Formatted Reports (Commercial Invoice) in Oracle APEX - Part 34

Tech Mining

12 Dec 202216:07

Summary

TLDRIn this Tech mining video, the tutorial guides viewers through creating a parameterized form to generate commercial invoices for specific orders. The process involves setting up a list of values, designing a report query, and utilizing an XML file to define the report layout. The video also demonstrates how to create an invoice template in Microsoft Word and upload it to Oracle Apex for automated printing. The final steps include testing the system to ensure it fetches and prints orders based on user input.

Takeaways

📝 The video tutorial focuses on creating a parameterized form to print specific orders using a report query in Oracle Apex.
🔍 It uses techniques similar to those in a previous video to generate commercial invoices for placed orders.
📋 The process begins by creating a list of values in the shared components interface for user selection.
👤 A select list is added to the form to display user IDs, allowing the user to select one for printing orders entered by that user.
🔑 The default value for the select list is the ID of the logged-in user.
🔘 A button is created for submitting the page and sending a print request to the print server.
💾 The report query is designed to filter data using parameters passed from the form.
📑 The report layout is exported as an XML file, which is used in subsequent steps.
📝 An invoice template is created in Microsoft Word, using the XML file from the previous step.
🖱️ The template is formatted to print each new invoice on a separate page and includes a table for field placement.
📁 The RTF template is then uploaded to Oracle Apex for use in the report generation process.
📈 The final step includes testing the functionality, accessing the page from the main navigation menu, and verifying the printing of specific records based on user input.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video?
-The video is about creating a parameters form to print specific orders by passing parameter values to an underlying report query in a tech application.
What techniques are used in this video?
-The techniques used in this video are similar to those used in a previous video, focusing on generating commercial invoices for placed orders.
Where can I find the list of values used in the shared components interface?
-The list of values is created from scratch in the shared components interface, and the file used is provided in the description of the video or in the Part 9 folder.
What is the purpose of the blank page created in the video?
-The blank page is created to receive parameters that will be used to print specific invoices.
How many page items are added under the invoice report region?
-Two page items are added under the invoice report region.
What is the function of the select list added under the text field items?
-The select list displays the IDs of all users, allowing the user to select one ID to print the orders entered by that particular user.
What is the default value for the select list showing user IDs?
-The default value for the select list is the ID of the logged-in user.
What happens when the button on the page is clicked?
-When the button is clicked, the page is submitted, and an associated branch forwards a print request to the print server.
What is the purpose of the report query created for the invoice?
-The report query filters data using parameters passed to it from the page, allowing for the generation of invoices based on specific criteria.
What file format is the report definition exported as?
-The report definition is exported as an XML file named 'invoice XML'.
How is the invoice template created in Microsoft Word?
-The invoice template is created by following specific steps, including formatting the template and inserting a table to place fields accordingly, using the XML file from the previous step.
What file format should the completed invoice template be saved as?
-The completed invoice template should be saved as a Rich Text Format (RTF) file.
How is the RTF template uploaded to Oracle Apex?
-The RTF template is uploaded to Oracle Apex by calling Page 50 in the page designer and creating a specific branch to handle the print request.
How can the print request be accessed from the main navigation menu?
-The print request can be accessed from the main navigation menu under 'Advance Reports' by selecting the 'Customer Invoice' option.
What happens when a specific order number is entered in the form?
-When a specific order number is entered, the system will fetch and display the record of that specific order if it exists.

Outlines

00:00

📝 Creating a Parameterized Form for Order Reports

This paragraph introduces the video's objective to create a parameters form for generating specific order reports. The process involves using techniques from a previous video to generate commercial invoices for placed orders. The video begins with creating a list of values in the shared components interface, which will be used to filter orders by user selection. The list is utilized to print orders entered by the selected user. The video also provides a file in the description for reference, which can be accessed by opening the Part 9 folder.

05:11

🖨️ Setting Up the Invoice Report Query and Template

The second paragraph details the creation of a report query for invoices, which filters data using parameters passed from a page definition. It explains the process of exporting the report layout as an XML file named 'invoice XML'. The viewer is then guided to open Microsoft Word to create an invoice template, using the previously saved XML file. The template is formatted to print each new invoice on a separate page, with a table to organize the fields. The template is saved in Rich Text Format (RTF) and is also provided in the source code's Part 9 folder.

10:26

🔗 Uploading the RTF Template and Testing the Print Function

In this paragraph, the focus is on uploading the RTF template to Oracle Apex and setting up a branch in the page designer to handle the print request when the 'Print Invoice' button is clicked. It emphasizes the importance of ensuring the request value is properly formatted without leading or trailing spaces. After saving the work, the video demonstrates testing the functionality by accessing the page from the main navigation menu and entering specific user IDs to display the corresponding orders. The testing shows how entering a user ID fetches all records entered by that user, and entering an order number brings up the specific record if it exists.

15:27

👋 Closing Remarks and Invitation to the Next Video

The final paragraph serves as a conclusion to the video, thanking viewers for watching and inviting them to join the next video in the series. It summarizes the functionality demonstrated, where entering a specific order number will display only that particular record if it is available in the system.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Tech mining

Tech mining refers to the process of extracting valuable insights from technological data, often through the use of analytics and visualization tools. In the context of the video, it likely refers to the act of mining data within a technological system, such as Oracle APEX, to generate reports and invoices. The video script suggests that the tutorial will guide viewers on how to use specific parameters to print orders and generate commercial invoices.

💡Parameters

Parameters are variables or values that are used to define the behavior of a function or system. In the video, parameters are used to filter and print specific orders by passing specific values to a report query. This allows for customization of the report output based on user-selected criteria.

💡Shared Components Interface

The Shared Components Interface in Oracle APEX is a place where developers can define and manage components that can be reused across multiple pages or applications. In the video, it is mentioned as the place where a list of values is created, which will be used in the next steps to filter orders based on user selection.

💡List of Values

A List of Values (LOV) in Oracle APEX is a predefined set of options that can be used in various user interface elements such as select lists. In the script, the LOV is utilized to allow users to select which orders to print, based on the orders entered by a specific user.

💡Report Query

A report query is a SQL statement used to retrieve data from a database for reporting purposes. In the video, the report query filters data using parameters passed to it from the page, allowing for the generation of invoices based on specific criteria.

💡Invoice

An invoice is a document issued by a seller to a buyer, indicating the products, quantities, and agreed prices for goods or services the seller has provided to the buyer. The video's main theme revolves around generating these commercial invoices for placed orders using the techniques discussed.

💡XML Data Source

XML (eXtensible Markup Language) is used to store and transport data. In the context of the video, the XML data source is used to define the structure and layout of the report, which is then exported as an XML file named 'invoice.xml' for use in the report layout.

💡Microsoft Word

Microsoft Word is a word processing software used for creating documents and templates. The video script mentions using Word to create an invoice template, which will be formatted and later used to generate the printed invoices.

💡RTF Format

RTF (Rich Text Format) is a document file format that enables the inclusion of formatting and styling information. In the video, the invoice template created in Microsoft Word is saved in RTF format to preserve the formatting when it is uploaded to Oracle APEX.

💡Oracle APEX

Oracle APEX (Application Express) is a low-code development platform that enables developers to build scalable and secure enterprise apps. The video script discusses using Oracle APEX to create a parameters form, generate invoices, and upload the RTF template for printing.

💡Branch

In Oracle APEX, a branch is a conditional section of code that is executed based on certain conditions. In the video, a branch is created to handle the print request when the 'Print Invoice' button is clicked, ensuring that the correct data is sent to the print server.

Highlights

Introduction to creating a parameters form to print specific orders via a report query in Tech mining video.

Utilizing shared components interface to create a list of values for user-selected orders.

Explanation of how to print only those orders entered by the user selected from the list.

Creation of a blank page for receiving parameters to print specific invoices.

Adding page items under the invoice report region for printing single or range of orders.

Inclusion of a select list to show user IDs for printing orders by specific users.

Setting the default value of the select list to the ID of the logged-in user.

Creation of a button for submitting the page and forwarding a print request to the server.

Saving work with the save button and its significance in the workflow.

Creating a report query for the invoice that filters data using parameters from page 50.

Exporting report definition as an XML file for use in subsequent steps.

Opening MS Word to create an invoice template using the previously saved XML file.

Formatting the template in MS Word by following specific steps for layout and design.

Insertion of a table in the template to place fields accordingly.

Saving the template as an RTF file and its subsequent upload to Oracle Apex.

Creating a branch in the page designer to send a print request when the print invoice button is clicked.

Ensuring the request value contains no leading or trailing spaces for proper functionality.

Testing the work by accessing the page from the main navigation menu and observing the results.

Demonstration of fetching records by entering a specific user's name and observing the corresponding orders.

Highlighting the ability to display specific records by entering an order number if it exists.

Closing remarks and anticipation for the next video in the series.