Essential SharePoint 2007, 2nd Edition

Using Form Libraries

SharePoint form libraries are special document libraries for collecting data gathered through Microsoft InfoPath. InfoPath provides a platform for creating and displaying data-entry forms that may incorporate:

• Links to remote data sources such as SQL or Access databases

• Text fields that include simple formatting such as bold, italic, bulleted lists, etc.

• Office-like editing tools such as autocorrect and spellchecking

• Complex data validation

• Detail and summary views of data

• The ability to submit form data to a database or to an email recipient

• Property promotion so that form data automatically becomes part of the searchable SharePoint form library

InfoPath's form-creation tools are based on XML and its related standards. It is perhaps most useful for medium to large corporations that use XML schemas as part of their information architecture. If you're not familiar with XPath, XML, XSD, and XSLT, you may find designing InfoPath forms difficult. On the other hand, filling out an InfoPath form is very easy.

Warning

The following sections assume you have InfoPath 2007 installed on your computer. For a trial copy of the product, search www.microsoft.com for "InfoPath 2007 trial."

Understanding Form Libraries

A form library is basically a document library that uses an InfoPath form template as a template rather than a Word, Excel, or PowerPoint file. To add a new item to the library:

• Click New on the library toolbar. SharePoint opens the template in InfoPath, as shown in Figure 10-1 ...