Search Results mtl_descr_element_values




The MTL_DESCR_ELEMENT_VALUES table in Oracle E-Business Suite (EBS) 12.1.1 or 12.2.2 is a critical repository for storing descriptive flexfield (DFF) values associated with inventory items. Descriptive flexfields allow organizations to extend the standard data model by capturing additional attributes specific to their business requirements. This table is part of the Inventory module and is tightly integrated with the Oracle Inventory and Oracle Product Information Management (PIM) applications. Below is a detailed technical breakdown of its structure, purpose, and usage within Oracle EBS.

Table Structure and Key Columns

The MTL_DESCR_ELEMENT_VALUES table stores the values entered by users for descriptive flexfields attached to inventory items. Its primary columns include:
  • INVENTORY_ITEM_ID: References the item in MTL_SYSTEM_ITEMS_B to which the DFF values belong.
  • ORGANIZATION_ID: Identifies the inventory organization where the item is defined.
  • DESCRIPTIVE_ELEMENT: The flexfield segment name (attribute name) for which the value is stored.
  • DESCRIPTIVE_ELEMENT_VALUE: The actual value assigned to the flexfield segment.
  • CREATION_DATE, CREATED_BY, LAST_UPDATE_DATE, LAST_UPDATED_BY: Standard Oracle audit columns.

Integration with Descriptive Flexfields

Descriptive flexfields in Oracle EBS are configured using the Application Developer responsibility. The MTL_DESCR_ELEMENT_VALUES table stores the runtime data for these flexfields. Each row corresponds to a single segment value for an item. The flexfield structure (e.g., context, segments, validation rules) is defined in metadata tables like FND_DESCR_FLEX_CONTEXTS and FND_DESCR_FLEX_COLUMN_USAGES.

Business Use Cases

Organizations use this table to:
  • Capture custom attributes for items, such as supplier-specific details, regulatory compliance data, or internal classification codes.
  • Enable advanced reporting and querying on extended item attributes.
  • Support integration with third-party systems that require additional item metadata.

Technical Considerations

  • Performance: Queries joining this table with MTL_SYSTEM_ITEMS_B may require indexing on INVENTORY_ITEM_ID and ORGANIZATION_ID for optimal performance.
  • Data Volume: Large implementations with extensive DFF usage may experience significant growth in this table, necessitating archival strategies.
  • Upgrades: Customizations relying on this table must be validated during EBS upgrades, as flexfield structures may change.

Example SQL Query

A typical query to retrieve DFF values for an item might look like: 
SELECT msib.segment1 AS item_code, 
       mdev.descriptive_element AS attribute_name,
       mdev.descriptive_element_value AS attribute_value
FROM mtl_system_items_b msib,
     mtl_descr_element_values mdev
WHERE msib.inventory_item_id = mdev.inventory_item_id
AND msib.organization_id = mdev.organization_id
AND msib.segment1 = 'YOUR_ITEM_CODE';

Conclusion

The MTL_DESCR_ELEMENT_VALUES table is a foundational component for extending Oracle Inventory functionality through descriptive flexfields. Its proper use enables organizations to tailor the EBS data model to their unique operational needs while maintaining compatibility with standard Oracle processes. Administrators should ensure appropriate indexing and monitor its growth to maintain system performance.