Chapter No.
5 What is Block in Forms
Builder?
What is Block in Oracle Forms Builder?
Block is an area where we put all the items in it. Block is a container we put all the items in it but
on Canvas we show up these items. Suppose we have five items in Block then we can show all
items or any item on Canvas. There are two types of Block in form builder.
Database Block:
Database Block is create on behalf of any table or view. The items of data block also called
database items. If we create database block of any table then it will automatically create items on
behalf of table columns.
Non-Database Block:
Non-Database Block normally called Control block is not linked with table or view it will create
manually and also items put in this block manually. All items of non-database block are non-
database items.
hapter No.6 Make Database Block with
wizard on Canvas
<<Previous Chapter Next Chapter>>
In this chapter we will make Database Block by using Data Block Wizard. By following these
steps we can create Database Block on canvas very easily.
For Creating Data Block:
1. Click on “Data Blocks” under the forms hierarchy.
2. Then Click on “+” sign on left side for creating new Database Block.
3. A window will appear with two options “Use the Data Block Wizard” and “Build a new data block
manually” with two radio buttons and Click on radio button of “Use the Data Block Wizard” and
press “OK”
4. A window will open click “NEXT”
5.
6. Another window will open then choose option “Table or View” click “NEXT”
7. After it a window will open press the button “BROWSE” and chose any table like
“SUPPLIER_INFO” and press “OK” button.
Oracle_Data_Block_5
8. After it All Fields of “SUPPLIER_INFO” table will show on screen.
9. Select all fields by using this button ”>>” and click on “NEXT” then on next window press
“FINISH”
Oracle_Data_Block_5
After this step Data Block is created successfully now we will draw items on Canvas to
display these items.
For Displaying Items of Data Block on Canvas:
1. A Layout Window will open Just Click on “NEXT”
Form_Builder_Canvas1
2. A window will open for “Canvas Selection” set canvas property “[New Canvas]” click “NEXT”
3. Select all fields by using this button ”>>” and click on “NEXT” then on next window press
4. Change Fields Captions and click “NEXT”
5. Set radio value “FORM” (Tabular Option will use in next chapters)
6. Set “Frame” header “Supplier Information” and click “NEXT” and “FINISH”
PIC11_Form_Builder_Canvas11
Finally we have drawn up all the fields of Supplier_Info on canvas, it will look like this pitcher
that is given below.
Form_Builder_canvas13
In next chapter we will learn in detail about canvas and data block property.
Chapter No.6 Make Database Block with
wizard on Canvas
<<Previous Chapter Next Chapter>>
In this chapter we will make Database Block by using Data Block Wizard. By following these
steps we can create Database Block on canvas very easily.
For Creating Data Block:
1. Click on “Data Blocks” under the forms hierarchy.
2. Then Click on “+” sign on left side for creating new Database Block.
3. A window will appear with two options “Use the Data Block Wizard” and “Build a new data block
manually” with two radio buttons and Click on radio button of “Use the Data Block Wizard” and
press “OK”
4. A window will open click “NEXT”
5.
6. Another window will open then choose option “Table or View” click “NEXT”
7. After it a window will open press the button “BROWSE” and chose any table like
“SUPPLIER_INFO” and press “OK” button.
Oracle_Data_Block_5
8. After it All Fields of “SUPPLIER_INFO” table will show on screen.
9. Select all fields by using this button ”>>” and click on “NEXT” then on next window press
“FINISH”
Oracle_Data_Block_5
After this step Data Block is created successfully now we will draw items on Canvas to
display these items.
For Displaying Items of Data Block on Canvas:
1. A Layout Window will open Just Click on “NEXT”
Form_Builder_Canvas1
2. A window will open for “Canvas Selection” set canvas property “[New Canvas]” click “NEXT”
3. Select all fields by using this button ”>>” and click on “NEXT” then on next window press
4. Change Fields Captions and click “NEXT”
5. Set radio value “FORM” (Tabular Option will use in next chapters)
6. Set “Frame” header “Supplier Information” and click “NEXT” and “FINISH”
PIC11_Form_Builder_Canvas11
Finally we have drawn up all the fields of Supplier_Info on canvas, it will look like this pitcher
that is given below.
Form_Builder_canvas13
In next chapter we will learn in detail about canvas and data block property.
Chapter No.7 Detail of Form Canvas, Block
and Items
In previous chapters we learn that how to draw the items on canvas. In this chapter we will
learn about Canvas, Block and Items.
In this pitcher you see that there are different objects of the form.
If we want to see “Property” of any object just selects this object and press “F4” a property
window will open. In Form Builder there are three main objects.
1. Form Level
2. Block Level
3. Item level
Property Palette of Block
Property Palette of Item
We are discus here some important properties of Oracle Forms Builder.
We can change these properties of block as per need. If we press “F4” on any Block then we will
see these properties that are given below. We are here discussing only most useable properties.
Tab Property Name Description
Name We can set here Block Name.
General Comments We can give any comments about
Block.
Navigation style Same Record = Cursor will not move
next
Change Record = Cursor will move on
next record
Change Data Block = Cursor will
Navigation
move on next block
Next Navigation Data Block When current block fields end cursor
will move on next block that we will
mention here.
Previous Navigation Data Block Cursor will move on previous block
that we will mention here from 1st field
of current block.
Current Record Visual Attribute Provide Visual attribute name that will
Group show color/font on record.
No. of Record Display How many fields will display of this
Record block.
Query All Records If set “YES” then it will provide sum
of block in single field.
Record Orientation Vertically or Horizontally
Database Database Data Block Yes=Database Block
No=Non-Database Block
Query Allowed Yes=We can Fetch records in this
Block
Query Data Source Type Table or View from where data will
come
Query Data Source Name Name of Table or View
Where Clause Any Where condition
Order By Clause Use for sorting data
Insert Allowed Yes=we can insert records in it
No= we can’t insert in it
Update Allowed Yes=We can update this block data
No=We can’t update data of this block
Delete Allowed Yes=We can delete data of this block
No= We can’t delete data of this block
Maximum Record Fetched No. of record fetch in block
Show Scroll Bar Yes=Scroll Bar Show
No=Scroll Bar Hide
Scroll Bar Canvas Provide the name of the canvas where
to display scroll bar
Scroll Bar Tab Page Provide the name of the Tab page
Scroll Bar where to display it.
Scroll Bar Orientation Either to display Vertically or
horizontally
Scroll Bar X Position Provide X position of Scroll Bar
Scroll Bar Y Position Provide Y position of Scroll Bar
Scroll Bar Width Provide Width of Scroll Bar
Scroll Bar Length Provide Length of Scroll Bar
In next chapter we will same learn in detail about Item property of oracle forms builder.
Chapter No.9 Form Item Property
Every item on Oracle Forms Builder has its unique properties. We can change these properties
according to our need of the application. In this chapter we will discuss some important and most
usable properties of items.
Property Name Description
Tab
Name Use for give proper Item Name
Item Type Text Item/List Item/Radio Group and
General
etc…
Comments Comments about this field/Item
Enabled Yes=We can put data in this item
No=We cannot put data in this item
Justification Right, Left, Center use for display of data
Functional Multiple-Line Yes=We can put multiple lines data in
this field.
Case Restriction Lower, Upper, Mixed use for Input Data
Conceal Data Yes= data will show in the form of
password like *************
Keyboard Navigable Yes=Cursor will move on this field
Previous Navigation Item Give name of field where from cursor
Navigation will come in this field
Next Navigation Item Give name of field where cursor will
after this field
Data Type Char/Number/Date and etc…
Maximum Length Define characters length of this field
Fixed Length If we set value of this field 10 then data
of this filed should be 10 characters.
Initial value You can set any initial value of this field.
Required Yes=This field must be entered
No=This is optional field
Format Mask You can give any format mask for this
Data field like 999,999,999 or dd/mm/yyyy
Lowest Allowed Value If we set value of this field 5 then data
should be in this field GREATER than 5.
Highest Allowed Value If we set value of this field 5 then data
should be in this field LESS than 5.
Copy Value From Item If you will provide any other field name
in this field then data will automatically
of this field in it.
Synchronize with Item If we will provide name of any field in it
then both filed data will same.
Calculation Mode Summary= It will be summary of any
Calculation
column.
Formula=we will provide any formula in
this filed.
Formula If we set type formula on calculation
Mode field then you should be provide
any formula in it.
Summary Function If you will set type summary on
calculation Mode field the you should be
provide summary function in it like
SUM, AVG. MIN, MAX
Summarized Block If you will set type summary on
calculation Mode field the you should be
provide summarized block name in it.
Summarized Item If you will set type summary on
calculation Mode field the you should be
provide summarized Item name in it.
Current Record Visual Provide Visual Attribute Group Name
Attribute Group
Record Distance Between Record Distance between fields
No. of Item Displayed How much fields display on block.
Database item Yes=It will be database item that will
related to table field also.
No=It will not connected with database
table field.
Column Name A unique field name that will database
item name if this is database item.
Query Only Y=This field only use for Query
Database Query Allowed Yes=You can query in this block
Query Length If you set the value 10 then when you do
Enter-Query then field data will be 10
characters.
Case Insensitive Query Yes=Enter-Query will be in small abc
Insert Allowed Yes=You can Insert data in this field
Update Allowed Yes=You can update data in this field
Update only if Null Yes=if field null then you can update this
field otherwise you will not.
List of Values Select name of LOV that you have
created on form level.
List X Position LOV display X position
List of Values
List Y Position LOV display Y position
(LOV)
Validate From List YES=Then data will enter in this field
should be equal to LOV data that you
have select for this field.
Physical Visible Yes= This field will be display on
canvas.
No= This field will not display on
canvas.
Canvas Provide canvas name where this field
will display.
Tab Page Provide Tab page name where this field
will display.
X Position X Position of this field
Y Position Y Position of this field
Width Width of this field
Height Height of this field
Bevel Lowered, raised, Inset these are different
modes of this field display on canvas.
Visual Attribute Group Visual Attribute Group Name
Visual Attribute
Prompt Visual Attribute Visual Attribute for caption of this field
Fore Ground Color Line color of this field
Color Back Ground Color Back Ground Color of this field
Fill Pattern Fill pattern style of this field
Font Name Font Name like “ARIAL”
Font Size Font Size like 12,14,16
Font Weight Font weight Like BOLD,LIGHT
Font
Font Style Font Style like ITALIC,PLAIN
Font Spacing Font Spacing Like DENSE, NORMAL,
EXPAND
Prompt Prompt Use for field Caption
Prompt Display Style Caption style
Prompt Justification Caption direction
Prompt Attachment Edge Caption attached edge
Prompt Alignment Caption alignment
Prompt Color Prompt Fore Ground Color Caption Fore ground color
Prompt Font Name Caption font name
Prompt Font Size Caption font size
Prompt Font Prompt Font Weight Caption font weight
Prompt Font Style Caption font style
Prompt Font Spacing Caption spacing
Hint Hint about this field for end user
Display Hint Automatically Yes=Hint will come automatically on
field
Tooltip When cursor will come on this field then
Help a small Tooltip will come on screen
automatically Like “This field for NIC
No.”
Tooltip Visual Attribute Tooltip font, style etc….
Group
Item’s property List: