How do I Create a Classic Report

Creating a Classic Report in Oracle APEX is a foundational skill for developers looking to display structured data in a clear and efficient manner. Classic Reports allow you to present data retrieved from your database using a simple SQL query, formatted into an easy-to-read tabular layout. This report type is highly customizable and lightweight, making it ideal for applications that require fast performance and straightforward data presentation without the advanced features of Interactive Reports. Understanding how to create and configure Classic Reports empowers you to quickly build robust pages that display information clearly to end users.

Creating a Classic Report in Oracle APEX involves several straightforward steps that allow you to display data from your database in a simple, tabular format. Classic Reports are based on SQL queries that retrieve data and present it as HTML tables, making them easy to understand and customize.

To create a Classic Report, first open your Oracle APEX application and navigate to the Application Builder. From there, click on the page where you want to add the report or create a new page specifically for the report. Select "Create Page" and then choose "Report" followed by "Classic Report."

Next, you will need to specify the source of the report data. Typically, this involves writing a SQL query that defines which columns and rows you want to display. For example, a basic SQL query could be:

SELECT employee_id, first_name, last_name, department_id FROM employees;

After entering the query, Oracle APEX automatically formats the results into a report layout. You can then customize the report appearance by adjusting column headers, widths, alignments, and adding sorting or filtering options.

Additional customization options include setting pagination for large datasets, formatting numeric or date columns using format masks, and adding links or buttons to report rows for navigation or actions.

Finally, save the page and run the application to see the Classic Report in action. You can return anytime to modify the SQL query, appearance, or behavior of the report to better suit your application needs.

By following these steps, you create a flexible and efficient Classic Report that displays your data clearly while allowing for further customization as your application evolves.

Creating a Classic Report in Oracle Application Express (APEX) is a straightforward process that allows you to present data in a tabular format. Here's how you can create one:

      Select the application where you want to add the Classic Report.

1. Initiate the Page Creation:

• In the App Builder, click on Create Page.

• The "Create Page" wizard will appear, offering various component options.

2. Select Classic Report:

• Under the Component section, choose Classic Report.

• Click Next to proceed.

3. Define Page Attributes:

• Page Name: Enter a name for the report page.

• Data Source: Select the source of your data:

• Table or View: Choose this if you want to base the report on a specific table or view.

• SQL Query: Opt for this if you have a custom SQL query to retrieve the data.

• Include Form: Decide whether to include a form page for creating or updating records alongside the report.

• Click Next after setting these attributes.

4. Set Navigation Options:

• Use Breadcrumb: Enable this if you want the page to appear in the breadcrumb navigation.

• Use Navigation: Enable this if you want the page to appear in the application's navigation menu.

• Click Next to continue.

5. Review and Create:

• Review all your selections.

• Click Create Page to generate the Classic Report.

Once the page is created, you can further customize the report's appearance and functionality using the Page Designer. This includes adjusting region attributes, adding filters, and modifying column settings to enhance user interaction.

Run your page. You should see something like the following, with the State_ID column empty.

In conclusion, Classic Reports remain a vital tool within Oracle APEX for delivering fast, customizable, and reliable data presentations. By mastering the creation and configuration of Classic Reports, developers can ensure their applications provide users with clear insights while maintaining performance and simplicity. Whether used for dashboards, summaries, or detailed listings, Classic Reports form the backbone of many Oracle APEX applications and should be part of every developer’s skill set. 

How do I Create Security Considerations in Classic Reports

 Classic Reports in Oracle APEX are powerful tools for displaying data, but ensuring their security is essential to protect sensitive information and maintain application integrity. Security considerations in Classic Reports involve controlling data access, preventing SQL injection, managing user privileges, and ensuring that reports do not expose confidential or unauthorized data. Understanding how to implement these measures is crucial for developers to build robust and secure applications.

Creating security considerations in Classic Reports within Oracle APEX is essential to protect sensitive data, control access, and maintain application integrity. Here is a detailed guide on how to implement security best practices when working with Classic Reports:

1. Control Data Access with Authorization Schemes
   Authorization schemes are fundamental in restricting who can view or interact with reports. In APEX:

   • Navigate to Shared Components > Authorization Schemes.

   • Create schemes based on roles, user groups, or custom PL/SQL logic.

   • Apply the appropriate authorization scheme to the Classic Report page or region to restrict access.
     This ensures only authorized users can see the report data.

2. Use Bind Variables and Avoid Dynamic SQL in Report Queries
   To prevent SQL injection, avoid concatenating user inputs directly into SQL queries. Instead, use bind variables or APEX item references. For example:

   SELECT employee_id, first_name FROM employees WHERE department_id = :P1_DEPT_ID  
   

   This approach ensures the query is safe from injection attacks.

3. Filter Data Based on User Context
   Implement row-level security by filtering data according to the current user’s privileges or roles. For example, include conditions in your SQL to show data relevant only to the logged-in user or their department:

   WHERE user_id = :APP_USER  
   

   or use custom PL/SQL functions to verify access rights.

4. Prevent Exposure of Sensitive Columns
   Exclude sensitive columns like passwords, personal information, or financial data from your report queries or mark them as hidden columns. Use report column settings to hide or mask data when needed.

5. Apply Session State Protection
   Enable Session State Protection in the report page to ensure that page items and URL parameters are not tampered with by malicious users. This protects parameters that influence the report’s data.

6. Validate User Input Thoroughly
   If the report accepts user input (filters, search criteria), validate inputs using APEX validations or custom PL/SQL to ensure only expected values are processed.

7. Limit Data Volume to Avoid Denial of Service
   Use pagination and limit the number of rows returned by the report to prevent excessive data loads that could affect performance or cause denial-of-service issues.

8. Audit Report Access if Necessary
   For highly sensitive data, consider adding logging or auditing triggers to record when users access reports or specific data sets.

By following these detailed steps, you can ensure your Classic Reports in Oracle APEX are secure, provide only authorized data, and protect your application and users from common security threats.

Classic Reports allow raw HTML, which means unescaped data can lead to security risks like Cross-Site Scripting (XSS). To prevent this:

• Always escape output using htf.escape_sc()

• Use APEX functions like APEX_ESCAPE.HTML()

Example: Preventing XSS in a Classic Report Query

SELECT EMPLOYEE_ID, APEX_ESCAPE.HTML(FIRST_NAME), APEX_ESCAPE.HTML(LAST_NAME) FROM EMPLOYEES;

This ensures that any special characters entered by users do not break the page or execute malicious scripts

Classic Reports in Oracle APEX provide a simple, high-performance, and customizable way to display data. They are ideal for applications where interactive features like column filtering are not needed, but structured and efficient data presentation is required.

By leveraging PL/SQL, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, developers can enhance Classic Reports to create powerful, user-friendly reports that meet business needs.

By carefully applying security best practices when creating Classic Reports, developers can safeguard their applications against common vulnerabilities. This not only protects the data but also builds user trust and complies with organizational security policies. Proper security configuration ensures that reports display only appropriate information and that any interaction with the data remains safe and controlled.

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.

How do I Add Pagination for Large Datasets

 Handling large datasets efficiently is crucial in Oracle APEX applications to ensure fast loading times and a smooth user experience. One effective way to manage this is by adding pagination to your reports and data displays. Pagination divides the dataset into manageable pages, allowing users to navigate through data without overwhelming the browser or the server with excessive information all at once. This technique not only improves performance but also enhances readability and usability when working with extensive records.

In Oracle APEX, adding pagination for large datasets is essential to improve application performance and user experience. Pagination breaks down large query results into smaller, more manageable pages, reducing load times and making navigation through data easier.

Classic Reports support automatic pagination, which helps display large amounts of data efficiently. This prevents performance issues when dealing with thousands of rows.

Pagination settings can be configured in the Report Attributes section:

• Rows per Page: Defines how many records appear per page

• Pagination Type: Options include "Link to Next Set of Rows", "Row Ranges", and "Scroll"

This makes Classic Reports useful for handling large tables without affecting performance.

To add pagination in Oracle APEX, follow these detailed steps:

1. Create or Edit Your Report Region
   Typically, pagination is applied to report regions like Classic Reports, Interactive Reports, or Interactive Grids. Begin by creating a new report page or editing an existing one that displays your large dataset.

2. Use Built-in Pagination Controls

   • Interactive Reports and Interactive Grids:
     Pagination is enabled by default. Users can navigate pages using the pagination bar at the bottom or top of the report, and you can customize the number of rows displayed per page.
     To adjust the pagination settings:

     • Go to the report region attributes.

     • Locate the “Pagination” section.

     • Set the “Rows per Page” value to a suitable number (e.g., 10, 25, 50, 100). This controls how many rows show on each page.

     • Optionally, allow the user to change rows per page by enabling the “Show Rows Per Page” control.

3. For Classic Reports
   Classic Reports do not have built-in pagination like Interactive Reports, but you can implement pagination manually by:

   • Using the ROWNUM or ROW_NUMBER() analytic function in your SQL query to limit rows displayed based on page number and page size.

   • Creating page items or application items for “Current Page” and “Rows Per Page.”

   • Using these values in your SQL query’s WHERE clause to fetch only the relevant rows for the current page.

   • Adding buttons or links to navigate between pages, updating the “Current Page” value accordingly.

4. Example SQL for Pagination in Classic Reports

WITH PaginatedData AS (
  SELECT
    your_columns,
    ROW_NUMBER() OVER (ORDER BY some_column) AS rn
  FROM your_table
)
SELECT *
FROM PaginatedData
WHERE rn BETWEEN :P1_PAGE * :P1_ROWS_PER_PAGE - :P1_ROWS_PER_PAGE + 1
  AND :P1_PAGE * :P1_ROWS_PER_PAGE

In this example, :P1_PAGE is the current page number, and :P1_ROWS_PER_PAGE is the number of rows per page.

5. Enhance User Navigation
   To improve usability, add page navigation buttons or links (First, Previous, Next, Last) and ensure the current page number is visible. You can implement these as buttons or dynamic actions that change the current page value and refresh the report region.

6. Performance Considerations
   Pagination not only improves user experience but also reduces database workload by fetching only a subset of data per request. Always use efficient queries with proper indexing on sorting columns to optimize pagination performance.

By leveraging built-in pagination features in Interactive Reports and Interactive Grids or implementing manual pagination for Classic Reports, you ensure your Oracle APEX applications handle large datasets efficiently and remain responsive for users.

Implementing pagination in Oracle APEX is straightforward and customizable, enabling you to control the number of rows per page and the navigation style. Properly configured pagination ensures that your application remains responsive and user-friendly, even as data grows in volume. By adopting pagination for large datasets, you improve both the efficiency and professionalism of your Oracle APEX applications, delivering a better experience for your end users.

How do I Link Classic Reports to Other Pages

 Linking Classic Reports to other pages in Oracle APEX allows you to create dynamic and interactive applications that guide users through related information effortlessly. By configuring links within your report columns, you can enable users to navigate directly from summarized data to detailed views, forms, or other relevant pages. This capability improves the overall usability of your application and provides a seamless flow between data displays.

Linking Classic Reports to other pages in Oracle APEX is a powerful way to create interactive and user-friendly applications. By adding links to report columns or rows, you allow users to navigate from a summarized data view to detailed pages, such as forms or other reports, with relevant information automatically passed along. This enhances user experience by providing seamless navigation and context-aware data display.

To link a Classic Report to another page, start by opening your application in Oracle APEX Application Builder. Navigate to the page containing the Classic Report you want to link. In the Page Designer, locate the region that holds your Classic Report and select the report column you want to turn into a link, often a primary key or descriptive field.

In the property editor for that column, find the "Link" section and enable the "Link" attribute. You will then specify the target page number — this is the page you want users to navigate to when they click the link. To pass relevant data, set the "Set Items" property with the name of page items on the target page (for example, P2_ID) and use the "With Values" property to pass the corresponding column value from the report (for example, #ID#). This dynamic substitution uses column substitution syntax to pass the correct value.

You can also customize the link text or add conditions to display the link only when appropriate. Additionally, setting link attributes such as opening the target page in a modal dialog or in a new browser tab can improve usability depending on your application’s workflow.

Once configured, save and run your application. When users click on the linked column in the Classic Report, they are taken to the specified page with the corresponding data preloaded. This technique helps build cohesive, multi-page applications where data flows smoothly and logically between pages.

By mastering linking in Classic Reports, you ensure users can easily drill down into detailed data, improving both navigation efficiency and the overall user experience in your Oracle APEX applications.

Classic Reports can be used to navigate to details pages using dynamic links.

Example: Creating a Link to an Employee Details Page

SELECT EMPLOYEE_ID, FIRST_NAME, LAST_NAME, 

       '<a href="f?p=&APP_ID.:10:&SESSION.::NO::P10_EMP_ID:' || EMPLOYEE_ID || '">View Details</a>' AS DETAILS

FROM EMPLOYEES;

Each row will include a "View Details" link that navigates to Page 10, passing the EMPLOYEE_ID as a parameter.

Implementing links in Classic Reports not only enhances navigation but also helps maintain context as users explore different parts of your application. By passing parameters and linking relevant pages, you ensure that users get the right data at the right time, making your Oracle APEX applications more efficient and user-friendly. Mastering this technique is essential for creating professional and well-structured web applications.

How do I Add Enhanced Data Presentation with Custom Column Formatting

 Using custom column formatting to enhance data presentation in Oracle APEX allows developers to make reports and tables more readable, visually appealing, and easier to interpret. By applying tailored formats to columns, such as number formats, color coding, icons, and conditional styles, you can highlight important information, improve user experience, and help users quickly identify trends and key data points. This blog page will guide you through the detailed steps and techniques for adding enhanced data presentation using custom column formatting in Oracle APEX.

In Oracle APEX, adding enhanced data presentation with custom column formatting significantly improves the readability and visual appeal of your reports and tables. This process involves configuring how data appears in report columns using formatting options, conditional styles, and custom HTML or CSS to highlight key information or create intuitive visual cues. Custom column formatting helps users quickly interpret data, identify trends, and focus on important metrics.

To add custom column formatting, start by navigating to your report region in the Application Builder. Open the report’s attributes and locate the column you want to format. For numeric columns, you can apply format masks like currency symbols, decimal places, or percentage formats directly in the column settings. For example, applying a format mask like $999,999.99 ensures monetary values are displayed consistently.

Next, use the "Column Formatting" section to define alignment (left, center, right) based on the data type, improving the layout and readability of text and numbers. You can also enable "Conditional Formatting" by creating rules that change the appearance of column values based on their content. For instance, use different background colors or font styles to highlight negative values in red or flag statuses such as "Completed" or "Pending" with green or yellow highlights respectively.

For more advanced customization, you can use the "HTML Expression" property for a column. This allows you to embed custom HTML tags, icons, or CSS classes dynamically. For example, you could include a colored status indicator or clickable links within cells. Additionally, you can define CSS classes either globally or within the page to control fonts, colors, borders, or any other styling properties, giving you complete control over the presentation.

Finally, preview your report to ensure the formatting works as expected across different browsers and devices. Adjust as needed to optimize both aesthetics and usability. By leveraging Oracle APEX’s flexible column formatting options, you create professional and user-friendly reports that communicate data effectively and enhance the overall application experience.

Classic Reports allow the use of HTML expressions to customize how data is displayed. This is useful for:

• Adding buttons within the report

• Embedding links to other pages

• Showing images/icons based on data

Example: Displaying a Button in Each Row

SELECT EMPLOYEE_ID, FIRST_NAME, LAST_NAME,

       '<button onclick="alert(''Selected Employee: ' || EMPLOYEE_ID || ''')">View</button>' AS ACTIONS

FROM EMPLOYEES;

Each row will contain a button that shows an alert with the selected employee’s ID.

In conclusion, custom column formatting is a powerful way to elevate the quality and effectiveness of your data displays in Oracle APEX. By applying appropriate formatting options and conditional styling, you create reports that are not only functional but also intuitive and visually engaging. These enhancements help users make faster, more informed decisions and contribute to a polished, professional application interface.

How do I Add Integration with PL/SQL for Dynamic Content

 Integration with PL/SQL for dynamic content in Oracle APEX allows developers to create highly interactive and data-driven applications. By leveraging PL/SQL’s powerful procedural capabilities, you can generate content that adapts in real-time based on user input, database changes, or business logic. This integration enables dynamic page elements, customized reports, conditional processing, and seamless backend operations, making your APEX applications more responsive and intelligent.

Integration with PL/SQL for dynamic content in Oracle APEX allows you to create pages and components that respond intelligently to user actions and database changes. This integration uses PL/SQL, Oracle’s procedural language, to generate or manipulate content dynamically, offering great flexibility beyond static page designs.

To add PL/SQL-driven dynamic content, follow these detailed steps:

1. Create a PL/SQL Process or Computation
   Navigate to the Page Designer of your desired page. Under the Processing section, you can add a new Process or Computation. Processes execute PL/SQL code when the page is submitted or loaded, while Computations set item values dynamically based on PL/SQL logic during page rendering.

2. Write PL/SQL Code to Generate Content or Perform Logic
   In the process or computation, write your PL/SQL block that either fetches data, performs calculations, or generates output. For example, you can write a PL/SQL function to return a personalized greeting or calculate totals.

3. Use PL/SQL in Dynamic Actions
   Oracle APEX allows you to define Dynamic Actions triggered by user events (click, change, etc.). Within a Dynamic Action, choose Execute PL/SQL Code as a True Action. Here, you can write PL/SQL that updates page items or performs database operations in real time without a full page reload.

4. Display PL/SQL Output in Page Items
   You can assign the result of your PL/SQL logic to page items like text fields, display-only items, or even HTML regions. Use computations or processes to set these item values dynamically when the page loads or after user interaction.

5. Use PL/SQL to Populate Lists of Values (LOVs)
   PL/SQL can dynamically generate LOVs by writing a query or returning a collection from a function. This enables dropdowns or select lists that reflect the current database state, user roles, or other business conditions.

6. Leverage PL/SQL in Report Queries or Region Source
   Instead of static SQL queries, you can embed PL/SQL functions within your report SQL or region source to modify content dynamically. For example, use PL/SQL functions in the SELECT statement to calculate columns on the fly.

7. Secure and Optimize Your PL/SQL Code
   Ensure that your PL/SQL code is efficient and secure. Use bind variables and avoid heavy processing in page-rendering steps to maintain good performance. Also, validate inputs and handle exceptions to avoid runtime errors.

By integrating PL/SQL for dynamic content, Oracle APEX developers unlock powerful backend logic that enhances the user experience with personalized, responsive, and data-driven interfaces. This approach makes applications more adaptable to complex business requirements without compromising maintainability or performance.

Classic Reports can use PL/SQL logic to generate dynamic content. This is useful when you need to:

• Format values based on conditional logic

• Display calculated fields that are not stored in the database

• Highlight rows or columns dynamically

Example: Using PL/SQL for Conditional Formatting

SELECT EMPLOYEE_ID, FIRST_NAME, LAST_NAME,

       CASE WHEN SALARY > 50000 THEN '<span style="color:red;">' || SALARY || '</span>'

            ELSE '<span style="color:green;">' || SALARY || '</span>'

       END AS SALARY

FROM EMPLOYEES;

This query will display salaries greater than 50,000 in red and others in green, helping users quickly identify key information.

Using PL/SQL to drive dynamic content enhances the flexibility and sophistication of your application. It allows you to implement complex logic behind the scenes while keeping the user interface clean and intuitive. Mastering this integration is essential for building scalable, efficient, and personalized applications that meet modern business needs.

How do I Add Customization Using HTML and CSS

 Customizing the look and feel of your Oracle APEX applications can greatly enhance user experience and branding. One of the most effective ways to achieve this is by adding your own HTML and CSS. By using HTML, you can structure and add custom content beyond the default APEX components, while CSS allows you to control styling such as colors, fonts, spacing, and layout. This blog will guide you through the process of integrating custom HTML and CSS into your APEX pages to create visually appealing and personalized applications.

Adding customization using HTML and CSS in Oracle APEX allows you to tailor the look, feel, and behavior of your application beyond the default templates and styles. This flexibility helps you create a unique user interface that aligns with your brand or specific user needs. Here’s a detailed guide on how to add such customizations effectively.

1. Where to Add Custom HTML

   • Static Content Regions: In APEX, you can create a region of type "Static Content" where you can directly enter your custom HTML. This is useful for adding structured content such as custom text, images, tables, or even embedded widgets.

   • Page Templates and Regions: You can modify the HTML markup of page templates or region templates to apply changes globally or for specific pages. This requires editing the template under Shared Components > Templates.

   • Dynamic Actions: Use JavaScript to dynamically manipulate the DOM and inject HTML content if needed.

2. How to Add Custom CSS

   • Inline CSS: You can add CSS directly into a page or region by including <style> tags inside the HTML content or in the page’s HTML header.

   • Page-Level CSS: In the Page Designer, under the "CSS" section, you can add CSS rules that apply only to that page.

   • Application-Level CSS: For broader impact, upload a CSS file through Shared Components > Static Application Files and reference it in the application’s User Interface Attributes under Cascading Style Sheets. This method applies styles across the entire application.

   • Using Themes: You can also customize or override theme styles by creating custom CSS rules that target specific classes or IDs used by APEX components.

3. Best Practices for Custom CSS in APEX

   • Use specific CSS selectors to avoid unintended changes in unrelated areas.

   • Avoid modifying core APEX CSS files directly; instead, override styles with your custom CSS.

   • Test your styles on different browsers and devices to ensure consistent appearance.

   • Use browser developer tools to inspect elements and identify the correct classes or IDs to style.

4. Examples

   • To change the background color of all buttons in your app, add CSS like:

     .t-Button {  
       background-color: #0055a5;  
       color: white;  
     }  
     

   • To add a custom HTML banner in a region, create a Static Content region and enter:

     <div class="custom-banner">  
       <h2>Welcome to Our Application</h2>  
       <p>Enjoy your experience!</p>  
     </div>  
     

   • Then in your CSS, style the banner:

     .custom-banner {  
       background-color: #f0f8ff;  
       padding: 15px;  
       border-radius: 5px;  
       text-align: center;  
     }  
     

5. Adding Custom JavaScript and CSS References

   • Use the “File URLs” section in User Interface Attributes to include external CSS or JavaScript libraries (e.g., Bootstrap, Font Awesome).

   • Alternatively, add links in the page’s “HTML Header” property for page-specific libraries.

6. Testing and Debugging

   • After adding custom HTML and CSS, preview your page to verify the changes.

   • Use browser developer tools (F12) to inspect your customizations and debug any issues.

Classic Reports provide complete control over the HTML structure, allowing developers to modify their appearance using CSS, JavaScript, or APEX templates. This level of flexibility makes it possible to:

• Apply custom styling

• Add icons or images

• Format data presentation based on business rules

Example of Custom Styling in a Classic Report

.report-table tr:nth-child(even) { 

    background-color: #f2f2f2; 

}

.report-table th {

    background-color: #333;

    color: white;

}

Using this CSS, Classic Reports can be made to have striped rows and a custom header style.

By carefully integrating custom HTML and CSS, you gain full control over your Oracle APEX application’s design. This approach enhances usability and brand alignment, while still benefiting from APEX’s powerful declarative development framework.

By mastering the use of HTML and CSS customization in Oracle APEX, developers can go beyond the standard templates and create unique, polished interfaces that better meet business requirements and user expectations. Custom styling not only improves aesthetics but also contributes to usability and accessibility. With these skills, you can ensure your APEX applications stand out, deliver a consistent brand message, and provide an engaging user experience.