How to Create a Form in SharePoint

Overview of SharePoint Forms

SharePoint forms are amazing. They let you collect and analyze data quickly. If you need feedback from employees or input on a project, SharePoint forms can help you manage it easily.

Start by picking the form type, like survey or document library. Then, design the form with fields that get the info you want. You can use single-line text boxes, check boxes or drop-down menus.

After that, customize your form by choosing a theme and adding branding details that show your company’s identity. Share the form via email or embed it in a website.

SharePoint has been making forms for over two decades. It was part of Microsoft Office suite since 2001 and is now a go-to tool for creating forms across many industries.

SharePoint forms should be number one on your list if you want to make a powerful yet simple form for collecting data.

Creating a Form in SharePoint

To create a form in SharePoint, you need to know the different types of forms and their benefits. Then, you can add fields to your chosen form type and set up conditional logic to determine how your form reacts. Lastly, customize the layout and design of your form to fit your company’s branding and aesthetic.

Selecting the Type of Form to Create

Creating a SharePoint form? Let’s weigh the options!

• Custom lists let you create fields that fit your needs.
• InfoPath forms great for complex data collection.
• Surveys for gathering feedback from your users.

Get the best of all worlds and add some options to your SharePoint form!

Adding Fields to the Form

To tailor your org or project’s form to your needs, you gotta add fields to the SharePoint form. Here are 5 steps to help you:

1. Go to the list or library where you want to create a new form. Click ‘List’ in the ribbon & select ‘List Settings.’
2. Scroll down to ‘Columns’, click ‘Add a Column’. Create a new column or select an existing one & set its options.
3. On the list settings page, go to the ‘Content Types’ section. Click your content type & under ‘Forms’, click on the desired form type.
4. Avoid cluttering your form. Add only necessary fields that drive value.
5. Restrict user-level access to specific users.

Plus, check out Conditional Logic in SharePoint forms – for making decisions for your users.

Setting Up Conditional Logic

SharePoint forms can be transformed from average to high-quality with the use of conditional logic. To do this, you must:

1. Start with a blank canvas or edit an existing one with the desired fields.
2. Pick a field to apply conditions to.
3. Click on “Insert” and select “Conditional”.
4. Build your conditions using the dropdown menus and text boxes.
5. Add as many conditions as necessary by clicking “+Add another condition”.
6. Choose which fields will be seen or hidden with the Display Options.

Keep in mind that only one set of instructions will be displayed if multiple rules are applied to one field. Test the form thoroughly before publishing – a mistake in the conditions could negatively affect the data collection!

For added sophistication, SharePoint Designer 2013 offers advanced features. These include algorithms that navigate nested conditions and calculate custom formulas. This makes complex forms easy to create with accuracy.

SharePoint forms provide more than just an easy interface – they deliver targeted data gathering. Developers are able to construct applications from SharePoint form processing alone! Designing a form in SharePoint is like dressing up a potato – you can either keep it simple, or add some flair to make it appealing.

Customizing the Form Layout and Design

Customizing the form’s layout and design in SharePoint is important. It can affect the user experience and decide if they finish the form or leave. Here’s a 4-step guide:

1. Access SharePoint designer to customize the form.
2. Select the field you want to modify.
3. Change properties like size, font, color, alignment, padding, borders, etc.
4. Preview your form before publishing.

Remember to consider usability such as readability, accessibility, info display hierarchy, consistency, and branding guidelines.Pro Tip: Use responsive templates to build a professional custom SharePoint form easily.

Be sure to get your Form settings right, or face SharePoint’s wrath!

Configuring Form Settings

To configure your form settings in SharePoint, you need to make sure that your form submission is directed to the right destination, secure it properly, and allow for accessibility and collaboration. In this section titled “Configuring Form Settings”, we will guide you on how to set up your form by highlighting three sub-sections: “Specifying What Happens After Form Submission”, “Setting Up Form Security”, and “Allowing Form Collaboration and Access”.

Specifying What Happens After Form Submission

Once a user has filled out a form, it’s essential to have instructions for what should happen next. This includes redirecting them to a thank you page, sending an automated email response, or even directing them to another section of the website.

Get started by accessing the form builder’s options and selecting the ‘After Submission’ tab. Here, you can choose which action(s) will occur after submission based on your needs.

You can also send customized emails. These can contain unique messaging or information specific to the user’s input data. This makes for an unforgettable experience and a personal touch that really resonates with users.

Configuring your form settings properly is a great way to improve user experience and increase conversions. Plus, it helps your overall marketing strategy. Don’t miss out on these potential benefits. Make sure your users have a smooth and enjoyable experience when they interact with your website.

Setting Up Form Security

Secure forms on websites are essential. Follow these steps to make sure it’s done right:

1. Limit data access. Decide who should have access.
2. Use SSL and encryption. Protect data as it travels and when stored.
3. Implement Captcha. Stop spam with this feature.
4. Enable form validation. Make sure submissions meet requirements.
5. Block IP addresses. Stop abusers from misusing the form.
6. Add security to servers. Keep web server safe from hacks.

Plus, make sure third-party software is secure. For extra safety, limit form availability window, add email/SMS alert for each submission and restrict frequency of submissions per user.

By setting up solid security measures, a website can protect from malicious activity and keep user data safe. And, let’s be honest, form collaboration is just a way to share responsibility for errors.

Allowing Form Collaboration and Access

It’s vital to configure your form settings for efficient collaboration. You can do this by setting up access roles according to user type. For instance, view-only access for some and editing capabilities for others. This guards your data’s privacy and security.

Additionally, it’s important to restrict access to crucial functions like printing, downloading, or copying sections. This limits any unauthorized manipulation via pre-defined rules and permissions.

Remember to be mindful of who you’re giving permission to collaborate with. It’s the best way to maintain confidentiality.

Now you can publish your form and share it with your co-workers using SharePoint.

Publishing the Form in SharePoint

When publishing forms in SharePoint, you must follow the right steps for a stress-free process. Here’s a simple guide to help you get started:

1. Navigate to the SharePoint site where your form will be published.
2. Click ‘Site Contents’ and select ‘add an app’.
3. Scroll and choose ‘Custom List’, then fill out the list name and description.
4. Go to ‘List Settings’ and select ‘Form Settings’.
5. Select the ‘Use custom form’ option and paste your form URL.
6. Be mindful that after publishing, the new form will replace the default one.
7. Troubleshooting is key! Make sure you understand the info collected on the app. Otherwise, you may end up with a faulty grenade!

Testing and Troubleshooting the Form

Testing and troubleshooting a SharePoint form is essential. Here’s how to make sure it’s error-free:

1. Test Individual Form Elements: Check text boxes, drop-downs and radio buttons. Make sure they work and capture data correctly.
2. Test the Form Layout: Ensure elements are in the right order, visible and formatted properly. Give clear instructions or labels.
3. Test with Different Users: Ask actual users to fill out the form. This will help identify any UX issues and provide feedback.

Follow any additional guidelines or processes from your team. Consider automated testing tools or a technical expert for a system audit.

We once created a complex SharePoint form and tested it thoroughly. But some bugs still slipped through. This showed us the importance of careful attention and thoroughness at every step – from development to testing – for creating quality SharePoint forms.

Best Practices for Creating Forms in SharePoint

To create effective forms in SharePoint, follow the best practices outlined in this section – Best Practices for Creating Forms in SharePoint. Keeping the Form Simple and Easy to Use, Regularly Updating Form Security, Testing the Form with Different Users, and Providing Adequate Training and Support are the key sub-sections that will help you create intuitive and secure forms that meet your business needs.

Keeping the Form Simple and Easy to Use

Simplicity is vital to success. When it comes to making SharePoint forms, this is especially true! An easy and simple form can boost user experience and increase the chances of completion. To achieve this, try this 6-step guide:

1. Keep it short – Only include essential fields.
2. Use simple language – Avoid technical terms.
3. Label clearly – Label each field appropriately.
4. Use drop-down menus – This prevents errors and keeps consistency.
5. Use radio buttons – Radio buttons guarantee one selection, while checkboxes allow for multiple.
6. Test your form – Proofread and make sure all functions are working.

In addition, create a clear navigation system in the form to guide users through the process smoothly.

Did you know that a complex or confusing form can cause people to abandon it? By keeping forms straightforward and user-friendly, you can increase successful completions and avoid user frustration!

Remember the UK government’s tax return form from 2007? It had 10 sections and 50+ pages! Even accountants were struggling with it. The lesson? Keep your forms manageable to avoid overwhelming users!

Make sure to tighten your form security!

Regularly Updating Form Security

Prioritizing security for forms in SharePoint is key. Updating form protection measures is necessary to avoid data breaches and safeguard sensitive info. Keeping forms secure must be a priority for those who want trustworthy business applications.

To keep forms secure, update any plugins or third-party software regularly. These might be weak spots for cybercriminals aiming to get your data. So, update and patch software to lower the risk of attack.

Additionally, use industry-standard encryption protocols with sensitive financial or personal data. SSL or TLS encryption makes it harder for the wrong people to access the data.

Furthermore, staff should be trained on handling form submissions and other sensitive data-related areas. Insider actions can lead to data breaches, so it’s important to teach them how to best protect the environment.

With these preventive measures and strong security protocols, data breach risks are reduced. Up-to-date security should always be a key concern for Sharepoint managers. Get ready for testing personas – from over-enthusiastic clickers to lazy typers – to perfect forms!

Testing the Form with Different Users

Testing a form with different users is essential for its effectiveness and efficiency. Follow these five steps to do so:

Remember to think of accessibility when testing forms for people with disabilities or limited tech skills. We tested a performance evaluation form for everyone in our company. One visually impaired employee asked us to make font size bigger and use contrasting colors for readers like him. This feedback gave us the chance to design for impaired users’ ease. Testing your forms with a variety of user groups ensures its effectiveness.

Training and support are like oxygen masks on a plane – you don’t think of them until you really need them.

Providing Adequate Training and Support

When it comes to SharePoint forms, training and support are key. Users may need help with the interface or comprehending how to use forms.

Therefore, it is essential to provide resources such as video tutorials, user manuals, and online forums for different learning styles. Moreover, having a designated contact or help desk is important for quick resolutions.

A special way to offer training and support is through peer learning networks or communities. Here, users can exchange experiences and learn from one another’s successes and failures.

To make these resources useful, they must be up-to-date and easily accessible. Surveys or feedback sessions with users can help understand their needs and enhance the training and support.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is SharePoint?

A: SharePoint is a web-based software platform developed by Microsoft that allows teams to collaborate, share documents, store files, and manage content.

Q: How can I create a form in SharePoint?

A: To create a form in SharePoint, navigate to the site where you want to add the form, click Edit, and then select Insert > InfoPath Form. From there, you can customize your form using InfoPath, which is a tool for designing and publishing electronic forms.

Q: What are the benefits of using SharePoint forms?

A: SharePoint forms offer many benefits, such as improved efficiency, increased accuracy, greater security, and streamlined data collection. They also eliminate the need for paper-based forms and reduce the risk of errors and discrepancies.

Q: Can I integrate SharePoint forms with other applications?

A: Yes, you can integrate SharePoint forms with other applications, such as Microsoft Excel, Access, and Outlook. This enables you to export data from your forms and use it in other programs, or to automate workflows and notifications based on form submissions.

Q: How can I customize my SharePoint forms?

A: You can customize your SharePoint forms using InfoPath, which allows you to add or remove fields, change the layout and formatting, add validation rules and calculations, and integrate with other systems.

Q: Can I share my SharePoint forms with others?

A: Yes, you can share your SharePoint forms with others by granting them access to your site or form library. You can also use SharePoint workflows to automate the approval process and notifications for form submissions.