SAP Fiori Elements provides a powerful framework to rapidly develop standardized, metadata-driven SAP Fiori applications. While it covers a broad range of common UI patterns through reusable templates and Smart Controls, certain complex business scenarios call for advanced custom controls that extend or enhance the standard user interface.
Creating advanced custom controls within SAP Fiori Elements allows developers to deliver unique user experiences while maintaining the benefits of metadata-driven development, consistent design, and upgrade safety. This article explores the approaches, tools, and best practices for building advanced custom controls integrated seamlessly into SAP Fiori Elements applications.
Standard Smart Controls like Smart Table, Smart Filter Bar, and Smart Chart provide out-of-the-box functionality for most use cases. However, advanced custom controls are required when:
Advanced custom controls help tailor SAP Fiori apps to exact business needs without sacrificing the consistency and maintainability of Fiori Elements.
Start by extending SAPUI5 controls that are close to your requirements:
sap.ui.core.Control.extend or extend existing controls like sap.m.Table.init, onBeforeRendering, renderer) to customize behavior and appearance.Define new aggregations, associations, and properties to support complex data structures and interactions within your control.
Create custom renderers to precisely control how your control is rendered in HTML.
Combine custom controls with XML fragments to encapsulate reusable UI parts, enabling cleaner separation of logic and view.
manifest.json and leverage controller extensions for event handling.Imagine a project management app requiring a timeline visualization of project milestones and tasks with drag-and-drop rescheduling capabilities:
Building advanced custom controls for SAP Fiori Elements empowers developers to meet sophisticated business requirements while leveraging the benefits of SAP’s UI5 framework and Fiori Elements architecture. By extending existing controls, employing custom rendering, and integrating seamlessly via extension points, you can deliver rich, user-centric SAP applications that are maintainable and scalable.
Mastering custom control development expands the possibilities of Fiori Elements, helping organizations create highly tailored and engaging SAP user experiences.