Purpose ------The note intends to provide basic information and answers to commonly asked questions regarding flexfields in Oracle

Applications Release 11. Question and Answers -------------------Q1. Is it possible to make a descriptive field non-updateable? No, when the descriptive flexfield is enabled and users can view the fields, then users can update the fields. Q2. Can I have multiple descriptive flexfields on one table? Yes, as long as the descriptive flexfield use separate columns. Q3. Which column is used for context-sensitive values? Which column is used for context values? Context-sensitive value => the STRUCTURE column Context value => the CONTEXT column Q4. When do I use table validated value sets instead of independent value sets? A table validate value set allows you to modify the WHERE clause of the table validation to fit specific needs. Independent value sets check a value entered against the list of approved values you define. Q5. How do I find out which tables and forms use descriptive flexfields? Two table contain this data in release 11: (1) FND_DESCRIPTIVE_FLEXS (2) FORM_NAME Log into a Release 11.0.3 instance of the Oracle Applications: $ cd $FND_TOP

Using SQL*Plus login in as apps/apps Example 1: Which FND tables use descriptive flexfields? SQL> SELECT DISTINCT APPLICATION_TABLE_NAME 2 FROM FND_DESCRIPTIVE_FLEXS 3 WHERE APPLICATION_TABLE_NAME LIKE 'FND%' 4 / APPLICATION_TABLE_NAME -----------------------------FND_ATTACHED_DOCUMENTS FND_COMMON_LOOKUPS FND_CONCURRENT_PROGRAMS FND_CONCURRENT_QUEUES FND_CURRENCIES FND_DOCUMENTS_TL FND_DOCUMENT_SEQUENCES FND_DOC_SEQUENCE_ASSIGNMENTS FND_ENABLED_ACTIVATION FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_PRINTER_DRIVERS APPLICATION_TABLE_NAME -----------------------------FND_REQUEST_SETS FND_SHORTHAND_FLEX_ALIASES FND_SRS_MASTER 14 rows selected. Example 2: Given a table name what is the name of the descriptive flexfield? SQL> SELECT APPLICATION_TABLE_NAME, 2 DESCRIPTIVE_FLEXFIELD_NAME 3 FROM FND_DESCRIPTIVE_FLEXS 4 WHERE APPLICATION_TABLE_NAME = 'FND_FLEX_VALUES' 5 ORDER BY 2 6 /

APPLICATION_TABLE_NAME DESCRIPTIVE_FLEXFIELD_NAME ------------------------------ ---------------------------------------FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES Example 3: What form and table are contain a specific descriptive flexfield? SQL> SELECT D.APPLICATION_TABLE_NAME, 2 D.DESCRIPTIVE_FLEXFIELD_NAME, 3 F.FORM_NAME 4 FROM FND_DESCRIPTIVE_FLEXS D, 5 FND_FORM F 6 WHERE D.APPLICATION_ID = F.APPLICATION_ID 7 AND D.DESCRIPTIVE_FLEXFIELD_NAME = 'FND_FLEX_VALUES' 8 ORDER BY 3 9 / APPLICATION_TABLE_NAME DESCRIPTIVE_FLEXFIELD_NAME FORM_NAME ---------------------- -------------------------- --------FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES DEMO FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FNDADDSQ FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FNDADDTC FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FNDADDVW FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FNDATCAT FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FNDATDAG FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FNDATDAI FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FNDATDAT FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FNDATDOC FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FNDATENT FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FNDCPDCL FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FNDCPDCQ FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FNDCPDCS FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FNDCPDIA FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FNDCPDPD FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FNDCPDSR FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FNDCPMCP FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FNDCPMMD FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FNDCPMPE FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FNDCPQCR FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FNDCPQRP FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FNDCPRNO FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FNDCPVCM

FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES

FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES

FNDCPVWR FNDFBMAS FNDFBMPA FNDFBRFP FNDFBTST FNDFFIDF FNDFFIIF FNDFFMCV FNDFFMDC FNDFFMHL FNDFFMIS FNDFFMSA FNDFFMSV FNDFFMVS FNDFFMWP FNDFFSRA FNDFFSRN FNDFLADM FNDFMFBF FNDFMFUN FNDLVMCL FNDLVMLU FNDMDMSG FNDMNMNU FNDNLDCX FNDNLDLG FNDNLDTI FNDPMNET FNDPOMPO FNDPOMPV FNDPOMSV FNDPRMPD FNDPRMPR FNDPRRPS FNDPRTYP FNDRSGRP FNDRSRUN FNDRSSET FNDSCAPP FNDSCAUS FNDSCDDG FNDSCMON FNDSCMOU FNDSCRSP FNDSNASQ FNDSNDCT

FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES FND_FLEX_VALUES 74 rows selected.

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Q6. Can I delete a descriptive flexfield? No, you cannot delete the Descriptive Flexfield but you can disable it. Q7. Can I use $FLEX$ within key flexfields in relation to validation tables? Yes, you can use $FLEX$ within key flexfields EXCEPT for accounting key flexfields. Q8. What are the new flexfield features in Release 11? * Use Workflow for building key flexfield code combination (replacing Flexbuilder) * Translatable context value for descriptive flexfields: In release 10, the context value for a descriptive flexfield consisted of context code and a description. Of these only the description was translatable. In release 11, the context value consists of the context code, context name and a description. Both context name and description are translatable. * Using message name for additional column aliases When defining table validation value sets, in addition to the VALUE, MEANING and ID columns, other columns from the table can be displayed in the list of values (LOV) by specifying the columns and their alias in the "Additional Columns" field of the "Value Set" form. * Displaying product specific help from flexfields windows In release 10, users invoked HELP from any flexfield window (key, descriptive, range) and the system displayed a generic flexfield help document. In release 11.0, product teams can

specify the help text to be displayed from a flexfield window * Key flexfield API Q9. Is there a way to compile flexfields and generate flexfield views from the command prompt (command line)? Yes, Oracle Applications uses two utilities: fdfcmp and FNDFFVGN. Note: normally you compile the flexfields using the flexfield Maintenance form within Oracle Applications. This is the safest way to ensure the flexfields are compiled and the flexfields views are created. Utility: fdfcmp (to compile flexfields) --------------------------------------Template: Compile all flexfields (A = A mode (all)) fdfcmp <oracleid>/<password> 0 Y A note: 0 is the number zero and NOT letter 'O' Example: fdfcmp apps/apps 0 Y A Template: compile a key flexfield structure fdfcmp <oracleid>/<password> 0 Y K<ApplShortName> <IdFlexCode><IdFlexNum> Example: compile 101 structure of 'Accounting flexfield' (Note: short name for General Ledger is SQLGL) fdfcmp apps/apps 0 Y K 'SQLGL''GL#' 101 Template: Compile a descriptive flexfield fdfcmp <oracleid>/<password> 0 Y D <ApplShortName> <DescFlexName> Example: Compile 'Attachment context' descriptive flexfield. (Note: Application Object Library is the owner application short name = FND) fdfcmp apps/apps 0 Y D 'FND''ATCHMT_CONTEXT_FLEX' Template: Compile an SRS report descriptive flexfield

fdfcmp <oracleid>/<password> 0 Y R <ApplShortName> <ReportName> Example: fdfcmp apps/apps 0 Y D 'FND''$SRS$.FNDXYZ' fdfcmp apps/apps 0 Y R 'FND''FNDXYZ' Utility: FNDFFVGN (generate flexfield views) -------------------------------------------Template: Generate key flexfield structure view FNDFFVGN username/password 0 Y 1 <APPL ID> <KEY FLEX CODE> <STRUCTURE NUMBER> <STRUCTURE VIEW NAME> Example: Generate structure view for accounting flexfield, structure 101 FNDFFVGN apps/apps 0 Y 1 101 'GL#' 101 'ACCOUNTING_FLEXFIELD_VIEW' Template: Generate key flexfield concatenated view FNDFFVGN username/password 0 Y 2 <APPL ID> <KEY FLEX CODE> [<CONCAT VIEW NAME]> (Note: If concatenated view name is not given flexfield View Generator will use "_KFV" appended to the code combination table name) Example: Generate concatenated view for accounting flexfield, FNDFFVGN apps/apps 0 Y 2 101 'GL#' 101 'GL_CONCATENATED_VIEW' Template: Generate descriptive flexfield view FNDFFVGN username/password 0 Y 3 <APPL ID> <DESC FLEX NAME> [<DESC VIEW NAME>] Example: Generate descriptive flexfield view for 'Attachment context' descriptive flexfield FNDFFVGN apps/apps 0 Y 3 0 101 'ATCHMT_CONTEXT_FLEX' 'ATTACHMENT_VIEW'

Q10. Can I change a dependent segment in an accounting flexfield to independent? Yes, you can change DEPENDENT -> INDEPENDENT but you cannot change INDEPENDENT -> DEPENDENT. Q11. Is it possible to customize the flexfield appearance? Yes, in addition to defining the segments and structures that make up the flexfield, you can define the appearance of the flexfield. You can specify name and descriptions for the segments appearing on the window. Additionally, you can specify the display size for the fields. Q12. What typical information is collected by descriptive flexfields? The following represents the typical business areas in which you may need to track additional or specialized information: Benefits Information Budget Information Calendar Information Credit Information Currency Exchange Information Distribution System Information Labor Cost Information Lease Information Payment Information Q13. What are intelligent keys and what are examples of intelligent keys? Intelligent keys are associated with key flexfields. Intelligent keys are multi-part key values in which each part of the key contains meaningful information. You use key flexfields to build the intelligent key required by Oracle Applications. Examples of intelligent keys include the following: Account Number Asset Number Job Code Serial Number

Q14. What key flexfields are used by Oracle Applications? The number of key flexfields in Oracle Applications is significantly smaller than the number of descriptive flexfields. Key flexfields are: Oracle Assets: Asset Category Location Oracle Payroll: Bank Details Cost Allocation People Group Oracle General: Ledger Accounting

Oracle Receivables: Sales Tax Location Territory Oracle Inventory: Account Aliases Item Catalogs Item Categories Sales Orders Stock Locators System Items Oracle Human Resource: Grade Job Personal Analysis Position Soft Coded Q15. Are their any known issues with flexfields and Oracle Applications Release 11? Issue 1: Problem with FDFCMP where it was not freeing up the memory used by cursors. This caused errors during a fdfcmp for all flexfields. Apply patch 749136

Issue 2: TAB KEY DOESN'T WORK IN ACCOUNTING FLEX FORM, when upgrading to Release 11.0.3. Apply patch 857097 Issue 3: (reference Note:1012268.102) Problem: You are running AutoInstall to install Release 11. The installation fails, however, with the following error in the logfile when recompiling flexfields: APP-0738 error detected when attempting to load value sets in routine SETUP_DESCR_VSET APP-1564 oracle error 1008 fdfavs Cause: FDFAVS failed due to ORA-1008: not all variables bound Q16.When the flexfields are compiled in groups, system resources are being exceeded, even though they seem plentiful. Solution: Continue with the installation, as if AutoInstall was successful. When it completes, run fdfcmp to manually recompile flexfields one at a time (individually), rather than in large groups.

Subject: Can the Table Name of an existing Table Value Sets in use be Changed ? Problem Description ------------------Rel 11: You are trying to change the table name of an existing defined table value set in use. When you try to change the table name field on the validation table information, you get the error message "Field is protected against update". Rel 10.7: In rel 10.7 the functionality of APPS allows you to change the table name of an existing table value set in use. Solution Description -------------------APPS Rel 10.7 allows update of the table name but Rel 11.0 does not. Unfortunately, the bug is not in 11.0 but in 10.7. Oracle does not allow updates of value sets because it causes data integrity problems. If a value set is not used by any segments then updates should be allowed, but at this time the apps do not work that way and we will look into changing the form to allow that. If the value set is being used by segments then an update will not be allowed. Changing the table will cause the values defined in the first table to become invalid if they do not exist in the second table. The only solution to this problem is to create a new value set with their desired change.

Problem Summary: =============== What forms are using a certain descriptive flexfield? key words: descriptive flexfield form certain forms Solution Summary: ================ sql script that can be run Overview of Solution: ===================== This is not possible through any form in the application. Need to run the following sql script. Demo database go into sqlplus \User Tools choose sqlplus username appdemo password fnd column title format a30 column application_table_name format a33 column user_form_name format a30 column user_block_name format a30 spool dff.lst select d.title, d.application_table_name, f.user_form_name, b.user_block_name from fnd_descriptive_flexs d, fnd_form f, fnd_block b where d.application_table_name = b.table_name and b.form_id = f.form_id .

Subject: CAN A SEGMENT VALUE IN A DESCRIPTIVE FLEXFIELD BE READQuestion -------Is it possible to have read-only segment values in descriptive flexfields? Additional Search Words ----------------------ENABLE READABLE WRITABLE READ ONLY Answer -----The only way to see a segment is to enable it and once you enable a segment, it is readable and writable. Therefore, it is not possible to have read-only segments in descriptive flexfields. .

Subject: CAN YOU CHANGE THE NUMBER OF SEGMENTS IN A FLEXFIELD? Problem Description ------------------Can you change the number of segments in a flexfield? Solution Description -------------------No, you cannot change the number of segments in a flexfield. For more information, please refer to the Release 10.7 Flexfields Manual. On page 1-13 under the "Planning the structure" heading, it states the following: "...you should never change the number, order, and maximum length of your segments once you have acquired flexfield data."