Lookups provide lists of valid values for certain items of information. This has two key advantages:
It ensures that all users use the same terminology, which makes it easier to inquire and report on the information.
It speeds up data entry because you can enter just enough to identify the value, and the system completes the entry.
In Oracle HRMS, a list of values is called a lookup type. Each value comprises a code, a meaning, and sometimes, a legislative tag. For example:
| Lookup Type | Code | Meaning | Tag |
|---|---|---|---|
| MAR_STATUS | M | Married | |
| S | Single | ||
| R | Registered Partner | +NL | |
| DP | Domestic Partner | -FR, AU |
The codes are used internally; users do not see them. There is a maximum of 250 lookups for each lookup type.
Your localization team uses the Tag column to define the lookup codes that are used by each localization. In this example, the Married and Single codes are visible to all legislations. The Registered Partner code is visible to the Dutch legislation only. The code for Domestic Partner, however, is visible to all legislations except France and Australia.
A number of lookup types are included in Oracle HRMS. Some contain codes as startup data. You can never delete these codes, but you can change their meaning. For some lookup types, you can also disable the codes that are supplied. Your ability to disable codes and add new codes is determined by the access level of the lookup type:
User - You can add codes and you can disable supplied codes.
Extensible - You can add new codes, but you cannot disable supplied codes because the system uses them.
System - You can neither add codes nor disable supplied codes. You can only change the meaning or description of supplied codes.
See User and Extensible Lookups for a list of the predefined lookup types with an access level of User or Extensible.
You can also create your own lookup types in the lookup type window. These all have an access level of User.
If you are using Security Groups Enabled security, lookup types may be either global or local:
Global lookup types are available to all business groups
Local lookup types are only available to the business group/security group in which they are created.
Local lookups can be implemented in either of the following ways:
You can create an override. This means that you retain the global name for the lookup type, but supply local values appropriate for your business group. The extent to which you can do this is determined by the access level for the lookup type.
You can create an entirely new lookup type with lookup values that are only applicable to your local business group.
When you connect to any business group you will therefore have access to each of the following:
The global lookup types and values
Local overrides to the global lookup values
Local lookup types and values