How to Use Drill Rule in iDempiere

Learn how the Drill Rule window in iDempiere defines custom drill-down navigation from a field to a target process, report, or table.

Introduction

Drill Rule is a standard iDempiere Application Dictionary window that lets administrators define custom drill-down navigation from a field to a target process, report, or table.

It is used across all business types wherever teams need faster navigation between related documents, such as linking an inventory record to its import process.

A configured Drill Rule replaces the default zoom behavior and passes record values automatically into the target process, improving navigation efficiency.

Business Rules

• Tenant, Organization, Name, Process, and Process Parameter are mandatory fields.
• A Drill Rule must be Active before it can be used by the Drill Assistant.
• A Drill Rule must be Valid before it becomes available for use.
• Parameter mappings are configured in the Drill Rule Parameter tab.
• If no valid Drill Rule exists, the Drill Assistant reports that none are available.
• The Drill Assistant Table tab lists all application tables as a fallback navigation option.

Prerequisites

• User has System Administrator access to the Application Dictionary.
• The target Process, Report, or Print Format already exists in iDempiere.
• The Process Parameter that will receive the record value is defined on the target process.
• The source table on which the drill applies exists in the Application Dictionary.

Configuration Steps

Step 1: Create the Drill Rule

This step establishes the basic identity of the Drill Rule so it can later be linked to a process and a source table.

Open the Drill Rule window and enter a unique Name and optional Description, then confirm the record is Active.

Field	Sample Value	Description
Tenant	POTS	Client that owns the Drill Rule.
Organization	*	Organization owning the record.
Name	Inventory Drill	Unique name identifying the Drill Rule.
Description	Opens Inventory Import	Optional description of the rule’s purpose.
Active	Yes	Indicates whether the Drill Rule is enabled.

Step 2: Select the Target Process

This step defines what happens when the drill is triggered. The Process field is mandatory and determines the destination window.

In the Action section, select the Process to launch and choose how its parameter window should display.

Field	Sample Value	Description
Process	Import Inventory	The process that executes when the Drill Rule is triggered.
Show Help	Run silently – Take Defaults	Controls how the target process window is displayed.

Step 3: Define the Source

This step links the Drill Rule to the column or table where it applies, and identifies which process parameter receives the record value.

In the Source section, select the source Table and the Process Parameter that will receive the drilled value.

Field	Sample Value	Description
Table	Import Inventory	Source table where the Drill Rule is applicable.
Report View	(blank)	Optional report view used by the drill.
Print Format	(blank)	Optional print format associated with the drill.
Process Parameter	M_Inventory_ID	Target process parameter that receives the selected record value.

Step 4: Configure Parameter Mapping

This step ensures the current record’s values are passed automatically into the target process instead of requiring manual entry.

Open the Drill Rule Parameter tab and map each Process Parameter to its Default Parameter source value.

Field	Sample Value	Description
Process Parameter	M_Inventory_ID	Target process parameter to be populated.
Default Parameter	Record_ID	Source value passed into the process.
Default To Parameter	(optional)	Optional destination parameter for the mapped value.
Active	Yes	Enables this parameter mapping.

Step 5: Validate the Drill Rule

Validation confirms the Drill Rule is correctly configured and makes it available to users through the Drill Assistant.

Run the Validate process on the Drill Rule record and confirm the Valid flag is set.

Field	Sample Value	Description
Valid	Yes	Indicates the Drill Rule has been successfully validated.

Step 6: Test Using the Drill Assistant

This step confirms the Drill Rule behaves as expected from a user’s perspective before it is relied upon in daily operations.

From the source field, open the right-click menu and select Drill Assistant to confirm the rule is found and executes correctly.

Field	Sample Value	Description
Drill Column	AD_Client – 1000000	Column and value being drilled from the current record.
Drill Rule tab	Matching rule listed	Shows the Drill Rule found for the selected column, if any.
Table tab	Full table list	Fallback list of application tables when no Drill Rule is configured.

Common Issues and Resolutions

Issue	Cause	Resolution
No Drill Rule found	No matching Drill Rule exists for the column	Create a Drill Rule and run the Validate process.
Drill Rule not executed	Rule is inactive	Enable the Active checkbox on the Drill Rule.
Drill Rule not listed in Drill Assistant	Rule has not been validated	Run the Validate process to mark the rule Valid.
Process opens without data	Parameter mapping is missing	Configure the mapping in the Drill Rule Parameter tab.
“Cannot find any valid Drill Rules” message	No Drill Rule matches the selected column	Define a new Drill Rule for that column, then validate it.
Record cannot be saved	Process or Process Parameter left blank	Both fields are mandatory; select valid values before saving.
Drill Assistant only shows the Table list	No Drill Rule configured for the column	Use the Table tab to navigate manually, or configure a Drill Rule.

Next Steps

1. Test the configured Drill Rule using the Drill Assistant on the source field.
2. Confirm that record values are passed correctly into the target process.
3. Review the target Process or window opened by the drill for accuracy.
4. Configure additional Drill Rules for other frequently used navigation points.