SAP Fiori Elements offers a metadata-driven framework to develop consistent, efficient, and scalable enterprise applications. One of the standout features of this framework is the ability to control dynamic behavior of the UI through annotations. These annotations allow developers to declaratively specify how the app should behave based on the underlying data or user context—without the need for extensive custom coding.
This article explores how annotations can be leveraged to enable dynamic behavior in SAP Fiori Elements, enhancing the user experience and aligning applications closely with business needs.
Dynamic behavior means the user interface adapts automatically based on conditions such as:
By using annotations, these behaviors can be embedded into the metadata model, allowing the UI to react in real-time to changes without manual intervention.
Controls the editability and visibility of UI fields dynamically based on backend logic. The backend service (OData or CDS) returns a numeric code that maps to UI states such as editable, read-only, or hidden.
Example in CDS:
@UI.fieldControl: #EDITABLE
Or dynamically via behavior definitions returning control codes.
Conditionally hides fields or filter options based on annotations or runtime conditions.
Fields or sections can be included or excluded dynamically by applying annotations combined with filter expressions or role-based checks.
Control which filter fields are shown and their default values depending on user input or role.
Dynamically fetches and filters dropdown or value help lists based on other field values, enabling cascading dropdowns.
The backend plays a crucial role in supporting dynamic UI via annotations:
FieldControl values per field per user or data state.In a sales order app, the Discount field may only be editable if the order status is "Draft". Using @UI.FieldControl, the backend signals editability based on the order status, and the UI updates automatically.
A purchase order app may show different filter fields depending on the user's department, controlled via @UI.SelectionVariant and backend role checks.
Selecting a country dynamically filters the list of available cities in a value help dropdown through @Consumption.ValueListMapping.
While annotations cover many dynamic scenarios, some complex UI logic may require custom extensions:
Annotations provide a powerful, declarative way to introduce dynamic behavior into SAP Fiori Elements applications. By embedding business rules and UI logic into metadata, organizations can create flexible, user-friendly apps that respond intelligently to varying contexts and data conditions. Mastering annotation-driven dynamic behavior is essential for developers aiming to maximize the potential of SAP Fiori Elements with minimal coding effort.