Introduction/ Issue:
In Oracle APEX, it’s possible to dynamically present the number of items—such as pending modules, unread messages, or active records—next to navigation entries (e.g., “Modules [5]”). This live context helps users quickly understand the quantity or state of items without navigating further.
Why we need to do / Cause of the issue:
User awareness: Users immediately see how many items await their attention—enhancing usability.
Avoids extra clicks: It prevents unnecessary navigation, saving time and improving workflow.
Static labels lack context: Without dynamic data, menu labels can become stale, misleading users if item counts change.
The underlying challenge is that default APEX navigation labels are static—they don’t reflect real-time counts unless explicitly configured to do so.
How do we solve:
A) Create an Application Item
Navigate to Shared Components → Application Items.
Click Create, and define an item such as MODULE_COUNT.
B) Set Up an Application Computation
Go to Shared Components → Application Computations.
Create a new computation:
Item: MODULE_COUNT.
Computation Point: Before Header (ensures value is set before navigation is rendered).
Computation Type: SQL Query (return single value).
Example SQL:
SELECT COUNT(*) FROM module_table WHERE …;
C) Use the Item in Navigation Menu
In Shared Components → Navigation Menu (or Lists), edit the desired menu entry.
For the Label, insert your application item substitution like so:
Modules [&MODULE_COUNT.]
This will render with the computed number, for example: Modules [12]
Optionally, for a more polished look using Universal Theme badges
Use the Badge Value attribute and enter &MODULE_COUNT..
D) Save and Test
Save your changes, then run the application.
Verify that the menu label or badge shows the real-time count.
Note: Some APEX versions may cache this value across sessions—users might see stale counts until navigation is reloaded.
Conclusion:
By leveraging Application Items and Application Computations—set to run before header—you can dynamically calculate counts (e.g., MODULE_COUNT) and seamlessly insert them into navigation labels or badges. This method enhances user awareness and creates a more interactive, dataaware UI. Just be mindful of caching nuances to ensure the counts remain current.
