Search Results wf_item_attribute_values




Overview
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Overview

The WF_ITEM_ATTRIBUTE_VALUES table is a core data repository within the Oracle E-Business Suite (EBS) Workflow engine, owned by the APPLSYS schema. As part of the Application Object Library (FND) module, its primary role is to store the runtime values for attributes associated with workflow items. A workflow item represents a specific instance of a business process, such as a purchase requisition or an expense report. This table acts as the persistent storage mechanism for the dynamic data that flows through and determines the path of a workflow process, enabling state management, decision logic, and communication between activities.

Key Information Stored

The table's structure is defined by a composite primary key and critical foreign key relationships. The primary key columns are ITEM_TYPE, ITEM_KEY, and NAME, which together uniquely identify a specific attribute value for a specific workflow instance. The ITEM_TYPE and ITEM_KEY columns link the value to a specific workflow process instance in the WF_ITEMS table. The NAME column identifies the specific attribute, whose definition (like datatype) is stored in the WF_ITEM_ATTRIBUTES table. While the ETRM excerpt does not list all columns, the table typically contains columns such as TEXT_VALUE, NUMBER_VALUE, and DATE_VALUE to store the actual attribute data based on its type, along with a PROTECT_LEVEL column for security.

Common Use Cases and Queries

A primary use case is debugging or auditing workflow processes by examining the data they carried. Developers and administrators frequently query this table to understand why a process took a particular path or to verify data at a specific point. Common SQL patterns include retrieving all attribute values for a specific workflow instance or checking the value of a key decision attribute. For example, to find the current status of a specific requisition workflow, one might query: SELECT text_value FROM apps.wf_item_attribute_values WHERE item_type = 'REQAPPRV' AND item_key = '12345' AND name = 'STATUS';. It is also central for custom reports that need to analyze workflow performance or data trends based on attribute values stored during process execution.

Related Objects

  • WF_ITEMS: This table is the parent for workflow instances. The foreign key (ITEM_TYPE, ITEM_KEY) enforces that every record in WF_ITEM_ATTRIBUTE_VALUES corresponds to a valid, active workflow item.
  • WF_ITEM_ATTRIBUTES: This table defines the metadata for attributes (e.g., datatype, format). The foreign key on (ITEM_TYPE, NAME) ensures that a value stored corresponds to a predefined attribute for that item type.
  • Workflow Engine APIs: PL/SQL APIs such as WF_ENGINE and WF_CORE internally read from and write to this table to get and set attribute values during process execution. Direct DML on this table is strongly discouraged; interaction should occur through these public APIs.