In this tip article we will see the advantages of InfoPath Forms compared with SharePoint List Forms.
You know that for a SharePoint List, for new / edit / delete operations we can invoke:
- SharePoint Built-in Forms
- InfoPath Forms
The following is a screen shot of both the forms:
The following are the advantages of using InfoPath Forms compared with the default forms:
Custom Design Possibility |
We can design the forms using InfoPath Designer that allows much more layout & user control choice. |
Better Formatting Options |
More colors & data formatting options are possible. |
Better Validation Options |
Better validations are possible |
Better Data Entry through Repeating & Nested Sections |
Repeating Sections allow capturing of repeating set of data. For example multiple contacts addresses with same kind of fields like address, city, and state. |
Lookup Data from various sources |
|
Offline Form Filling |
Forms can be send to users for offline filling (through email attachment) |
Digital Signature |
Users can digitally sign the form |
Managed Code Integration |
We can write custom code for much more control. |
Late Form Submissions |
Completed forms can be submitted later on through the Submit feature of InfoPath form filler. |
The advantages are depicted below:
InfoPath & InfoPath Forms Services
Please note that there is a subtle difference between InfoPath & InfoPath Forms Services. InfoPath Forms Services is only available in the Enterprise edition of SharePoint.
InfoPath Forms provide browser-based form filling. The advantage is that the client need not install an InfoPath application to use forms.
You can see the edition features here:
http://sharepoint.microsoft.com/en-us/buy/pages/editions-comparison.aspx
References
http://bit.ly/pFvhVf
Summary
In this article we have gone through the advantages of InfoPath forms compared with SharePoint forms. I hope this will provide a good grip for advocating InfoPath forms with the customer.