Understanding @INLINES Syntax in Oracle BI Publisher RTF Templates
Oracle BI Publisher’s RTF templates support powerful markup commands to control data rendering, formatting, and logic in output documents. One advanced and useful feature is the @INLINES context command, which controls where and how certain calculations, conditional logic, or subtemplate results appear in your document layout.
What is @INLINES?
The @INLINES context in BI Publisher RTF syntax ensures that the output of a template command, such as a conditional if, a calculation, or a call to a subtemplate, is rendered inline—directly at the position of the command in the template. This is crucial when you want to keep dynamic results or formatted text on the same line as adjacent content, preventing unwanted line breaks or spacing.
Typical Use: Inline Subtemplate Results
Suppose you have a different address or formatted message defined, you can call them from a subtemplate. To render its result seamlessly within a paragraph or cell, use @INLINES:
<?choose:?>
<?when:(EMP_REGION='REGION_EMEA')?><?call-template:EMEA?><?end when?>
<?when:(EMP_REGION='REGION_MENA')?><?call-template:MENA?><?end when?>
<?when:(EMP_REGION='REGION_AMERICAS')?><?call-template:AMERICAS?><?end when?>
<?end choose?>
Including @inlines in your call ensures that the computed interest displays right where the call command is placed—inline with other content.
Conditional Statements
You can also use @inlines with if logic to keep conditional output inline:
<?xdofx:if@inlines: AMOUNT > 1000 then 'High' else 'Low' end if?>
This prevents the conditional result from forcing a new line in the output, maintaining a compact format for display.
Why Is @INLINES Important?
Maintains clean formatting especially within tables, paragraphs, and lists.
Enables display of results on the same line as surrounding text—crucial for documents like invoices, contracts, or statements.
Avoids unnecessary whitespace and line breaks, leading to more readable documents.
Best Practices
Use
@INLINESwhen output must be tightly integrated with surrounding text.Pair
@INLINESwith subtemplate calls, conditionals, and complex formatting logic.Test your template to confirm expected inline rendering, especially with dynamic or multilingual content.
The @INLINES context command is an essential RTF markup tool for Oracle BI Publisher users seeking precise output control. Leverage it to keep your conditional data, calculations, and subtemplate results well formatted and professional, right inline with the rest of your content.
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