Can't get a blank entry in Choice List of Values (LOV)

Question

Using Jdev 11.1.1.3 but will be upgrading to 11.1.1.5 in few weeks.
Need to display a Choice List that is bound a view object with static data. The List should show a blank item since users don’t need to select any.
I am able to display the LOV in the page but can’t seem to get a blank item as a first item.
Here is what I did:
1.     Created the VO with static data. Initially didn’t include it in the Application Module based on the developer guide sec 5.3 but later added to get it in the data control list.
(Note the application doesn’t need to use any database and simply is using Web Service but for test I am using a DB)
2.     To configured the VO, tried to add a View Accessor to the VO, but couldn’t select a data source until I added the VO to the App Module !
3.     In attributes tab added an LOV and specified the data source. In UI Hints ensure the “Include “No Selection” Item” was selected.
(Initially didn’t shuttle the attribute to the right in the UI hints.)
4.     In the List UI hints ensured that “Include “No Selection” Item” was selected.
5.     Dragged the VO Data control to the page and selected ADF Select One Choice.
6.     On running the List DID NOT include a blank item !? How to get one?
In pageDef got:
<list IterBinding="GenderListVO1Iterator" ListOperMode="navigation"
ListIter="GenderListVO1Iterator" id="GenderListVO1"
DTSupportsMRU="true">
<AttrNames>
<Item Value="Gender"/>
</AttrNames>
</list>
I even added the tag NullValueFlag="start" to the PageDef but no blank entry.
In Page got:
<af:selectOneChoice value="#{bindings.GenderListVO1.inputValue}"
label="#{bindings.GenderListVO1.label}"
required="#{bindings.GenderListVO1.hints.mandatory}"
shortDesc="#{bindings.GenderListVO1.hints.tooltip}"
id="soc3">
<f:selectItems value="#{bindings.GenderListVO1.items}" id="si7"/>
</af:selectOneChoice>
If I don't use the VO and code all items in the JSPX page with a blank item that get a blank entry (didn't test with the Web Service yet since not ready).
What is the issue with VO?
( I am also considering a number of SelectManyChecks on the same page but might be difficult)
Thanks for the reply.
Edited by: user8769031 on Jun 10, 2011 11:12 AM

Answer 1

Thanks for the hint, but in my case the attribute is not required. I never see a blank entry. The only way I was able to get a blank is to add a blank item to the static list in the VO. The VO XML file has:
<LOVUIHints
ListType="105"
MRUCount="0"
ListRangeSize="-1"
NullValueFlag="start"
NullValueId="LOVUIHints_NullValueId">
The Include "No selection" item is not working as expected.