SAP Fiori Elements offers a robust framework for creating enterprise-ready, metadata-driven UI5 applications with minimal coding. The framework includes a range of Smart Controls, such as Smart Table, Smart Filter Bar, and Smart Chart, which provide out-of-the-box functionality for common UI scenarios while ensuring consistency and adherence to SAP UX guidelines.
However, business requirements sometimes demand specialized UI components or enhanced functionalities that standard Smart Controls cannot fully address. In such cases, building custom Smart Controls can extend the capabilities of SAP Fiori Elements apps while preserving their metadata-driven nature and upgradeability.
This article explores the approach, benefits, and best practices for developing custom Smart Controls within SAP Fiori Elements.
Smart Controls are SAPUI5 controls that adapt their behavior and UI dynamically based on OData metadata and annotations. They allow declarative UI development, reducing the need for manual coding while providing advanced features like:
Examples include Smart Table, Smart Filter Bar, and Smart Chart.
Standard Smart Controls may not always meet specific business needs, such as:
Custom Smart Controls enable developers to:
Start by extending standard SAPUI5 controls or Smart Controls, inheriting their core features and adding custom logic.
sap.ui.core.Control.extend or sap.ui.table.Table.extend as a base.Design your custom control to respond to OData metadata and annotations where possible.
To integrate your custom control into a Fiori Elements app, register it in the manifest.json file, specifying its usage in UI extension points or annotation-driven areas.
Provide well-defined extension points or properties so that your custom control can be configured or enhanced further without code changes.
Consider a custom Smart Map Control that visualizes geo-located sales data directly within a Fiori Elements Object Page.
Building custom Smart Controls for SAP Fiori Elements empowers developers to address unique business requirements while retaining the benefits of metadata-driven development and SAP’s UX standards. By extending SAPUI5 controls and leveraging OData annotations, custom controls can seamlessly integrate into Fiori Elements apps, enhancing functionality, flexibility, and user experience.
For organizations aiming to deliver tailored SAP Fiori solutions without compromising maintainability and upgrade safety, mastering custom Smart Controls is a valuable skill.