How to Create and Use APEX If Condition Directives

 In Oracle APEX, If Condition Directives are powerful tools that enable developers to control the rendering of templates and page components based on dynamic conditions. By using these directives, you can create flexible user interfaces that adapt to different user roles, session states, or application logic without the need for complex coding. Understanding how to create and use If Condition Directives allows you to build more personalized and responsive applications efficiently.

To create an If Condition Directive, navigate to Shared Components > Templates > Condition Directives. Here, you define a unique directive name and specify the PL/SQL Boolean expression that evaluates the condition. For example, you might create a directive named "IS_ADMIN" with a condition that checks if the current user has an admin role. This directive can then be referenced inside your templates using the syntax #IF IS_ADMIN# ... #END_IF#. When the condition evaluates to true, the enclosed content is rendered; otherwise, it is omitted.

Using If Condition Directives inside page templates or HTML regions allows fine-grained control over UI elements. You can create multiple directives for different user roles or application states, combining them to show or hide buttons, menu entries, or entire page sections. This method enhances maintainability by centralizing conditional logic and avoiding scattered PL/SQL or JavaScript checks.

When implementing these directives, ensure your PL/SQL conditions are efficient and consider caching their results if used repeatedly. Testing each directive thoroughly in different user contexts is also essential to guarantee the correct UI experience.

Overall, APEX If Condition Directives are a powerful feature to deliver dynamic and role-based content, helping you design cleaner, more responsive applications with minimal code overhead.

Example

In Oracle APEX, If condition directives are used to dynamically control the behavior and content of your pages based on certain conditions. They allow you to use conditional logic (similar to IF statements in programming) directly in your APEX application. These directives enable you to show or hide regions, items, or perform specific actions based on values like the current user, session, or specific conditions within your data.

The If condition directives are often used in regions, dynamic actions, and SQL queries. In this tutorial, we will cover the basics of these directives and provide practical examples of how to use them in Oracle APEX.

Step 1: Understanding If Condition Directives

APEX If condition directives allow you to check conditions dynamically and display or execute content based on the evaluation of those conditions.

Syntax of the IF Directive

The syntax of the IF directive in APEX is:

#{if <condition>} 

    <content>

#{else} 

    <alternative_content>

#{/if}

• : This is the condition you want to evaluate. It can be a comparison between values, checking session variables, or even page item values.

• : The content that will be displayed or action executed if the condition is true.

• <alternative_content>: The content to be displayed or action to be executed if the condition is false (optional).

• #{/if}: This ends the if block.

Step 2: Using IF Condition Directives in APEX

Let’s explore a few practical examples of how to use If condition directives in various scenarios in Oracle APEX.

Example 1: Showing Content Based on Session Variables

You can use the IF directive to show different content based on the session variables or page items, such as displaying a personalized message for the logged-in user.

Steps:

1. Create a Static Content Region on your page.

2. In the HTML Expression field, add the following code:

#{if &APP_USER. == 'ADMIN'}

    <h2>Welcome, Administrator!</h2>

    <p>You have full access to the application.</p>

#{else}

    <h2>Welcome, &APP_USER.!</h2>

    <p>Limited access based on your role.</p>

#{/if}

• Explanation: In this example, if the logged-in user (&APP_USER.) is "ADMIN", the region will display a message for the administrator. Otherwise, it will display a generic message for all other users.

Expected Output:

• If the logged-in user is "ADMIN":

• Welcome, Administrator!

• You have full access to the application.

• If the logged-in user is not "ADMIN":

• Welcome, JohnDoe!

• Limited access based on your role.

Example 2: Show or Hide Regions Based on Item Value

You can also use If condition directives to conditionally show or hide regions based on a page item value.

Steps:

1. Create a Page Item: Create a page item (e.g., a checkbox or select list) called P1_SHOW_DETAILS.

2. Create a Region: Create a Static Content region where you want to display conditional content.

3. In the HTML Expression field, use the following code:

#{if :P1_SHOW_DETAILS == 'Y'}

    <h3>Details Section</h3>

    <p>This section contains additional information.</p>

#{else}

    <h3>Details Section</h3>

    <p>This section is hidden because the checkbox is not checked.</p>

#{/if}

• Explanation: This code checks the value of P1_SHOW_DETAILS (a page item). If it is set to 'Y' (checked or selected), the content in the if block is shown. Otherwise, the else block content is shown.

Expected Output:

• If P1_SHOW_DETAILS is set to 'Y':

• Details Section

• This section contains additional information.

• If P1_SHOW_DETAILS is set to 'N':

• Details Section

• This section is hidden because the checkbox is not checked.

Example 3: Conditional Display of Regions Based on Application Item

You can conditionally display regions based on application items, such as checking whether a user is logged in or not.

Steps:

1. Create an Application Item: Create an application item, e.g., APP_USER_LOGGED_IN.

2. Set the Application Item: You can set APP_USER_LOGGED_IN in a login process to 'Y' if the user is logged in.

3. Create a Region: Add a Static Content region with the following HTML Expression:

#{if :APP_USER_LOGGED_IN == 'Y'}

    <h2>Welcome back, &APP_USER.!</h2>

    <p>Your previous session was restored.</p>

#{else}

    <h2>Welcome to the Application</h2>

    <p>Please log in to access your data.</p>

#{/if}

• Explanation: This will display a message to the user based on whether they are logged in or not. The APP_USER_LOGGED_IN application item determines if the user is logged in.

Expected Output:

• If APP_USER_LOGGED_IN is 'Y':

• Welcome back, JohnDoe!

• Your previous session was restored.

• If APP_USER_LOGGED_IN is 'N':

• Welcome to the Application

• Please log in to access your data.

Example 4: Using IF Directive in Dynamic Actions

You can also use the IF condition within Dynamic Actions to execute actions based on conditions, such as page item values or session states.

Steps:

1. Create a Page Item: Create a page item (e.g., P1_STATUS).

2. Create a Dynamic Action: Create a Dynamic Action triggered by a change in P1_STATUS.

3. Set the Action Type: Use Execute JavaScript as the action and add the following JavaScript code:

if ("#{P1_STATUS}" == "ACTIVE") {

    alert("The status is active!");

} else {

    alert("The status is not active.");

}

• Explanation: This JavaScript code checks the value of the P1_STATUS page item. If it is set to 'ACTIVE', it shows an alert stating that the status is active. Otherwise, it shows a different message.

Expected Output:

• If P1_STATUS is "ACTIVE":

• Alert: "The status is active!"

• If P1_STATUS is not "ACTIVE":

• Alert: "The status is not active."

Step 3: Advanced Conditional Logic

You can combine multiple conditions using AND, OR, and other logical operators to create more advanced logic within your IF directives.

Example: Check Multiple Conditions

#{if &APP_USER. == 'ADMIN' && :P1_STATUS == 'ACTIVE'}

    <p>Welcome back, Admin. The status is active!</p>

#{else}

    <p>Either you are not an Admin, or the status is not active.</p>

#{/if}

• Explanation: In this case, the IF condition checks two things: if the user is "ADMIN" and if the page item P1_STATUS is set to 'ACTIVE'. If both conditions are true, the first message will be displayed. Otherwise, the else message will be shown.

By using these directives, you can create flexible and responsive applications that adapt to different user interactions, session states, or data values.

Mastering the use of APEX If Condition Directives empowers you to deliver tailored experiences within your applications by conditionally displaying or hiding content based on runtime conditions. This capability enhances the user interface’s relevance and usability while simplifying development through declarative controls. By integrating If Condition Directives thoughtfully, you can significantly improve the flexibility and maintainability of your Oracle APEX applications.

How to Create and Use APEX If Condition Directives

In Oracle APEX, If Condition Directives are essential tools that allow developers to control the visibility and execution of components based on specific conditions. These directives make it easy to show or hide buttons, regions, items, or even entire processes dynamically, depending on runtime values such as user roles, item values, or session variables. By using these condition types effectively—such as "Item = Value," "PL/SQL Expression," or "SQL Query returns at least one row"—developers can build smarter, more responsive applications that behave differently for different users or states.

In Oracle APEX, If Condition Directives provide a powerful and flexible way to control when components such as regions, items, buttons, and processes are displayed or executed. These directives are conditions defined at the application or component level that evaluate expressions, item values, or user privileges, enabling dynamic behavior and personalization within your application. By leveraging If Condition Directives, developers can ensure that only relevant elements are visible or active based on the current application context, improving both usability and security.

To create and use If Condition Directives in Oracle APEX, begin by navigating to the Application Builder and accessing Shared Components. Under the Logic section, select "User Interface Defaults" or directly go to "If Condition Directives" if available in your version. You can define new condition directives by specifying a unique name and selecting the type of condition. Common types include "Item = Value," where a component is shown or hidden based on an item’s value, "PL/SQL Expression," which allows complex logic using PL/SQL code, and "Authorization Scheme," which restricts components based on user roles or permissions.

Once you create a directive, it can be applied to any APEX component by setting the "Server-side Condition" property and choosing the corresponding directive from the list. For example, to display a button only for users with the ADMIN role, create an If Condition Directive using an Authorization Scheme checking user roles, then assign that directive to the button's server-side condition. Similarly, you can hide regions or disable items based on dynamic conditions, making your application more responsive and secure.

Using If Condition Directives also simplifies maintenance and enhances consistency across your application. Instead of replicating the same logic in multiple components, define the condition once and reuse it wherever needed. This reduces errors and ensures that any changes to the condition are applied application-wide. Additionally, combining If Condition Directives with other APEX features like Dynamic Actions and Authorization Schemes empowers developers to build sophisticated, user-friendly applications that adapt seamlessly to different users and scenarios.

In summary, mastering If Condition Directives in Oracle APEX is essential for building dynamic and secure applications. By defining reusable conditions and applying them effectively to components, developers can control the application’s behavior precisely, improve the end-user experience, and simplify application management. Understanding and implementing these directives unlocks a higher level of customization and efficiency in your Oracle APEX development projects.

Example 

In Oracle APEX, If condition directives are used to dynamically control the behavior and content of your pages based on certain conditions. They allow you to use conditional logic (similar to IF statements in programming) directly in your APEX application. These directives enable you to show or hide regions, items, or perform specific actions based on values like the current user, session, or specific conditions within your data.

The If condition directives are often used in regions, dynamic actions, and SQL queries. In this tutorial, we will cover the basics of these directives and provide practical examples of how to use them in Oracle APEX.

Step 1: Understanding If Condition Directives

APEX If condition directives allow you to check conditions dynamically and display or execute content based on the evaluation of those conditions.

Syntax of the IF Directive

The syntax of the IF directive in APEX is:

#{if <condition>} 

    <content>

#{else} 

    <alternative_content>

#{/if}

• : This is the condition you want to evaluate. It can be a comparison between values, checking session variables, or even page item values.

• : The content that will be displayed or action executed if the condition is true.

• <alternative_content>: The content to be displayed or action to be executed if the condition is false (optional).

• #{/if}: This ends the if block.

Step 2: Using IF Condition Directives in APEX

Let’s explore a few practical examples of how to use If condition directives in various scenarios in Oracle APEX.

Example 1: Showing Content Based on Session Variables

You can use the IF directive to show different content based on the session variables or page items, such as displaying a personalized message for the logged-in user.

Steps:

1. Create a Static Content Region on your page.

2. In the HTML Expression field, add the following code:

#{if &APP_USER. == 'ADMIN'}

    <h2>Welcome, Administrator!</h2>

    <p>You have full access to the application.</p>

#{else}

    <h2>Welcome, &APP_USER.!</h2>

    <p>Limited access based on your role.</p>

#{/if}

• Explanation: In this example, if the logged-in user (&APP_USER.) is "ADMIN", the region will display a message for the administrator. Otherwise, it will display a generic message for all other users.

Expected Output:

• If the logged-in user is "ADMIN":

• Welcome, Administrator!

• You have full access to the application.

• If the logged-in user is not "ADMIN":

• Welcome, JohnDoe!

• Limited access based on your role.

Example 2: Show or Hide Regions Based on Item Value

You can also use If condition directives to conditionally show or hide regions based on a page item value.

Steps:

1. Create a Page Item: Create a page item (e.g., a checkbox or select list) called P1_SHOW_DETAILS.

2. Create a Region: Create a Static Content region where you want to display conditional content.

3. In the HTML Expression field, use the following code:

#{if :P1_SHOW_DETAILS == 'Y'}

    <h3>Details Section</h3>

    <p>This section contains additional information.</p>

#{else}

    <h3>Details Section</h3>

    <p>This section is hidden because the checkbox is not checked.</p>

#{/if}

• Explanation: This code checks the value of P1_SHOW_DETAILS (a page item). If it is set to 'Y' (checked or selected), the content in the if block is shown. Otherwise, the else block content is shown.

Expected Output:

• If P1_SHOW_DETAILS is set to 'Y':

• Details Section

• This section contains additional information.

• If P1_SHOW_DETAILS is set to 'N':

• Details Section

• This section is hidden because the checkbox is not checked.

Example 3: Conditional Display of Regions Based on Application Item

You can conditionally display regions based on application items, such as checking whether a user is logged in or not.

Steps:

1. Create an Application Item: Create an application item, e.g., APP_USER_LOGGED_IN.

2. Set the Application Item: You can set APP_USER_LOGGED_IN in a login process to 'Y' if the user is logged in.

3. Create a Region: Add a Static Content region with the following HTML Expression:

#{if :APP_USER_LOGGED_IN == 'Y'}

    <h2>Welcome back, &APP_USER.!</h2>

    <p>Your previous session was restored.</p>

#{else}

    <h2>Welcome to the Application</h2>

    <p>Please log in to access your data.</p>

#{/if}

• Explanation: This will display a message to the user based on whether they are logged in or not. The APP_USER_LOGGED_IN application item determines if the user is logged in.

Expected Output:

• If APP_USER_LOGGED_IN is 'Y':

• Welcome back, JohnDoe!

• Your previous session was restored.

• If APP_USER_LOGGED_IN is 'N':

• Welcome to the Application

• Please log in to access your data.

Example 4: Using IF Directive in Dynamic Actions

You can also use the IF condition within Dynamic Actions to execute actions based on conditions, such as page item values or session states.

Steps:

1. Create a Page Item: Create a page item (e.g., P1_STATUS).

2. Create a Dynamic Action: Create a Dynamic Action triggered by a change in P1_STATUS.

3. Set the Action Type: Use Execute JavaScript as the action and add the following JavaScript code:

if ("#{P1_STATUS}" == "ACTIVE") {

    alert("The status is active!");

} else {

    alert("The status is not active.");

}

• Explanation: This JavaScript code checks the value of the P1_STATUS page item. If it is set to 'ACTIVE', it shows an alert stating that the status is active. Otherwise, it shows a different message.

Expected Output:

• If P1_STATUS is "ACTIVE":

• Alert: "The status is active!"

• If P1_STATUS is not "ACTIVE":

• Alert: "The status is not active."

Step 3: Advanced Conditional Logic

You can combine multiple conditions using AND, OR, and other logical operators to create more advanced logic within your IF directives.

Example: Check Multiple Conditions

#{if &APP_USER. == 'ADMIN' && :P1_STATUS == 'ACTIVE'}

    <p>Welcome back, Admin. The status is active!</p>

#{else}

    <p>Either you are not an Admin, or the status is not active.</p>

#{/if}

• Explanation: In this case, the IF condition checks two things: if the user is "ADMIN" and if the page item P1_STATUS is set to 'ACTIVE'. If both conditions are true, the first message will be displayed. Otherwise, the else message will be shown.

By using these directives, you can create flexible and responsive applications that adapt to different user interactions, session states, or data values.

Adding If Condition Directives enhances the user experience by reducing clutter and preventing invalid or unnecessary interactions. It also improves application performance by ensuring that only relevant processes run when needed. Mastering the use of these directives is a key skill in building clean, secure, and personalized Oracle APEX applications that adapt to user context and input.