How to Use Data Loader to Automate Data Entry in Oracle EBS

Automate Data Entry in Oracle Apps    Data Loader for Oracle R12   

As an Oracle EBS Apps Professional one has to enter records frequently for testing purpose. The Data Entry has to done through Front
End Application forms only because it is very difficult to directly load data directly into Oracle back end tables. Although Oracle has
provided open interface tables, it is quite difficult to follow the Oracle guidelines. And Database Administrators are also reluctant to provide
direct connection to back end database due to security issues.

Because of  these reasons Data Loader utility becomes an essential tool for automating loading of data into Oracle EBS Suite.

The Advantages of this tool are:

1. Loads data directly into front end forms thus no direct connection to the database is necessary.
2. Needs no special technical expertise, can be utilized by non-technical end users as data is filled in forms.
3. Helps you to save lots of time. Prepare load once and duplicate the load several times as you need.
4. Entirely transparent to the application. Application behaves as data is inserted by a user.

 

There are multiple ways in which it can be used to load the data.

• Macro Loading method
• Forms Record and Playback Method
• HTML Forms Data Loader Record and Playback method for Oracle Self Service forms

In this article we will be just discussing the 1st method i.e. Macro Loading method. We will discuss the other methods some other time in
separate articles.

Note: This tutorial is for loading data into traditional Oracle Java forms. If you want to load the data into Oracle Self Service forms please use HTML Forms Data Loader which is specially build for Oracle HTML Forms . You can view it's step by step tutorial here Data Loader for Oracle Self Service forms

Automating loading of data through Macro Loading feature can be carried out in just 3 steps.

1. Record
2. Populate the data from Excel or CSV or any delimited file.
3. Play

Here’s short description of above steps.

• Start your target application form in which you would like to automate loading of data and move the cursor on the 1st field.
  
  For Example, we want to add new users in Oracle EBS. Login to Oracle Apps and navigate to System Administrator->Security->Users
  as shown in picture below
  
  
  
• Start Forms Data Loader by clicking on its desktop icon.
• Click “Create New by Macro Recording” button and a dialog will be displayed.
  
  
  
• Click “Start Recording” button in the dialog
  
  
  
• Change to your target application form window by using mouse click or Alt+TAB keys
• At this point enter a sample record in your target application form just as you do normally. Remember to use Keyboard keys to navigate in the target form and not to use mouse clicks to navigate between fields unless you have checked "Record Mouse Clicks" checkbox.
  
  You can use "Alt+FV" keys  (Save and Proceed shortcut keys) to save the Sample Record
  
• After entering the Sample Record click “Stop Recording” in the dialog
  
  
  
• Click “Create Load” button..
  
  
  
• Now you will see a Excel like sheet in Forms Data Loader with all fields which you have entered in the form..
  
  
  
• You can now populate this sheet by copying and pasting data from Excel or any CSV or delimited file.. You can make use of "Paste in Text Columns only" option and Auto Fill option to fill navigation keystrokes. For more information about this option please click here
  
  
  
• Once you have populated the sheet, make sure that Users Form is open is Oracle EBS Applications and cursor is in First Field and then click “Load” button in Forms Data Loader
  
  
  
  
• Forms Data loader will now show the "Load Settings" dialog as shown below. Here choose the target form window title in target application drop down field and click "Start"
  
  

That's it, you can now watch Data Loader automatically loads all the data in the form.

You can test Data Loader by downloading fully functional edition by clicking the following link

Data Loader

For more information please visit the official site at www.formsdataloader.com

Do's and Don'ts for Data Loader

For troubleshooting loads please view FAQ's at Data Loader FAQ