how to set direction for list of values 'LOV' in oracle forms

Question

how can I change direction of LOV using set_item_property ? I want to change the direction based on a parameter value , if set_item_property is not available do you have any suggestions ?

Answer 1

use an 'ORDER BY' clause at the end of the query. using either ASC for ascending data 'ABCD' or DESC for descending order 'ZYX' e.g.

SELECT *
  FROM table
ORDER BY parameter ASC

OR

SELECT *
  FROM table
ORDER BY parameter DESC

Answer 2

If you mean ordering of the listed values in ascending or descending manner by the word direction, you can manage it through use of Set_Lov_Property.

You should be calling the existing LOV from a text field(call tf1).

Add a check box item (call cb1) next to tf1.

Forms creates a Record Group as LOV being created with the same name as default(call 'mylov01'). Assume this Record Group has a select statement having order by col0 asc clause.

Manually create an extra Record Group with name mylov01_desc having order by col0 desc clause.

Add a KEY-CLRBLK trigger to that field with the code

declare
    v_lov varchar2(50) := 'mylov01'; 
    v_grn varchar2(50);     
begin   
    if    Checkbox_Checked('cb1') then
        v_grn := v_lov||'_desc';
    else    
        v_grn := v_lov; 
    end if; 

    Set_Lov_Property( v_lov, group_name, v_grn );   
    list_values;
end;    

Invoke the LOV by pressing F7 whenever the cursor is in tf1.

The list would return rows in descending order for col0 column provided that cb1 is checked, otherwise would be in ascending order.

P.S. KEY-LISTVAL is the default trigger to invoke a LOV, and fired through Ctrl+L key combination. I prefer disabling this default behaviour by adding KEY-LISTVAL trigger for tf1 with a code null; in it in order to invoke the LOV from pressing the single key F7 only.