SAP Fiori Elements offers a powerful framework to rapidly develop SAP Fiori applications using metadata-driven templates. Among its key floorplans, the Object Page plays a crucial role by presenting detailed information about a specific business object in a structured and user-friendly manner. While SAP Fiori Elements automatically generates most of the UI based on annotations, customizing the Object Page is essential to tailor the user experience to specific business needs.
This article dives into the best practices, techniques, and options available for customizing Object Pages in SAP Fiori Elements, enabling developers and architects to extend standard functionality while maintaining the consistency and maintainability that Fiori Elements provide.
The Object Page floorplan is designed to display detailed information about a single SAP business object, such as a Purchase Order, Customer, or Sales Order. It organizes content into sections and subsections, supports tabs, and integrates action buttons, attachments, and related objects.
By default, the Object Page UI is generated based on metadata from OData services and enriched by annotations defined in CDS views or metadata extensions.
Although the standard Object Page covers many use cases, business processes often demand:
Customizations ensure the app aligns closely with end-user needs and organizational requirements without compromising the benefits of the Fiori Elements framework.
The first and preferred way to customize is by enhancing annotations:
Annotations provide a declarative, clean way to adjust the UI without touching the code.
When annotation adjustments are insufficient:
@Consumption.valueHelpDefinition to add value helps or input assistance.@UI.hidden with expression bindings or @UI.hidden annotations conditioned on context.SAP provides tools and hooks to enhance or override parts of the Object Page:
@UI.lineItem with DataFieldForAction).SAP Fiori also supports runtime adaptation via tools like:
For advanced needs, developers can embed fully custom SAPUI5 components inside Object Page sections or tabs by:
CustomSection or CustomTab facet annotations.manifest.json to define a new target for the custom tab.@UI.facet annotation of type CustomTab pointing to the new component.This approach enables you to integrate complex, business-specific functionality without disrupting the standard Fiori Elements behavior.
Mastering Object Page customizations in SAP Fiori Elements empowers organizations to balance rapid development with tailored user experiences. By effectively using annotation-driven configurations, leveraging extension points, and incorporating custom SAPUI5 components when necessary, developers can deliver powerful, flexible, and maintainable Object Pages that meet precise business requirements.
As SAP continues evolving the Fiori Elements framework, staying updated on new customization capabilities and best practices will ensure your applications remain robust and user-friendly.