How Do I Use the Content Row Component in Oracle APEX

The Content Row component in Oracle APEX is a key layout element used to organize regions and components horizontally across a page. It acts as a container that groups one or more columns or regions side-by-side, allowing developers to create structured, responsive designs. Content Rows work in conjunction with Columns and Content Blocks to build flexible and modern page layouts that adapt well to different screen sizes.

How to Use the Content Row Component in Oracle APEX

Using the Content Row component involves arranging regions inside rows and columns to create a grid-based layout. Here’s a detailed explanation of how to implement and configure Content Rows:

1. Add a Content Row Region

   • In Oracle APEX App Builder, open the page where you want to organize content.

   • Click + Add Region.

   • Select Content Row from the list of region types.

   • Give the row a descriptive name to identify its purpose.

2. Add Columns Within the Content Row

   • Once the Content Row is created, add Content Column regions inside it.

   • Columns can be configured with specific widths (for example, 1/3, 1/2, 2/3) depending on the grid system.

   • Columns hold the actual content regions like reports, charts, or text.

3. Place Regions Inside Columns

   • Within each column, add your content regions such as Reports, Forms, or Content Blocks.

   • These regions will display horizontally side-by-side in the row.

   • You can nest rows and columns for complex layouts.

4. Configure Responsive Behavior

   • Content Rows and Columns use APEX’s built-in responsive grid.

   • Set breakpoints or use default behavior to ensure columns stack vertically on smaller screens.

   • You can adjust padding, margins, and alignment for rows and columns.

5. Customize Appearance

   • Apply CSS classes or inline styles for spacing, background color, or borders.

   • Use the Template Options to control the look and feel of rows and columns.

   • Use the Page Designer’s Layout tab to drag and drop regions and rearrange the layout visually.

Examples

Example 1: Two-Column Layout

• Content Row with two columns each occupying 50% width.

• Left column contains a Classic Report.

• Right column contains a Chart Region.

Example 2: Three-Column Feature Section

• Content Row with three equal-width columns.

• Each column displays a Content Block describing a product feature.

Example 3: Nested Rows for Complex Layout

• A Content Row with two columns.

• The right column contains another nested Content Row with two columns, showing multiple charts.

Best Practices

• Plan your page layout in advance, considering the flow and importance of content.

• Use Content Rows and Columns consistently for better maintenance.

• Test layouts on multiple screen sizes to ensure responsive behavior.

• Avoid overcrowding rows with too many columns; keep it simple for readability.

• Use Template Options to maintain visual consistency.

• Leverage APEX’s drag-and-drop features in Page Designer to quickly build and modify layouts.

Content Row is a theme component that is suitable for displaying most types of content. This component features a column for an icon, title and description, miscellaneous attributes, and actions.

Example:

SQL Query:

select t.ID,

       t.PROJECT,

       t.PARENT_TASK,

       t.TASK_NAME,

       t.START_DATE,

       t.END_DATE,

       t.STATUS,

       t.ASSIGNED_TO,

       p.project as proj_name,

       case t.status

         when 'Open'    then 'fa-exclamation-circle-o'

         when 'Closed'  then 'fa-check-circle u-success-text'

         when 'On-Hold' then 'fa-minus-circle u-danger-text'

         when 'Pending' then 'fa-exclamation-triangle u-warning-text'

       end icon_class

  from EBA_UT_CHART_TASKS t,

       EBA_UT_CHART_PROJECTS p

  where t.project = p.id

  order by p.created

Attributes:

Oracle APEX Documentation

For detailed information on Content Rows and responsive layouts, refer to the official Oracle APEX documentation:
https://docs.oracle.com/en/database/oracle/apex/
Search for “Content Row” and “Grid Layout” for examples and best practices.

Conclusion

The Content Row component is essential for building clean, structured, and responsive layouts in Oracle APEX. By grouping regions horizontally into rows and columns, you can design pages that organize content logically and look great on any device. Using Content Rows effectively enhances both the usability and visual appeal of your applications, making them easier to navigate and more professional in appearance.

How Do I Use the Content Block Component in Oracle APEX

The Content Block component in Oracle APEX is a versatile layout region that allows developers to organize content in structured, visually appealing blocks. It is commonly used to create modern, responsive page designs with sections such as feature highlights, service descriptions, marketing content, or dashboards. The Content Block provides a flexible container to hold text, images, buttons, or other components while maintaining a consistent and clean design without custom coding.

How to Use the Content Block Component in Oracle APEX

Using the Content Block component is straightforward and declarative. Here is a detailed explanation of how to use it effectively:

1. Add a Content Block Region

   • Open your Oracle APEX application in the App Builder.

   • Navigate to the page where you want to add content blocks.

   • Click + Add Region and select Content Block from the available region types.

   • Give the region a meaningful name that reflects its purpose, such as "Feature Highlights" or "Service Overview."

2. Configure the Content Block

   • Within the Content Block region, you can add static content or nested regions such as HTML, text, buttons, or images.

   • Use the Region Display Selector or region positioning to arrange multiple content blocks on the page.

   • You can define headers, footers, and body content for each block.

   • Customize the layout by choosing from different templates or styles that come with APEX themes.

3. Add Content Inside Content Blocks

   • Add text or HTML using the Static Content region type nested inside the Content Block.

   • Use images or media by uploading files to Static Application Files and referencing them inside the block.

   • Incorporate interactive components such as buttons or links.

   • Leverage CSS classes for further styling if needed.

4. Use Multiple Content Blocks for Layout

   • Combine multiple Content Blocks to create columns, rows, or grids.

   • Set appropriate region display properties to control spacing and alignment.

   • Use APEX’s Grid Layout system to ensure responsiveness on different devices.

5. Responsive Design and Customization

   • Content Blocks support responsive behavior by default.

   • Adjust padding, margins, and background colors using region template options or custom CSS.

   • Add conditional display logic to show or hide content blocks dynamically based on user roles or data.

Examples

Example 1: Marketing Page Feature Section

• A Content Block with three columns, each highlighting a product feature with an icon, title, and description.

Example 2: Dashboard Summary

• Multiple Content Blocks arranged in a grid layout, each displaying a KPI or chart summary.

Example 3: Service Overview

• A large Content Block with a background image, heading, and call-to-action button.

Best Practices

• Use clear and concise headings for each content block to improve readability.

• Limit the amount of content per block to keep the page clean and user-friendly.

• Leverage APEX templates and CSS classes to maintain design consistency.

• Test your layout on multiple devices to ensure responsiveness.

• Use region display selectors to allow users to collapse or expand content blocks if needed.

• Keep content blocks modular to make maintenance and updates easier.

Available Options

• Add Body Padding

• Show region Icon

Example:

Region Title	Body style	Header	Heading Font
Large	Default	Visible- Default	Default
Medium	Shadow Background	Hidden	Alternative
Small	Light Background	Hidden but Accessible

Heading level	Item Spacing	Item Size	Item Width	Label Assignment	Label Position
Default	Default	Default	Default	Right	Inline - default
H1	Standard	Large	Stretch Form Fields	Left	Show Form Label Above
H2	Slim	X- Large
H3	None
H4
H5
H6

Sort Order Alignment	Top Margin	Bottom Margin	Left Margin	Right Margin
Default	Default	Default	Default	Default
Center	None	None	None	None
End	Small	Small	Small	Small
	Medium	Medium	Medium	Medium
	Large	Large	Large	Large

Oracle APEX Documentation

For more information on using Content Blocks and layout management in Oracle APEX, visit:
https://docs.oracle.com/en/database/oracle/apex
Search for "Content Block Region" and "Page Layout" to explore detailed guides and examples.

Conclusion

The Content Block component in Oracle APEX provides an easy, flexible way to organize and display content in well-structured sections. Its built-in responsiveness and support for various nested components make it an ideal choice for modern web applications requiring clean, modular layouts. By using Content Blocks effectively, you can create engaging pages that are visually appealing, easy to maintain, and user-friendly across all devices.