Update Apex Tabular form with PLSQL

Question

How can I update an Apex Tabular Form with pl/sql instead of using a multi-row update(MRU), is it even possible?

Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

Yes, it is possible. You can delete (or disable) the standard processes such as ApplyMRU, and replace them with your own PL/SQL processes to handle the tabular form arrays something like this:

for i in 1..apex_application.g_f02.count loop
   update dept
   set    dname = apex_application.g_f03(i)
   where  deptno = apex_application.g_f02(i);
end loop;

However, it isn't simple and there is a fair bit you need to know to get this right, such as:

• How the tabular form columns map to arrays like apex_application.g_f03 (view the page source and look for the names of the controls, e.g. "f03_0001").
• How some item types like checkboxes a work differently to others
• How to perform optimistic locking to prevent lost updates

There used to be a "how to" document on apex.oracle.com that described this in detail, but I haven't been able to locate it recently.