#FLOW_OWNER# in pl/sql process

Question

I am trying to use #FLOW_OWNER# substitution string in pl/sql processes so I dont have to hard code the schema name. This substitution string works fine if I use it in a report for example 'select * from #FLOW_OWNER#.APEX_APPLICATION_PAGE_IR_COL'
However if I use it an insert in pl/sql process, I get the following error.
ORA-06550: line 5, column 2: PL/SQL: ORA-00911: invalid character ORA-06550:
Here is the code
insert into ssm_help(application_id,application_item_id,help_item,help_desc,help_type_id)
(select :P11_APPLICATION_ID, :P11_APPLICATION_ITEM_ID, report_label,'Enter Help',(select help_type_id from ssm_help_type where help_type_code='REPORT_COLUMN')
FROM
#FLOW_OWNER# .APEX_APPLICATION_PAGE_IR_COL;
Any ideas what the problem is ? Thanks.

Answer 1

Hi,
I once used the global substitution variable APEX_APPLICATION.G_FLOW_SCHEMA_OWNER, but I had to encapsulate the query in an EXECUTE IMMEDIATE block.
Here's my example:
DECLARE
  l_flows_owner VARCHAR2(32);
  l_query VARCHAR2(2000);
  l_count NUMBER(10,0);
BEGIN
  l_flows_owner:=APEX_APPLICATION.G_FLOW_SCHEMA_OWNER;
  l_query:='SELECT COUNT(DISTINCT APPLICATION_ID)
            FROM '||l_flows_owner||'.APEX_APPLICATIONS';
  EXECUTE IMMEDIATE l_query INTO l_count;
  RETURN l_count;
END;This will work in your case too.
-Udo