The Forms module is the first data entry module created for iDashboards, first appearing in version 10.5. It is a separately licensed feature. The Forms module can be used for a number of purposes such as reservations, log book, questionnaires, surveys, etc. It's an easy to use interface with drag and drop functionality. The data entered is stored in the data store database and the entered data can can then be used to populate charts for analysis purposes.
Creating Your First Form
1. Select a category that, you would like to create the form in. (You can save it to a different category later if you choose through a dropdown like in chart designer)
2. Click the green plus button and you'll be presented with the choice of creating a new database table or using an existing table. In this case you'll want to select new for your first form.
Create New
A new form will be saved to the datastore database using the naming convention below.
- “f_” + <form name> + “_” + <form ID>
- Ex: “f_survey_results_1035”
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Select your datastore database and a schema. In most cases selecting dbo for the schema is fine.
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After selecting your schema you'll be presented with a blank form designer.
From Existing Table
This option will create a generic from based on an existing database table. This table will never adjust based on what you do in the form designer.
- The form can ONLY display fields if it can be mapped to an existing table column. If a column doesn't exist, the DBA will need to add the column to the table.
- The form does not have to use all columns from the existing table.
Building a Form
Most of the form attributes that can be added to a form in the left column are self explanatory, but I'll give a brief description of each and any addition information as necessary.
Note: To save and or preview your form at the bare minimum the software will force you to add a hidden UUID field that generates a random alphanumeric string for each row of data that gets saved. Alternatively you can add the Metadata field to your form which will add additional user data to the entries like create and update username.
Data Field Group
1. Address - Provides all the standard fields for an address, street, Apt/Building, City, State, and zip code.
2. Checkbox List - Allows you to create one or multiple checkboxes so uses can select multiple choices. You can also chose the field size and layout.
3. Multiple Text - A special field where the form builder can set one or more text fields that either the user can fill in or can be set to auto-populate with metadata.
4. Metadata - A hidden set of metadata fields that populates with user data with each form entry.
Data Fields
Text - A single line of text field. You can control the length.
Text box - A multi-line text field. You can control the length.
Email Address - A field to enter an email address.
Dropdown Field - Similar to creating a parameter in chart designer. You can manually enter in values or select a picklist to populate the dropdown list.
Radio Button List - Provides a list of radio buttons. Users can select one choice. You can populate it manually or by selecting a picklist.
Boolean
Checkbox - It's Boolean, check it for true, leave it blank for false.
Number
Number - A number field in which you can specify and range and format or select one of the autopopulate options.
Datetime
Date and Date and time - Both options work the same way. You can set it to have a user click on the field and select a date or date and time. You also have autopopulate options
- From External System - A read only value generated from outside of the forms module.
- Create Timestamp - Generates a timestamp when the record is added.
- Update Timestamp - Generates a timestamp when a record is updated.
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