Forms
A form is a digital representation of a document. It captures data in a logical structure and records it as information for further use. It can also display information to users. By configuring the form properties, the form can be finalized by the users in a business logic like validating user input, preventing users from viewing or editing unauthorized data, customized input fields, custom behavior when the user clicks on a button, etc.
All forms go through a development cycle before they are ready for use in business or are not relevant to business anymore.
Types of forms
Data forms
A data form is designed to capture data from users and to record it. A typical data form contains different types of input fields that are arranged into a meaningful layout using sections and groups. The input fields have labels and optionally may also have short instructions to guide users how to fill in data in these fields. Smartflow provides a rich set of input fields to be placed on a form to capture various inputs like text, number, date, time, image, link etc. A filled in form should be saved in order to record the provided information for further use.
An example of a data form is an inspection checklist.
Inspectors have to fill in a set of inspection points. With various input fields, they can capture images or record meter readings during their inspections.
Information forms
An information form is designed to show read-only information to users. It displays information like summaries or overviews based on the data recorded through data forms. An information form does not accept user input and hence does not record anything.
An example of an information form: an overview of inspection points.
An information form presents your clients about the status of their equipment, showing them the results of the inspections.
Subforms
A subform can either be an independent data form or information form. It’s referenced from another form and typically used to meet the requirement of enhancing efficiency. A large form can be logically split into smaller independent parts and each part can be designed as a subform. The main form should hold the references to the subforms so that the user can open the subforms through the main form.
A subform can also exist as an independent form i.e. without being referenced from another form.
For example, a large form that has a large section with many input fields and a long instructions text can be simplified using subforms.
The section can be designed as a separate data form and defined as a subform. The long instruction text can be placed in a separate information form and defined as a subform. The main form will then have less content to show on screen and will contain two buttons to open the two subforms.
Shared forms
A shared form is relatively small compared to a data form or an information form. It is intended to be used as a template within other forms(main form). It shares a set of input fields or static information across multiple forms. When a shared form is included in another form, it is rendered as a section of that form and the data recorded through the input fields of the shared form is stored in the main form itself.
Unlike a subform, a shared form can only exist as part of another form and you can’t open or fill it independently.
Wizards
You can easily convert a data form into a wizard. When a form is converted into a wizard, each section of the form is treated as a wizard step. Users can navigate through the sections of the form using Next and Previous buttons.
By converting a form into a wizard you reduce the complexity of the form and and make it more user-friendly.