How do I Combine Classic Reports with APEX Dynamic Actions

 Combining Classic Reports with Oracle APEX Dynamic Actions allows developers to create highly interactive and responsive web applications. Classic Reports provide a straightforward way to display tabular data, while Dynamic Actions enable declarative client-side behaviors without the need for custom JavaScript coding. By integrating these two features, you can enhance user experience with real-time updates, conditional formatting, and interactive filtering directly within your report pages.

In Oracle APEX, combining Classic Reports with Dynamic Actions enhances the interactivity of your applications without requiring custom JavaScript. Classic Reports provide a simple way to display data in tabular format, and Dynamic Actions allow declarative client-side behavior such as refreshing regions, showing alerts, or modifying page elements based on user events.

To combine Classic Reports with Dynamic Actions, follow these detailed steps:

1. Create or open a Classic Report page
   In Application Builder, either create a new page with a Classic Report or open an existing one that displays your data.

2. Identify the event to trigger the Dynamic Action
   Common events include clicking a button, selecting a row, or changing a value in a form item. For example, you may want a button click to refresh the Classic Report or a row selection to display more details.

3. Create a Dynamic Action

   • Navigate to the page’s Dynamic Actions section.

   • Click “Create” and give the Dynamic Action a meaningful name.

   • Select the event type (e.g., Click, Change, or Selection Change).

   • Specify the affected element, such as a button or the Classic Report region.

4. Define the True Action(s)
   The True Action is what happens when the event occurs. Common actions with Classic Reports include:

   • Refresh: Refresh the Classic Report region to show updated data without reloading the entire page.

   • Show: Reveal hidden elements like dialogs or region content based on user interaction.

   • Execute PL/SQL Code: Run server-side logic that can affect the report data or page items.

   • Set Value: Dynamically set the value of page items based on report data or other logic.

5. Use JavaScript Expressions or jQuery Selectors (optional)
   For advanced interactivity, use JavaScript expressions or jQuery selectors to target specific rows or columns in the Classic Report. For example, you can trigger an action when a user clicks a certain cell or row.

6. Test the interaction
   Run the page and perform the action (like clicking a button or selecting a row). The Classic Report should update or respond dynamically according to your defined actions.

Example: Refreshing a Classic Report using a button and Dynamic Action

• Create a button labeled “Refresh Report” on the page.

• Create a Dynamic Action on the button’s Click event.

• Add a True Action: Refresh, and select the Classic Report region.

• Now, clicking the button reloads the report data asynchronously, improving user experience.

By combining Classic Reports with Dynamic Actions, you create a responsive interface that reacts instantly to user input, reduces page reloads, and streamlines application workflows. This declarative approach is efficient, maintainable, and leverages the full power of Oracle APEX’s low-code environment.

Classic Reports can be enhanced using Dynamic Actions to create interactive and user-friendly applications.

For example, you can create a Dynamic Action that highlights a row when clicked:

1. Select the Classic Report in APEX

2. Create a Dynamic Action → Event: Click on a Row

3. Action: Execute JavaScript

4. Use this JavaScript to highlight the selected row:

$(".report-table tr").removeClass("highlight");

$(this).closest("tr").addClass("highlight");

This makes the user experience more interactive by visually selecting a row.

Leveraging Classic Reports alongside Dynamic Actions unlocks powerful possibilities for building dynamic, user-friendly interfaces in Oracle APEX. This combination helps streamline workflows, reduce page reloads, and provide immediate feedback to users, all while maintaining the simplicity and flexibility of Classic Reports. By mastering this integration, developers can deliver more engaging and efficient applications tailored to user needs.