Populate the URL for popupURL from a Table/Page Item?

Question

Dear all,
Would someone please tell me if the URL to run a BIP report can be populated from a table/page item when using popupURL and if so, how?
Background:
I have a Table called TBL_LETTERS with a varchar2 column REPORT_URL
I have a Page (Pg 303) which populates a Text Page Item (P303_REPORT_URL) with an appropriate URL string from the table.
Here is my problem:
I would like to replace my working javascript function (see below):
run myLetter_40()
popupURL('&BI_URL.Guest/DEV/TEST/FRM_40/MM_40/MM_40.xdo?_xpf=&_xpt=1&P_CASE_ID=&P303_CASE_ID.&P_PERSON_ID=&P303_PERSON_ID.&_xt=MM_40_xf=rtf');
with something like:
run myLetter_40()
popupURL($x("P303_REPORT_URL").value);
...but this doesn't work.
With my limited javascript knowledge I can only guess that the variables successfully assigned values in my first function example are not successful in my second, I am probably just passing the whole thing as a simple string (like this: +&BI_URL.Guest/DEV/TEST/FRM_40/MM_40/MM_40.xdo?_xpf=&_xpt=1&P_CASE_ID=&P303_CASE_ID.&P_PERSON_ID=&P303_PERSON_ID.&_xt=MM_40_xf=rtf+), but would very much welcome any advice.
Do I need to
a. Create the REPORT_URL string differently in the table so that when passed to the Page Item it includes the required variable data?
b. Something completely different?
c. Forget it, it's not possible!
ps. I am using Apex 3.2.1
Thank you in advance.
Sue
Edited by: smp245 on Aug 21, 2012 2:19 PM

Answer 1

Thank you Erik-jan
when I look at the parameter in de popupURL function I notice that you use substitution variables &P303_CASE_ID. and &P303_PERSON_ID.
The value for these variables are filled in by Apex on page rendering.
If you use this same URL in your column REPORT_URL Apex will not fill in the values for these substitution variables.
Yes, this is exactly what is happening.
I would suggest you use option A to build your URL with the desired values.
If the values for &P303_CASE_ID. and &P303_PERSON_ID. are in the same table TBL_LETTERS you could use them to make a pseudo column for the URL string.
&P303_CASE_ID. and &P303_PERSON_ID. are not in the same table. How would it be possible to build the string (to store in the table) so that when it is run javascript identifies the variables?
I have tried building the string in various ways using syntax similar to below but nothing is working:
'&BI_URL.Guest/DEV/TEST/FRM_40/MM_40/MM_40.xdo?_xpf=&_xpt=1&P_CASE_ID=' + &P303_CASE_ID. + '&P_PERSON_ID=' + &P303_PERSON_ID.' &_xt=MM_40_xf=rtf'
Do you have any ideas?
Thanks
Sue