Beginning InfoPath™ 2003

6.1. Using the Right Control for the Right Job

InfoPath has default controls it puts on forms based on the type of data the field is for. It does a good job, but it can only do so much. For instance, if you add a date field to the form, the Date Picker control is created for you. However, if you have a data field that is based on a lookup field, InfoPath doesn't automatically create a drop-down list box to look up the values; you have to know how to do that.

To get comfortable with the different controls, the following table displays the names of the controls in the Controls task pane along with what time of data you would use it with.

Control Name	Type	Description
Text Box	Text Input	Default control for input, accepts plain text, no special characters.
Rich Text Box	Text Input	Accepts both plain text and rich text, allowing formatted text just as would be entered using Word with fonts, colors, and so on.
Drop-Down List Box	List Input	Displays specified values in a drop-down list, initially displaying the selected value.
List Box	List Input	Displays specified values in a list, initially displaying however many values you decide by dropping the control on the form.
Date Picker	Calendar	A calendar is displayed, and values chosen by clicking on a date.
Check Box	Yes/No	Used for specifying a true or false (yes or no) value. A checkmark is displayed in the box when true.
Option Box	Multiple Choice	Also called radio buttons, you can use option boxes to either pick multiple choices or single choices in a group. ...