Dataforms 101Tim Borntreger,Director of Client Service
AgendaIntroduction to DataformsAdding & Editing DataformsAdding & Editing Dataform
FieldsQuestions
INTRODUCTION TO DATAFORMS
Dataform Engine• Dynamically create and manage configurable data
collection points• The Dataform Schema should be carefully
modeled• Allows for Workflow Systemization• Allows for granular security, down to the field
level
Dataform Engine• Adding a Dataform will add a new table to the DB• Fields appears as columns in the table• Dataform Element Types will…– Control what values are acceptable to be stored– Control how data will be stored in the table
• Foreign Keys• Code Values
Before You Begin• Careful planning is a must!– What type of data needs to be tracked?– How will the data be used?– What relations will this Dataform have with other
Dataforms?• Adhere to relational database best practices
ADDING & EDITING DATAFORMS
Adding a Dataform1. From System Administration:
– Click “Add Dataform” Link
2. From System Administration:– Click “Dataform Admin” Link– Click “Add” button
Key Dataform Properties
Dataform Name:• This is the name you’ll see through out the application.• The Dataform Name field can be changed after created
Technical Table Names are…Auto-generated from the Dataform NameCannot be changed after created
Table Naming ConventionsNetwise created tables are auto prepended with “gen_”Custom tables are auto prepended with “gen_z”
Key Dataform Properties
Friendly Name:Coming soon….This is something you’ll really going to love!
Key Dataform Properties
Dataform Group:Grouping Dataforms makes your forms much easier to search for from in the Workspace.
Key Dataform Properties
Default Category for Attached Tasks: On creation of a Task from this Dataform, the category field of the task will default to the selected value.
Key Dataform Properties
Default Time Tracking Category:On creation of a Time Tracking record from this Dataform, the category field of the record will default to this selected value.
Key Dataform Properties
CRM Notes:Determines if this form can have CRM Notes attached. If so, the CRM Note icon will be visible in Classic. In CSNext the Activities section will be visible in the Action Center.
Key Dataform Properties
Comment Label Style:Mouse Over (default) - Label changes color on hover, hand appears on hover to indicate click function.Hyperlink - Label is underlined, hand appears on hover to indicate click function.
Key Dataform Properties
Description:Put a short description of the field and it's purpose here.
Extended Dataform Properties
Extended Dataform Properties
Extended Dataform Properties
Extended Dataform Properties
Extended Dataform Properties
Extended Dataform Properties
Extended Dataform Properties
Extended Dataform Properties
Extended Dataform Properties
Extended Dataform Properties
Extended Dataform Properties
Extended Dataform Properties
Demo: Build a Dataform
• Add a “Client Certificates“ Multi-Dataform• Rename the Dataform Name to get rid of the
appended “z”• Expose the form to workspaces by adding to
the Template workspace.• Sync workspace.
ADDING & EDITING DATAFORM FIELDS
Adding Fields to a Dataform• From System Administration:
– Click “Dataform Admin” Link– Search & Select the Dataform– Click the “Edit Attributes” button
Attribute/Field List View• Attributes are more commonly
referred to as Fields.• Provides a listing of all fields on the
Dataform• Allows for editing Dataform layout• Column 1 = left side and Column 2 =
right side• Multi Column controls which fields
will be displayed in search results on multi-dataforms
• Clicking on the Field Name displays Field Properties
Best Practice:• Increment your rows by 5 or 10• Restart numbering sequences within each Field Set
Example Dataform Layout
Field Properties• Properties vary by Element Types• Element Types have built in data
validation• Some Element Types allow for
configurable validations• Element Types are also referred to
as Data Types
Common Element Types–Date (datetime)–Lookup (text)–Field Set (no SQL field)–Checkbox (bit) – Integer (integer)–Decimal (decimal)–Money (decimal)–Percent (decimal)–Parent Form (foreign key) –Text (varchar)–Text-Wide (varchar)–TextArea (text) –Log (text)
Basic Field Properties• Field Label – What the user will
see• Field Name – Name seen from
the DB view• Row – Vertical Position• Column – Horizontal Position• Comments – Help Text
Extended Field Properties
Element Type: Field Set• Field Set
– Keeps related fields grouped
– Field Sets can go inside another Field Set
– Prefix Field Name with “fs”
Element Type: Lookup (core)• Lookup Group– Metadata
• Prefix Field Name with “lu”
Element Type: Money, Percent, Decimal• Mask (decimal only)• Search Operator• Minimum• Maximum
Element Type: Integer• Length• Search Operator• Minimum• Maximum
Element Types: Log, Text Area, Text-Wide, Text• No special properties
Element Type: Date• Default To Current Date• Select a Mask• Should be named
DateDOB
Element Type: Checkbox• Prefix Field Name with
the word Is, Has, or Can
Element Type: File Upload Manager - Database• Prefix Field Name with
“sf”
Element Type: Parent Form• Builds Relationships
between Dataforms– 1 to 1– 1 to Many
• The primary key of the parent record is stored on the child record.
Element Type: Parent Form• Parent Form• One To One
– Uncheck = many child records
• Form Link Name• Prefix with “fk”• Suffix with “ID”
Demo: Add Fields to a Dataform• Status (Active, Expiring
Soon, Expired)• Certificate Upload• General Liability checkbox
& Policy Number field• Work Comp checkbox and
Policy Number field
• Effective and Expiration Dates
• Notes Log • Renewal Certificate
Requested On and By fields. Place in a Field Set.