Context Sensitive DFFs

1/24/2014
Context Sensitive DFF | Oracle Maniacs' Notes
Oracle Maniacs' Notes

FLEXFIELDS
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Context Sensitive DFF

POSTED BY ABHIJIT RAY MARCH 4, 2012 9 COMMENTS
FILED UNDER CONTEXT, CONTEXT SENSITIVE, DFF
Descriptive Flexfields or DFF is one of the highly used feature for extending a transaction. It is used in
every Oracle instance, for myriad reasons. It could be for transaction identification, tracking or just
extra information on a particular transaction or data in Oracle.
DFF can have a static or variable structure. A static structure is very simple. We identify the number of
segments, the type of segments, which segments will be mandatory or optional and the LOV for each
segment.
In a lot of cases the structure of the DFF might have to vary as certain values within a transaction
might need less or more fields or might need different prompts for the fields. In these cases a variable
structure is required for a DFF. We need to design a context sensitive DFF. The context sensitive
DFF could be dependent on a reference value or the context could be entered by the user. We have
talked in detail about a context sensitive DFF in a previous post. Now we shall talk about a context
sensitive DFF where the context will be entered by the user.
In this example we shall use the AP invoice distribution DFF
Responsibility: System Administrator
Navigation: Flexfield > Descriptive > Segments
Query for Application: Payables and Title: Invoice Distribution
Uncheck Freeze flexfield
Select LOV for Reference field
You can select a reference field. If this field is selected and Synchronize with Reference Field is
checked then the DFF structure will vary according to the value in this field. If not, the form will ask the
user to select a context that will be all the Code values defined in the Context region.The user will see
the following in the Invoice Distribution form on selecting the DFF field,
Since the DFF reference field is not synchronized the user is asked which context to select.
We can also have the DFF segments change dynamically without having the user select the CONTEXT
as shown earlier. We can set the CONTEXT of the DFF from a field on the oracle form.
For instance, let us look at another DFF.
http://oraclemaniac.com/2012/03/04/context-sensitive-dff/
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The title of the DFF is Common Lookups. This is the DFF for Common Lookups form.
See the form field named, Reference Field. It is set to :FND_LOOKUP_TYPES.LOOKUP_TYPE.
This value refers to a field on the Common Lookup form. This means that the DFF CONTEXT will
change based on the value of the LOOKUP_TYPE item on the block FND_LOOKUP_TYPES on the
Common Lookup form.
The value of Code in the Context Field Values section of the form will need to match with the value
set on Reference Field. i.e. When a Lookup Type AE_BANK_NAMES is created in Common Lookups
form it will have show the DFF segments as set up in the Context, AE_BANK_NAMES, in the DFF
Context. Let us check the Segments for Context, AE_BANK_NAMES. Click on the Segments button.
We see that it has 1 segment, adf. Close this window and let us check another context. Say,
EY_BANK_GUARANTEE.
This Context has 4 segments set up.
Now let us open the Common Lookup form. Query for Lookup Type, AE_BANK_NAMES.
Check the DFF for a Lookup Code.
You can see that the Context Value is set automatically as the DFF is synchronized with Lookup Type
value. Also, you can see 1 segment in this DFF as it has been setup.
Let us now query for the Lookup Type, EY_BANK_GUARANTEE and check the DFF.
You can see that the DFF segments being displayed are different from the previous DFF and is as per
the set up in the DFF, we saw earlier. The Context Value has also been picked up automatically.
This way we are not allowing the users to enter the DFF Context and change the DFF segments
accordingly, but we are restricting the users from selecting the wrong Context. This way there is little
scope of bypassing business logic.
We have used the same logic to extend usage of Common Lookups. You can find the article here,
Extending Lookups in Apps.
Cheers.
Related articles
How to add Descriptive Flexfields (DFF) in an Oracle Apps Framework (OAF) page
(oraclemaniac.com)
Enable/Disable DFF segments dynamically (oraclemaniac.com)
Quick access to documents/transactions from Navigator menu (oraclemaniac.com)
Account generation workflow setup and customization (oraclemaniac.com)
Receivables Invoice Interface/Conversion (oraclemaniac.com)
Develop a custom form to allow auto-query functionality (oraclemaniac.com)
How to relax Security Rules (oraclemaniac.com)
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How to check the type of Account in the Accounting Flexfield (oraclemaniac.com)
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About Abhijit Ray

I love sleeping, watching Hollywood blockbusters, my Wii, road trips and watching my 4 year old son
grow up. In between I try to squeeze in some time to go to work.
View all posts by Abhijit Ray
Discussion
9 thoughts on Context Sensitive DFF

1. Hi Abhijit,
I am working on one complex issue from my client.I have to configure one scenario.In which
suppose there are three customers 1)A,2)B,3)CFor Customer A There is classes like 1,2,3,4,5 and
another parameters like a,b,c,d
I will show you one matrix of the requirements:For Customer A
Class-> 1 2 3 4 5
Parameter 0 0 0 0 0
a44444
b22223
c22223
d22
e22223
f44444
g33333
h22233
For Customer B
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Class-> 1 2 3 4 5
Parameter 0 0 0 0 0
a23563
b22224
c22225
d22
e22225
f5444
g53333
h52233
Simillar matrix for customer C
The scores will be changing.
Can you please guide me to configure this using lookups and dff.
POSTED BY ABC | JUNE 12, 2012, 12:43 PM
REPLY TO THIS COMMENT
Hi ABC,
The requirement is not very clear to me. Do you mean customer profile classes when you are
referring to class? I do not understand what you mean by parameters to classes. Can you
elaborate on it?
Regards,
Abhijit
POSTED BY ABHIJIT RAY | JUNE 14, 2012, 4:25 PM
2. Hi Abhijit,
Its good to find your blog !! How are you..and your family ?
Have a quick question on DFF.
1. I have created a DFF on AP Invoice Line with value set Yes and No
2. I have created a Custom Profile which will be attached with the responsibility Yes or No Values
Now my requirement is
When I attach YES to the profile at the resp level, the DFF should be displayed at the Inv Line level,
however if I select No at the profile level..it should not prompt for the DFF at the Inv line level.
I have used :PROFILES.INVOICE_FILE in the reference field where INVOICE_FILE is the name of
the Custom Profile.
Thanks for your help
POSTED BY RAJIB | JUNE 26, 2012, 4:40 PM
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Hi Rajib,
Im fine. Sos my family. Howre you doing?
I
think
you
will
get
what
you
want
at
http://oraclemaniac.com/2012/05/08/enabledisable-dff-segments-dynamically/.
$FLEX$. use $PROFILE$..
this
link,
Instead
of
-Abhijit
POSTED BY ABHIJIT RAY | JUNE 26, 2012, 11:05 PM
3. Hi Abhijit,
Its good to find your blog !! How are you..and your family ?
Have a quick question on DFF.
1. I have created a DFF on AP Invoice Line with value set Yes and No
2. I have created a Custom Profile which will be attached with the responsibility Yes or No Values
Now my requirement is
When I attach YES to the profile at the resp level, the DFF should be displayed at the Inv Line level,
however if I select No at the profile level..it should not prompt for the DFF at the Inv line level.
I have used ROFILES.INVOICE_FILE in the reference field where INVOICE_FILE is the name of
the Custom Profile.
Thanks for your help
POSTED BY RAJIB | JUNE 26, 2012, 4:40 PM
4. Hi Abhjit
There is a requirement in our project to default the DFF values (5 segments) in the customer site
DFF field to sales orders and quotes header based on the user selection of customer and OU in the
orders and quotes
if a need arises, user will change the defaulted values of the value sets in the orders and quotes too.
This will be taken for analysis in the form of report
Any pointers of defaulting the customer site DFF into sales order/quote DFF will be of great help.
Thanks and regards
Anand
POSTED BY ANAND | DECEMBER 6, 2012, 4:21 PM
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Hi Anand,
I can suggest personalizing the form to set the default value. You can refer to this article
http://oraclemaniac.com/2012/03/10/populating-a-form-field-value-with-forms-personalization/.
Regards,
Abhijit
POSTED BY ABHIJIT RAY | DECEMBER 7, 2012, 1:34 AM
Hi Abhijit
We have a requirement Within the Create Suppliers screen to create a Contextual DFF.
So, when the user selects vendor_type_lookup_code = Engineer, I should display the DFF
so that i could enter a PM Number.
How do I associate a DFF based on existing column ?
Create Suppliers -> Organization.
There we have a TYPE field (which is vendor_lookup_type_code).
So,I turn on my personalizations and in About this page, I see that the table involved is
PO_VENDORS.There is a DFF for that table. Im not sure if I should be using that to create a
DFF for my requirements. I searched and unable to find how to reference a web field
(vendor_lookup_type_code). So, any help is appreciated.
Thanks
Len
POSTED BY LEN | DECEMBER 20, 2012, 11:54 PM
Hi Len,
You can use the reference field in the DFF definition form. The value of this field will
determine the context and hence the DFF segments.
Regards,
Abhijit
POSTED BY ABHIJIT RAY | DECEMBER 24, 2012, 6:44 PM
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Context Sensitive DFF | Oracle Maniacs' Notes

Oracle Maniacs' Notes

INTERESTING, OUT-OF-THE-BOX OR JUST PLAIN INFORMATION