InfoPath 2007 Form Design

1 Day –Level 200

Course Outline

This 2-day class introduces students to building electronic forms using InfoPath 2007. The course is aimed at non-technical staff who have a good understanding of Microsoft Office products and SharePoint 2007 but are neither developers nor system administrators. The focus of the course will be on the creation of forms for publishing as web pages through SharePoint Forms Services. All of the skills learned in this course will be applicable to students who intend to publish forms that can be filled out directly through the InfoPath 2007 client and references will be provided for reading into additional topics.

Skills Gained

After completing the course students will be able to: • Create custom InfoPath forms • Define data fields and add controls to a form • Validate data entry into fields • Connect forms to external data sources • Define custom views • Publish forms to a SharePoint library • Publish forms to a Content Type • Use forms in custom workflows

Target Audience

The class is designed for business analysts, content managers, and site administrators who want to develop electronic forms using InfoPath 2007 and SharePoint 2007 Forms Services.

Prerequisites:

Students should have experience working with Office 2003 or 2007. Experience with using SharePoint 2007 for storing and editing documents and familiarity with SharePoint list management is also required.

1. Introduction to InfoPath and Electronic Forms

This chapter introduces students to the concept of electronic forms and how they can leverage on the features and benefits of InfoPath 2007 to integrate forms within their business environment • InfoPath and Forms Services • Features & Benefits of InfoPath 2007 • Features & Benefits of InfoPath 2010 • Form Templates and Form Data

2. Getting started with InfoPath as a User

In this chapter introduces the core components of an InfoPath solution and explains how they fit together in the context of SharePoint and electronic forms solution. • Getting started with InfoPath 2007 • Form Fields • Form Sections • Views • Digitally Signing a Form • Submitting Forms • Exporting Forms • Browser-based Forms

3. Getting started with InfoPath form as a Designer

This chapter will introduce to designers who will be implementing InfoPath forms the concept of a form template and template parts as we as the initial steps for creating their first InfoPath Form. The chapter will also cover areas such as design considerations and the use of form design tools. • Introduction to InfoPath Form Templates • Creating a new Form Template • Types of InfoPath Form Templates • Introduction to InfoPath Form Template Parts • Designing forms for optimal delivery • Using the InfoPath design tools

4. Designing a Form Template – Controls, Rules and Validation

In this chapter we explore the InfoPath 2007 client and learn to build form templates by adding and configuring controls in the designer and configuring validation logic and conditional formatting criteria to these controls. • Form Layout • Adding Controls • Template Parts • Data Sources • Design Checker • Conditional Formatting • Data Validation • Rules

5. Designing a Form Template – Creating Data Connections

This chapter explains how to create connections between InfoPath forms and external data sources. Data connections allow drop-down boxes to be populated from database tables and allow the data collected on the form to be submitted to a web service. • Data Connections • Web Services • SharePoint Lists

6. Designing a Form Template – Working with InfoPath Views

In this chapter we show how to expand the amount of information that can be captured and managed on a form by organizing fields into separate views which can hide and display sets of controls based on user choices. • Paging in Forms • Alternate Views • View Options • Changing Views • Data Connection Libraries (DCL)

7. Publishing an InfoPath Form

This chapter explains the several methods of publishing a form template to make it available to users for creating and submitting form data. Publishing methods include to a network location, via email, and to a SharePoint library. • Publishing to a SharePoint Form Library • Publishing to a SharePoint Site as a Content Type. • Installable Form Template • Security in InfoPath Forms

8. Using InfoPath Forms in Workflow

This chapter takes InfoPath forms and combines them with SharePoint workflows to create full-featured solutions to business needs. • Introduction to SharePoint Workflows • Types of Workflows • Workflow Forms • Using InfoPath forms in SharePoint workflows

9. Integration with Office 2007

In this chapter we look at methods for creating forms by importing Word and Excel files. We also explain how to use InfoPath forms to create custom Document Information Panels for Office 2007 documents. • Importing Word/Excel Forms • Document Information Panels

Appendix A – The XSN File Structure