Oracle PeopleSoft | Setting Up Alerts for Pending Approvals

Last Updated On January 6, 2026
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5 minutes to read

 

In today’s fast-paced work environment, keeping track of pending approvals can be a challenge. Often, users need to log in and navigate through multiple menus to check their approval queue. This blog post provides a proof-of-concept guide on how to set up automated alerts to notify users of pending approvals, ensuring they can stay on top of their tasks without constantly logging in to check.

 

Alerts and Notification in PeopleSoft:

Alerts are proactive messages sent to users to notify them about specific events or conditions that require their attention. These can be configured to trigger based on predefined criteria or thresholds. Alerts help in maintaining workflow efficiency by ensuring that users are promptly informed about important events.

Notifications are messages that inform users about specific actions or statuses. While like alerts, notifications can be more informational and less urgent. They are designed to keep users updated on the status of processes, approvals, or other relevant activities.

 

Steps to Set Up the Alert/Notification:

1. Query Security: Add EOAW Records

To start, ensure the necessary EOAW records are available in the Query Record Search. Add EOAW_TXN and EOAW_SUMM_DTL to the Query Security.

Navigation: Main Menu > PeopleTools > Security > Query Security > Query Access Manager

  • Navigate to the Query Access Manager. Search for the Query Tree: QUERY_TREE_EO
Accessing-the-Query-Tree-QUERY_TREE_EO
Fig 1.1 Accessing the Query Tree: QUERY_TREE_EO

 

  • Search for and add EOAW_TXN and EOAW_SUMM_DTL if they are not already present.
Adding-the-Child-Records-EOAW_TXN-and-EOAW_SUMM_DTL
Fig 1.2 Adding the Child Records – EOAW_TXN and EOAW_SUMM_DTL

 

Fig 1.21
Fig 1.21

 

2. Create the Query

Next, create a query using the EOAW_SUMM_DTL and EOAW_TXN records to fetch pending approvals. This query can be customized to include additional details as needed.

Navigation: Main Menu > Reporting Tools > Query > Query Manager

  • Go to the Query Manager and Create a new query using the specified records.
Fig-1.3-Create-a-new-query-joining-the-records-EOAW_SUMM_DTL-and-EOAW_TXN
Fig 1.3: Create a new query joining the records EOAW_SUMM_DTL and EOAW_TXN

 

Fig 1.31
Fig 1.31

 

Fig 1.32
Fig 1.32

 

  • Customize the SQL to fit your business requirements.
Fig-1.4-Selecting-the-Fields-from-the-Records
Fig 1.4 Selecting the Fields from the Records

 

Fig-1.5-Customize-the-Thread-ID-to-display-the-Number-of-Pending-Approvals.
Fig 1.5 Customize the Thread ID to display the Number of Pending Approvals

 

Fig 1.6 Setting the Criteria - to fetch pending approvals
Fig 1.6 Setting the Criteria – to fetch pending approvals

 

Fig 1.7 Viewing the Query for Fetching Pending Approvals for the User
Fig 1.7 Viewing the Query for Fetching Pending Approvals for the User

 

3. Create Message Catalog Entry

Create an entry in the Message Catalog for the query. This entry will be used to format the alert message.

Navigation: Main Menu > PeopleTools > Utilities > Administration > Message Catalog

  • Navigate to the Message Catalog. Add a new entry with your desired messages, input binds, and message set/number.
Fig 1.8 Creating the Message Information for Alert Notification Mail
Fig 1.8 Creating the Message Information for Alert Notification Mail

 

4. Create the Alert Definition

Now, create an alert based on the query you created. This alert will notify users of pending approvals.

Navigation: Main Menu > Enterprise Components > Events & Notifications > Alerts > Alert Definition

  • Navigate to Alert Definition and Create a new alert using the query.
Fig 1.9 Creating the Alert for Pending Approvals
Fig 1.9 Creating the Alert for Pending Approvals

 

  • Define the alert details as per your requirements.
Fig 1.10 Setting up the Mail Recipient
Fig 1.10 Setting up the Mail Recipient

 

Fig 1.11 Setting up the Message Catalog Created for the Mail Content and provide Transaction URL (Component Details)
Fig 1.11 Setting up the Message Catalog Created for the Mail Content and provide Transaction URL (Component Details)

 

5. Run the Alerts

Finally, schedule and run the alerts as needed. You can set the process to run at specific times, such as daily, to ensure users receive timely notifications.

Navigation: Main Menu > Enterprise Components > Events & Notifications > Alerts > Run Alerts

  • Navigate to Run Alerts and enter the Alert Query details to run the Process
Fig 1.12 Setting up the Details to Run the Alert
Fig 1.12 Setting up the Details to Run the Alert

 

  • Set up the process to run on a recurrence, such as daily or at a specific time.

Navigation: Main Menu > PeopleTools > Process Scheduler > Process Scheduler Recurrences

Fig 1.13 Creating Recurrence for the Alert Process
Fig 1.13 Creating Recurrence for the Alert Process

 

6. Receiving Alerts

With everything set up, users will receive alerts for pending approvals directly in their notifications. This allows them to prioritize their tasks without the need to log in and check their approval queue constantly.

Fig 1.14 Alerts Received in Mail for Pending Approvals
Fig 1.14 Alerts Received in Mail for Pending Approvals

 

Fig 1.15 Pending Approvals on the Approval Tile in MSS
Fig 1.15 Pending Approvals on the Approval Tile in MSS

 

Conclusion

By following these steps, we can create a system that automatically notifies users of pending approvals, helping them stay organized and efficient. This proof-of-concept guide provides a foundational approach that can be tailored to meet our specific business needs and security requirements. Stay ahead of the tasks and ensure no approval is missed with these automated alerts.

Author: Nandhini Devi Raman, Oracle PeopleSoft Consultant