attributes    IN   VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL,
    p_show_null     IN   VARCHAR2 DEFAULT 'YES',
    p_null_value    IN   VARCHAR2 DEFAULT '%NULL%',
    p_null_text     IN   VARCHAR2 DEFAULT '%',
    p_item_id       IN   VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL,
    p_item_label    IN   VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL,
    p_show_extra    IN   VARCHAR2 DEFAULT 'YES')
    RETURN VARCHAR2;

Parameters

Table 13-14 describes the parameters available in the SELECT_LIST_FROM_LOV function.

Table 13-14 SELECT_LIST_FROM_LOV Parameters

Parameter Description

p_idx

Form element name. For example, 1 equals F01 and 2 equals F02. Typically, the p_idx parameter is constant for a given column.

p_value

Current value. This value should be a value in the p_lov parameter.

p_lov

Text name of an application list of values. This list of values must be defined in your application. This parameter is used only by the select_list_from_lov function.

p_attributes

Extra HTML parameters you want to add.

p_show_null

Extra select option to enable the NULL selection. Range of values is YES and NO.

p_null_value

Value to be returned when a user selects the NULL option. Only relevant when p_show_null equals YES.

p_null_text

Value to be displayed when a user selects the NULL option. Only relevant when p_show_null equals YES.

p_item_id

HTML attribute ID for the <select> tag.

p_item_label

Invisible label created for the item.

p_show_extra

Shows the current value even if the value of p_value is not located in the select list.

Example

The following example demonstrates a select list based on an LOV defined in the application.

SELECT APEX_ITEM.SELECT_LIST_FROM_LOV(2,job,'JOB_FLOW_LOV')job 
FROM emp

SELECT_LIST_FROM_LOV_XL Function

This function dynamically generates very large select lists (greater than 32K) from a shared list of values (LOV). Similar to other functions available in the APEX_ITEM package, these select list functions are designed to generate forms with F01 to F50 form array elements. This function is the same as SELECT_LIST_FROM_LOV, but its return value is CLOB. Use this function in SQL queries where you need to handle a column value longer than 4000 characters.

Syntax

APEX_ITEM.SELECT_LIST_FROM_LOV_XL(
    p_idx           IN   NUMBER,
    p_value         IN   VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL,
    p_lov           IN   VARCHAR2,
    p_attributes    IN   VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL,
    p_show_null     IN   VARCHAR2 DEFAULT 'YES',
    p_null_value    IN   VARCHAR2 DEFAULT '%NULL%',
    p_null_text     IN   VARCHAR2 DEFAULT '%',
    p_item_id       IN   VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL,
    p_item_label    IN   VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL,
    p_show_extra    IN   VARCHAR2 DEFAULT 'YES')
    RETURN CLOB;

Parameters

Table 13-15 describes the parameters available in the SELECT_LIST_FROM_LOV_XL function.

Table 13-15 SELECT_LIST_FROM_LOV_XL Parameters

Parameter Description

p_idx

Form element name. For example, 1 equals F01 and 2 equals F02. Typically, the p_idx parameter is constant for a given column.

p_value

Current value. This value should be a value in the p_lov parameter.

p_lov

Text name of a list of values. This list of values must be defined in your application. This parameter is used only by the select_list_from_lov function.

p_attributes

Extra HTML parameters you want to add.

p_show_null

Extra select option to enable the NULL selection. Range of values is YES and NO.

p_null_value

Value to be returned when a user selects the NULL option. Only relevant when p_show_null equals YES.

p_null_text

Value to be displayed when a user selects the NULL option. Only relevant when p_show_null equals YES.

p_item_id

HTML attribute ID for the <select> tag.

p_item_label

Invisible label created for the item.

p_show_extra

Shows the current value even if the value of p_value is not located in the select list.

Example

The following example demonstrates how to create a select list based on an LOV defined in the application.

SELECT APEX_ITEM.SELECT_LIST_FROM_LOV_XL(2,job,'JOB_FLOW_LOV')job 
FROM emp

SELECT_LIST_FROM_QUERY Function

This function dynamically generates a select list from a query. Similar to other functions available in the APEX_ITEM package, these select list functions are designed to generate forms with F01 to F50 form array elements.

Syntax

APEX_ITEM.SELECT_LIST_FROM_QUERY(
    p_idx           IN    NUMBER,
    p_value         IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL,
    p_query         IN    VARCHAR2,
    p_attributes    IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL,
    p_show_null     IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT 'YES',
    p_null_value    IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT '%NULL%',
    p_null_text     IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT '%',
    p_item_id       IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL,
    p_item_label    IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL,
    p_show_extra    IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT 'YES')
    RETURN VARCHAR2;

Parameters

Table 13-16 describes the parameters available in the SELECT_LIST_FROM_QUERY function.

Table 13-16 SELECT_LIST_FROM_QUERY Parameters

Parameter Description

p_idx

Form element name. For example, 1 equals F01 and 2 equals F02. Typically, the p_idx parameter is constant for a given column.

p_value

Current value. This value should be a value in the p_query parameter.

p_query

SQL query that is expected to select two columns, a display column, and a return column. For example:

SELECT dname, deptno FROM dept

Note that this is used only by the SELECT_LIST_FROM_QUERY function.

Also note, if only one column is specified in the select clause of this query, the value for this column is used for both display and return purposes.

p_attributes

Extra HTML parameters you want to add.

p_show_null

Extra select option to enable the NULL selection. Range of values is YES and NO.

p_null_value

Value to be returned when a user selects the NULL option. Only relevant when p_show_null equals YES.

p_null_text

Value to be displayed when a user selects the NULL option. Only relevant when p_show_null equals YES.

p_item_id

HTML attribute ID for the <select> tag.

p_item_label

Invisible label created for the item.

p_show_extra

Show the current value even if the value of p_value is not located in the select list.

Example

The following example demonstrates a select list based on a SQL query.

SELECT APEX_ITEM.SELECT_LIST_FROM_QUERY(3,job,'SELECT DISTINCT job FROM emp')job 
FROM emp

SELECT_LIST_FROM_QUERY_XL Function

This function is the same as SELECT_LIST_FROM_QUERY, but its return value is a CLOB. This allows its use in SQL queries where you need to handle a column value longer than 4000 characters. Similar to other functions available in the APEX_ITEM package, these select list functions are designed to generate forms with F01 to F50 form array elements.

Syntax

APEX_ITEM.SELECT_LIST_FROM_QUERY_XL(
    p_idx           IN    NUMBER,
    p_value         IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL,
    p_query         IN    VARCHAR2,
    p_attributes    IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL,
    p_show_null     IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT 'YES',
    p_null_value    IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT '%NULL%',
    p_null_text     IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT '%',
    p_item_id       IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL,
    p_item_label    IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL,
    p_show_extra    IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT 'YES')
    RETURN CLOB;

Parameters

Table 13-17 describes the parameters available in the SELECT_LIST_FROM_QUERY_XL function.

Table 13-17 SELECT_LIST_FROM_QUERY_XL Parameters

Parameter Description

p_idx

Form element name. For example, 1 equals F01 and 2 equals F02. Typically the p_idx parameter is constant for a given column.

p_value

Current value. This value should be a value in the p_query parameter.

p_query

SQL query that is expected to select two columns, a display column, and a return column. For example:

SELECT dname, deptno FROM dept

Note that this is used only by the SELECT_LIST_FROM_QUERY_XL function.

Also note, if only one column is specified in the select clause of this query, the value for this column is used for both display and return purposes.

p_attributes

Extra HTML parameters you want to add.

p_show_null

Extra select option to enable the NULL selection. Range of values is YES and NO.

p_null_value

Value to be returned when a user selects the NULL option. Only relevant when p_show_null equals YES.

p_null_text

Value to be displayed when a user selects the NULL option. Only relevant when p_show_null equals YES.

p_item_id

HTML attribute ID for the <select> tag.

p_item_label

Invisible label created for the item.

p_show_extra

Show the current value even if the value of p_value is not located in the select list.

Example

The following example demonstrates a select list based on a SQL query.

SELECT APEX_ITEM.SELECT_LIST_FROM_QUERY_XL(3,job,'SELECT DISTINCT job FROM emp')job 
FROM emp

TEXT Function

This function generates text fields (or text input form items) from a SQL query.

Syntax

APEX_ITEM.TEXT(
    p_idx         IN    NUMBER,
    p_value       IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL,
    p_size        IN    NUMBER DEFAULT NULL,
    p_maxlength   IN    NUMBER DEFAULT NULL,
    p_attributes  IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL,
    p_item_id     IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL,
    p_item_label  IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL)
    RETURN VARCHAR2;

Parameters

Table 13-18 describes the parameters available in the TEXT function.

Table 13-18 TEXT Parameters

Parameter Description

p_idx

Number to identify the item you want to generate. The number determines which G_FXX global is populated.

See Also: "APEX_APPLICATION"

p_value

Value of a text field item.

p_size

Controls HTML tag attributes (such as disabled).

p_maxlength

Maximum number of characters that can be entered in the text box.

p_attributes

Extra HTML parameters you want to add.

p_item_id

HTML attribute ID for the <input> tag.

p_item_label

Invisible label created for the item.

Example

The following sample query demonstrates how to generate one update field for each row. Note that the ename, sal, and comm columns use the APEX_ITEM.TEXT function to generate an HTML text field for each row. Also, notice that each item in the query is passed a unique p_idx parameter to ensure that each column is stored in its own array.

SELECT 
  empno, 
  APEX_ITEM.HIDDEN(1,empno)||
  APEX_ITEM.TEXT(2,ename) ename, 
  APEX_ITEM.TEXT(3,job) job, 
  mgr, 
  APEX_ITEM.DATE_POPUP(4,rownum,hiredate,'dd-mon-yyyy') hiredate,
  APEX_ITEM.TEXT(5,sal) sal, 
  APEX_ITEM.TEXT(6,comm) comm,
  deptno
FROM emp
ORDER BY 1

TEXTAREA Function

This function creates text areas.

Syntax

APEX_ITEM.TEXTAREA(
    p_idx         IN    NUMBER,
    p_value       IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL,
    p_rows        IN    NUMBER DEAULT 40,
    p_cols        IN    NUMBER DEFAULT 4,
    p_attributes  IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL,
    p_item_id     IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL,
    p_item_label  IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL)
    RETURN VARCHAR2;

Parameters

Table 13-19 describes the parameters available in the TEXTAREA function.

Table 13-19 TEXTAREA Parameters

Parameter Description

p_idx

Number to identify the item you want to generate. The number determines which G_FXX global is populated.

See Also: "APEX_APPLICATION"

p_value

Value of the text area item.

p_rows

Height of the text area (HTML rows attribute)

p_cols

Width of the text area (HTML column attribute).

p_attributes

Extra HTML parameters you want to add.

p_item_id

HTML attribute ID for the <textarea> tag.

p_item_label

Invisible label created for the item.

Example

The following example demonstrates how to create a text area based on a SQL query.

SELECT APEX_ITEM.TEXTAREA(3,ename,5,80) a
FROM emp

TEXT_FROM_LOV Function

Use this function to display an item as text, deriving the display value of the named LOV.

Syntax

APEX_ITEM.TEXT_FROM_LOV (
    p_value       IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL,
    p_lov         IN    VARCHAR2,
    p_null_text   IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT '%')
    RETURN VARCHAR2;

Parameters

Table 13-20 describes the parameters available in the TEXT_FROM_LOV function.

Table 13-20 TEXT_FROM_LOV Parameters

Parameter Description

p_value

Value of a field item.

Note that if p_value is not located in the list of values, p_null_text is value displayed.

p_lov

Text name of a shared list of values. This list of values must be defined in your application.

p_null_text

Value displayed when the value of the field item is NULL.

Example

The following example demonstrates how to derive the display value from a named LOV (EMPNO_ENAME_LOV).

SELECT APEX_ITEM.TEXT_FROM_LOV(empno,'EMPNO_ENAME_LOV') c FROM emp

TEXT_FROM_LOV_QUERY Function

Use this function to display an item as text, deriving the display value from a list of values query.

Syntax

APEX_ITEM.TEXT_FROM_LOV_QUERY (
    p_value       IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT NULL,
    p_query       IN    VARCHAR2,
    p_null_text   IN    VARCHAR2 DEFAULT '%')
    RETURN VARCHAR2;

Parameters

Table 13-21 describes the parameters available in the TEXT_FROM_LOV_QUERY function.

Table 13-21 TEXT_FROM_LOV_QUERY Parameters

Parameter Description

p_value

Value of a field item.

p_query

SQL query that is expected to select two columns, a display column and a return column. For example:

SELECT dname, deptno FROM dept

Note if only one column is specified in the select clause of this query, the value for this column is used for both display and return purposes.

p_null_text

Value to be displayed when the value of the field item is NULL or a corresponding entry is not located for the value p_value in the list of values query.

Example

The following example demonstrates how to derive the display value from a query.

SELECT APEX_ITEM.TEXT_FROM_LOV_QUERY(empno,'SELECT ename, empno FROM emp') c from emp