AVAILABLE ITEM TYPES

 In Oracle APEX App Builder, page items are UI components that display data or capture user input. Each item type offers distinct features and is governed by attributes that control behavior, display, and validation. Below is a comprehensive breakdown of common item types and their configurable properties in Page Designer.

Check Box

Used to display multiple values as checkboxes, allowing users to select more than one value. The selected values are stored in a colon-delimited string.

• Use Case: For multi-select inputs.

• Note: For a Yes/No option, prefer the Switch item.

• Example:

  SELECT ename, empno FROM emp;
  

• Key Attributes:

  • Validation > Value Required: Ensures the item is not null upon submit.

  • Settings > Number Columns: Defines how many checkbox columns to display.

• More Info: Refer to APEX_UTIL for handling multiple returned values.

Color Picker

Allows users to select or input a color code using a palette.

• Note: Choose "Popup LOV" then set to "Color Picker".

• Key Attributes:

  • Validation > Value Required

• See Also: “Configuring Color Picker Display”

Date Picker

Displays a calendar popup to pick dates and optionally time.

• Time: Shown if the format mask includes time components.

• Key Attributes:

  • Highlighted Date, Min/Max Date

  • Show Other Months

  • Format Mask

Display Image

Renders an image from a BLOB column or image URL.

• Key Attributes:

  • Based On: Defines image source.

  • BLOB Last Updated Column: Enables caching.

Display Only

Displays static, non-editable values.

• Key Options:

  • Save Session State

  • Based On: Can display values from a list, PL/SQL code, or item value.

File Browse

Enables file uploads.

• Storage Options:

  • BLOB Column

  • APEX_APPLICATION_TEMP_FILES

• Key Attributes:

  • Purge File At

  • Allow Multiple Files

  • MIME Type, Filename, Character Set Columns

  • Download Link Text

Hidden

Stores data without rendering it to the user.

• Key Attribute:

  • Value is Protected: Prevents client-side tampering.

List Manager

Allows users to manage a set of values using Add/Remove controls.

• Storage: Selected values stored in colon-delimited format.

• Key Attribute:

  • Fetch: Defines LOV behavior.

Number Field

Used to input numbers.

• Validation: Auto-checks numeric values.

• Key Attributes:

  • Minimum / Maximum Values

  • Number Alignment

Password

Accepts secure input (obscured characters).

• Security Best Practice: Avoid storing passwords in session state.

• Key Attributes:

  • Submit on Enter

  • Store Encrypted in Session State

Percent Graph

Displays numeric value (0–100) as a visual percentage bar.

Popup LOV

Displays a searchable list in a popup dialog.

• Best for: Large data sets.

• Example:

  SELECT ename || ' ' || job display_value, empno FROM emp;
  

• Key Attributes:

  • Input Field

  • Fetch Method

Radio Group

Displays a single-select set of options as radio buttons.

• Example:

  SELECT ename, empno FROM emp;
  

• Key Attributes:

  • Number of Columns

  • Page Action on Selection

  • Execute Validations

Rich Text Editor

Provides a WYSIWYG editor for formatted content entry.

• Key Attributes:

  • Editor, Toolbar Options

  • Toolbar Position

Select List

Displays a drop-down list of predefined values.

• Best for: Small to medium lists.

• Example:

  SELECT displayValue, returnValue FROM ...
  

• Key Attributes:

  • Page Action on Selection

  • Execute Validations

Shuttle

Allows users to move multiple values between two lists.

• Storage: Colon-delimited string.

• Key Attributes:

  • Show Controls: Define available move/order buttons.

Switch

Toggle control used for binary choices (Yes/No).

• Key Attributes:

  • Settings: Use default or custom.

  • Validation > Value Required

Slider

Used in jQuery Mobile apps.

• Key Attributes:

  • Min/Max Values

  • Step Increment

  • Highlight Selected

Text Field

Basic single-line input field.

• Key Attributes:

  • Subtype: HTML5 input types (e.g., email, tel).

  • Validation > Value Required

Text Field with Autocomplete

Shows suggestions as the user types.

• Best for: Quick filtering of large datasets.

• Key Attributes:

  • Search Type

  • Lazy Loading

  • Max Values

  • Highlight Matching Terms

Text Area

Multi-line input area.

• Key Attributes:

  • Resizable

  • Auto-Height

  • Character Counter

Plug-ins

Additional item types may be available through plug-ins, appearing as <My Plug-in> [Plug-in].

Best Practices

• Always use Value Required validation where appropriate to enforce data integrity.

• For dynamic or long lists, prefer Popup LOV or Autocomplete for better performance.

• For secure inputs like passwords, avoid saving values in session state and use encryption.

• Use BLOB Last Updated to improve image/file cache handling.

• Avoid exposing hidden item values to client-side manipulation—enable Value is Protected.

For More Details
Visit the official Oracle APEX documentation:
Oracle APEX Item Types – Documentation

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