How to Create a Dependent Parameters using Dependent Value set

Definition: A dependent value set is similar to an independent value set, except that the available values in the list and the meaning of a given value depend on which independent value was selected in a prior segment of the flex field structure. You can think of a dependent value set as a collection of little value sets, with one little set for each independent value in the corresponding independent value set. You must define your independent value set before you define the dependent value set that depends on it.

For example let’s take two values sets:
1. XX_CAR_MAKES (A Value set for different Car Makes (manufacturers))
2. XX_CAR_MODEL (A Value set for different Car Models of a Car Make)

The value set values should look like the below structure

Since car model is dependent on car make, car model value set XX_CAR_MODEL should be defined as dependent value set and car make value set XX_CAR_MAKES should be defined independent value set.

Step 1: Create Independent Value Set

Create a value set XX_CAR_MAKES as shown in the below screen shot

Step 2: Create Dependent Value Set

Create a value set XX_CAR_MODEL as shown in the below screen shot

Step 3: Add Values for Independent Value set

Navigate to System Administrator responsibility –> Application –> Validation –> Values
Enter value set name as XX_CAR_MAKES and click on Find button

Enter the values as shown in the below screen shot

Step 5: Add values for Dependent Value Set

Navigate to System Administrator responsibility –> Application –> Validation –> Values
Enter value set name as XX_CAR_MODEL, Independent Value as ‘Maruthi Suzuki’ and click on Find button

Enter different car models of Maruthi Suzuki as values as shown in the below screen shot

Similarly enter list of values for other independent values of dependent value set

Steps 6: Assign value sets to Flex Fields or Concurrent Program parameters

You can use this method when list of values are small and fixed in number. If list of values are more and values should come dynamically then we can use $FLEX$.XX_VALUE_SET_NAME method.

Read this article from oracle.com for more information on Dependent Value set.