Best Practices in Building a Form

Host: Ryan Coleman rcoleman@zerionsoftware.com

Presenter: Berit Johannessen bjohannessen@zerionsoftware.com

IFORMBUILDER• Android Release (Mapping

and Management)

• Esri Integration

• Integration (Hardware & Software)

• iFormBuilder Academy & Support Options

TRAINING TOPICS

Best Practices for Form Building

Form Building Golden Rules

Different Element Input Types

Building a Form- Demo & Walk-Thru*

Review & Closing

* Open up your Form Builder account to participate & build a form.

BEST PRACTICES FOR FORM BUILDINGSuccessfully building forms in Form Builder.

BEST PRACTICES FOR FORM BUILDING• Use a naming convention for all forms. (_parent and _child)

• Have device handy while building forms.

• Clean Local Database in iForm app if something doesn’t look right on form.

• Test on all device types before going live.

• Open multiple browser windows for convenience.

• Add *Required Fields once form is complete.

• Remember, only the parent form needs to be assigned.

• Follow iFormBuilder Golden Rules.

BEST PRACTICES FOR FORM BUILDING

• What devices will the end-users be using?

• What naming convention do I use for this form and option list?

• How should I structure the form? Are there going to be subforms? Where can I split up my form into different subforms?

• What element input types should I use for each question?

• Where can I add form functionality (Smart Controls) to cut down on human error?

Form Building Decisions

•  Number of inputs per form without logic (recommended guideline) •  iPod Touch 3rd Gen- 35 •  iPod Touch 4th Gen- 50 •  iPod Touch 5th Gen - 100

•  iPhone 3GS - 35 •  iPhone 4 - 50 •  iPhone 4S - 100 •  iPhone 5 -100

•  iPad 1 - 40 •  iPad 2 - 75 •  iPad 3 - 100 •  iPad 4 - 100 •  iPad Mini - 100

BEST PRACTICES FOR FORM BUILDINGBetter to break form into subforms rather than using a long form.

BEST PRACTICES FOR FORM BUILDING

Build for device type.

Build for smallest device.

Differences Features between iOS & Android Devices

1. Test before going live.  2. Unique Data Column Names that are database

friendly.* 3. DO NOT change Input Type, Data Size, or

Encryption for an element on a live form. IT WILL DELETE DATA.

4. If no longer using an element, do not delete make “Disabled”

* IF DCN is not friendly, form will not save. Refresh window, add element again, uncheck “based on Label” and change DCN.

ELEMENT INPUT TYPES40+ Elements including Software & Hardware Integrations

DIFFERENT ELEMENT INPUT TYPESAttachment Image Pick List (Option

List)Socket* Unique ID

Assign to Image Label Phone Number Sound Zip

BlueTherm Temp Prob*

Label Range SSN Esri

Date Linea Pro* Read-Only Subform

Date-Time MagStrip Red-Laser Text

Divider Manatee Works*

RFID Text Area

Drawing Multi-Select (Option List)

Select (Option List)

Time

Email Number Signature Toggle

*Integrated Software or Hardware

Option ListsDIFFERENT ELEMENT INPUT TYPES

Select - Pick-List - Multi-Select

Option List Manager Advanced - Key Values need to be unique - Add functionality for “Smart Option Lists” Icon URL - Add image icons to option list text

MaskingDIFFERENT ELEMENT INPUT TYPES

Elements with Masking •  SSN: ###-##-#### •  Zip Code: #####-9999 •  Phone Number: (###) ###-####

Customizing a Mask # - Only allow for Numerical Input. A - Allows for entry of Character and Numerical Input. ? - Only allow for entry of Character Input. 9- Optional Numerical Value. Example of Other Use Case SSN for Birthdate (MM-DD-YYYY) ##-##-####

DIFFERENT ELEMENT INPUT TYPESSmart Paging: Using Subforms

Naming Convention: Example:

berits_form_parent berits_form_food_child berits_form_travel_child berits_form_hotelstay_child

Data View: (XLS FEED Example) Differences with Link Mode: Single Vs. Multiple On Page Table View Vs. Separate Table View

DIFFERENT ELEMENT INPUT TYPESSmart Paging: Using Subforms

Separate'Table'View' On'Form'View'

BUILDING A FORMDemo & Walk-Thru

Form Fields

Full NameToday’s DateEmail AddressUniversity Building Inspection • Location of Building (Campus) • Building Name • Building Number • Reason for Inspection • Is there a need for a follow-up this week? (Yes/No) • Photo(s) of BuildingIs Inspection Complete? Who needs to be assigned the form?Signature

BUILDING A FORMCut down on human error by applying Functionality/Smart Controls or Smart

Table Search to * elements

Form Fields

Full Name*Today’s Date*Email AddressUniversity Building Inspection • Location of Building (Campus)* • Building Name* • Building Number* • Reason for Inspection • Is there a need for a follow-up this week? (Yes/No) • Photo(s) of BuildingIs Inspection Complete? Who needs to be assigned the form?Signature

CLOSINGNext Session Wednesday, August 27 at 4PM EST Form Builder 102: Building "Smart" Forms !View Recordings Recorded Training Sessions

Support Options Implementation Support Training Courses KickStart Training Program !Contact Us! Ryan Coleman Berit Johannessen