What's the difference between a lookup type and a value set?

A lookup type consists of lookups that are static values in a list of values. Lookup code validation is a one to one match.

A table-validated value set may consist of values that are validated through a SQL statement, which allows the list of values to be dynamic. The following table brings out the differences between a lookup type and a value set.

Tip:

You can define a table-validated value set on any table, including the lookups table. Thus, you can change a lookup type into a table-validated value set that can be used in flexfields.

Area of Difference

Lookup Type

Value Set

List of values

Static

Dynamic if the list is table-validated

Validation of values

One to one match of meaning to code included in a lookup view, or through the determinant of a reference data set

Validation by format or inclusion in a table

Format type of values

char

varchar2, number, and so on

Length of value

Text string up to 30 characters

Any type of variable length from 1 to 4000

Duplication of values

Never. Values are unique.

Duplicate values allowed

Management

Both administrators and end-users manage these, except system lookups or predefined lookups at the system configuration level, which can't be modified.

Usually administrators maintain these, except some product flexfield codes, such as GL for Oracle Fusion General Ledger that the end-users maintain.

Both lookup types and value sets are used to create lists of values from which users select values.

A lookup type can't use a value from a value set. However, value sets can use standard, common, or set-enabled lookups.