Using Oracle APEX, you can fill a form with data passed through URL parameters, enabling dynamic and context-sensitive page behavior. This technique allows developers to pre-populate form fields based on values included in the URL, streamlining user input and improving navigation between pages. By capturing these parameters and mapping them to form items, you create a seamless experience where forms are automatically filled with relevant data upon page load, reducing manual entry and potential errors.
To fill a form with data from a URL in Oracle APEX, you leverage URL parameters to pass values into page items, which are the fields on your form. This method allows you to pre-populate form fields dynamically when the page loads, improving user experience by reducing manual data entry and enabling seamless navigation between related pages.
Steps to Fill a Form with Data from a URL:
-
Identify the Form Page and Items
First, determine which page contains the form you want to populate. Note the page number and the names of the form items (e.g., P10_FIRST_NAME, P10_LAST_NAME) you want to fill. -
Construct the URL with Parameters
Create a URL that passes values to these form items using the syntax:
f?p=App_ID:Page_ID:Session_ID::Request:Debug:ClearCache:item_names:item_values
For example, to fill the form on page 10 with first name “John” and last name “Doe”:f?p=100:10:&SESSION.::NO::P10_FIRST_NAME,P10_LAST_NAME:John,DoeHere,
100is the application ID,10is the form page number, and&SESSION.is a substitution for the current session ID. -
Configure Page Items to Accept URL Values
Ensure the form page items are set to “Source” type “Always, replacing any existing value.” This allows the page items to accept and display the values passed via URL every time the page is loaded. -
Use Branches or Processes if Needed
If additional processing or validation is required based on the passed data, use page processes or branches to handle that logic during page load or submission. -
Test the URL
Navigate to the constructed URL in your browser. The form should open with the specified fields pre-filled with the values passed in the URL.
Additional Tips:
-
Make sure item names in the URL exactly match the page item names.
-
Use URL encoding if parameter values contain special characters or spaces.
-
This technique is often used in master-detail pages or when linking from summary reports to detailed edit forms.
By using URL parameters to fill form fields, you provide users with a faster, more intuitive workflow, reducing errors and improving overall application usability.
Example
Filling a Form with Data from a URL in Oracle APEX
Oracle APEX allows passing values through the URL to populate form fields dynamically. This is useful for pre-filling forms based on user selections or external links.
How URL Parameters Work in APEX
APEX uses the following URL structure to pass values:
f?p=App_ID:Page_ID:Session:Request:Debug:ClearCache:itemNames:itemValues
App_ID - The Application ID
Page_ID - The Page Number where the form exists
Session - The session value (use &SESSION. to auto-populate)
Request - Can be used for button processing or custom actions
Debug - Debug mode (set to NO or YES)
ClearCache - Clears session values (RP for resetting page items)
itemNames - The page item(s) to set values for
itemValues - The corresponding values for those items
Method 1: Pre-Filling a Form Using URL Parameters
If you have a form on Page 2 with fields P2_NAME and P2_EMAIL, you can pre-fill them using a URL like this:
f?p=100:2:&SESSION.::NO:RP:P2_NAME,P2_EMAIL:John,Doe@example.com
When users visit this URL, the P2_NAME field will be set to John, and the P2_EMAIL field will be set to Doe@example.com.
Steps to Implement
Create a Form Page in APEX with items like P2_NAME and P2_EMAIL.
Ensure these fields have Source set to Only When Current Value is Null to allow URL values.
Share the generated URL for pre-filling the form.
Method 2: Using JavaScript to Read URL Parameters
If you need to process URL parameters dynamically, use JavaScript.
Step 1: Add JavaScript to Your Form Page
Go to Page Designer > Execute When Page Loads, then insert:
function getParameterByName(name) {
let url = new URL(window.location.href);
return url.searchParams.get(name);
}
let nameValue = getParameterByName("P2_NAME");
let emailValue = getParameterByName("P2_EMAIL");
if (nameValue) {
$s("P2_NAME", nameValue);
}
if (emailValue) {
$s("P2_EMAIL", emailValue);
}
Step 2: Test the URL
Use this URL format to test:
f?p=100:2:&SESSION.::NO:RP:P2_NAME,P2_EMAIL:John,Doe@example.com
This will extract values from the URL and fill the form fields using JavaScript.
Method 3: Using PL/SQL to Process URL Parameters
Sometimes, you may want to process URL parameters before displaying them on the form. You can do this using a Before Header PL/SQL Process.
Steps to Implement
In Page Designer, go to Processing > Before Header.
Create a new PL/SQL Process with this code:
BEGIN
:P2_NAME := NVL(:P2_NAME, 'Default Name');
:P2_EMAIL := NVL(:P2_EMAIL, 'default@example.com');
END;
Save and Run the page.
If values are not passed in the URL, the fields will use the default values.
Best Practices
Use URL Encoding: If passing values that contain special characters (&, ?, /), encode them using JavaScript’s encodeURIComponent().
Security Considerations: Do not pass sensitive information (like passwords) in URLs. Use session state protection for security.
Clear Cache if Needed: If a user reloads the page, cached values may persist. Use RP in the URL to reset fields.
Filling a form with data from a URL in Oracle APEX is a simple yet powerful way to enhance user experience. You can use direct URL parameters, JavaScript, or PL/SQL depending on your requirements.
EXAMPLE:
Forms do not operate like a classic report. In order to make a form fill with data you need to create a “Pre-rendering” process that will fire off the loading of data.
In this example we are using the EMPLOYEES table provided with APEX. For our test there is an initiating page that has a link that has two values:
The textbox that we are passing the data into. In this case “P10_EMPNO”.
The value that we are passing into that textbox. In this case “EMPNO”.
The code that we are using to generate the link looks something like the following code:
select "EMPNO",
null LINK_CLASS,
apex_page.get_url(p_items => 'P10_EMPNO', p_values => "EMPNO") LINK,
null ICON_CLASS,
null LINK_ATTR,
null ICON_COLOR_CLASS,
case when coalesce(:P9_EMPNO,'0') = "EMPNO"
then 'is-active'
else ' '
end LIST_CLASS,
(substr("ENAME", 1, 50)||( case when length("ENAME") > 50 then '...' else '' end )) LIST_TITLE,
(substr("JOB", 1, 50)||( case when length("JOB") > 50 then '...' else '' end )) LIST_TEXT,
null LIST_BADGE
from "EMP" x
where (:P9_SEARCH is null
or upper(x."ENAME") like '%'||upper(:P9_SEARCH)||'%'
or upper(x."JOB") like '%'||upper(:P9_SEARCH)||'%'
)
order by "ENAME"
Step 1 – Add a form to an empty page
On the body of the page right click and then select Create Region.
Make the region a form and name it Form Region
Select the data table name
Step 2 – Create a process
At the Pre-Rendering section right click Create Process
Select Type : “Form-Initialization” and select the appropriate form region name
Make sure that the Execution is as follows
Step 3 – Set the page Security to “Unrestricted”
Step 4 – Set the receiving control Security to “Unrestricted”
That’s it. It should work.
In conclusion, filling a form with data from a URL in Oracle APEX is a powerful method to enhance user interaction and application efficiency. By leveraging URL parameters and page item mappings, developers can create responsive forms that adapt to different scenarios and inputs. This approach not only saves time but also ensures data consistency and improves overall user satisfaction within the application.
