When developing an Oracle APEX application, you will often need to provide users with a selection of predefined options. These options can be stored and managed as a List of Static Values, a feature within APEX that allows developers to define label-value pairs directly in the application metadata. This approach is useful when the values are limited, do not change frequently, and do not need to be stored in a database table. Creating a List of Static Values is a straightforward process, yet it is powerful for dropdown lists, radio groups, checkboxes, or other items where the user must select from a fixed set of choices.
Detailed Explanation
In Oracle APEX, Lists of Values (LOVs) can be either dynamic (fetched from SQL queries) or static (defined manually). A static LOV is created when you know the choices in advance and they are unlikely to change often. Each entry in the static LOV consists of two parts: a display value, which the user sees, and a return value, which is stored or processed in your application.
For example, if you are building a form where the user must select a status, you can create a static LOV that contains the display values “Open,” “In Progress,” and “Closed,” and return values such as “O,” “P,” and “C.” This ensures that users select from valid, predefined statuses without the need to maintain a lookup table in the database.
Steps to Create a List of Static Values in APEX
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Navigate to your application in Application Builder.
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Go to Shared Components.
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Under the section “Other Components,” select Lists of Values.
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Click Create and choose From Scratch.
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Enter a meaningful name for your LOV.
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Select the type as Static.
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Define each entry by providing a Display Value and a Return Value.
Example:
Display Value: Open | Return Value: O
Display Value: In Progress | Return Value: P
Display Value: Closed | Return Value: C -
Save your LOV.
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Now you can associate this LOV with items in your application, such as a Select List, Radio Group, or Checkbox item, by choosing this LOV as the source.
Extensive Example
Suppose you are creating a form to capture the priority of a task. The priorities are Low, Medium, and High. You create a static LOV named TASK_PRIORITY_LOV. Inside it you define:
Display Value: Low | Return Value: 1
Display Value: Medium | Return Value: 2
Display Value: High | Return Value: 3
When the user interacts with a Select List item that uses this LOV, they see “Low,” “Medium,” and “High.” When they choose “High,” the database or process stores the return value “3.” This separation of display and return values makes the application easier to manage and allows you to standardize stored values.
Best Practices
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Always use meaningful return values. Use codes such as numbers or short abbreviations if you want to keep stored data compact.
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Keep display values user-friendly and descriptive.
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Reuse LOVs across multiple items by creating them in Shared Components instead of defining them locally in individual items. This ensures consistency and easier maintenance.
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If values may change frequently, consider using a dynamic LOV sourced from a database table instead of static values.
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Provide a default display value such as “Select an option” for mandatory LOV items to guide users.
Oracle APEX Documentation
For the official Oracle APEX documentation on creating and managing Lists of Values, refer to:
https://docs.oracle.com/en/database/oracle/apex/24.2/htmdb/using-lists-of-values.html
Example
Select the create list of values option from the Shared components > List of Values link
Select build “From Scratch”
Give the LOV a name
Add the static values that you desire
Complete and VOILA!
Creating a List of Static Values in Oracle APEX is an essential skill for any developer who wants to provide users with reliable, predefined choices. It simplifies application development, improves data consistency, and reduces the need for additional database tables when the values are stable. By following best practices such as using descriptive display values and consistent return codes, you can make your applications more user-friendly and maintainable. Whether you are building simple forms or complex workflows, mastering static LOVs will enhance the usability and quality of your APEX applications.
