http://www.perfectforms.com/forums/ Forums for the PerfectForms.com Application en Wed, 08 Feb 2012 04:03:29 +0000 http://www.perfectforms.com/forums/topic/how-do-multiple-instances-of-a-child-form-work#post-2482 Tue, 08 Nov 2011 15:20:07 +0000 srogers 2482@http://www.perfectforms.com/forums/ <p>I also have a table listing each of these child instances, so they can be opened and viewed. It appears that the form must be submitted between each child form instance in order to be able to have the child form opened in this way.<br /> So I made a button that submits/reopens the form, but I have logic that causes the form to open to a specific page based on form stage.... Not working so well. </p> http://www.perfectforms.com/forums/topic/how-do-multiple-instances-of-a-child-form-work#post-2480 Mon, 07 Nov 2011 21:57:48 +0000 Dennis @ PerfectForms 2480@http://www.perfectforms.com/forums/ <p>Yes you should be able to create multiple child instances from a single parent instance. Make sure your parent form has been submitted and re-opened before creating the child instances. </p> http://www.perfectforms.com/forums/topic/how-do-multiple-instances-of-a-child-form-work#post-2479 Mon, 07 Nov 2011 19:41:21 +0000 srogers 2479@http://www.perfectforms.com/forums/ <p>Yes, I have that checkbox already checked. I should be able to do what I'm aiming for here, correct? There shouldn't be a conflict between multiple child instances? </p> http://www.perfectforms.com/forums/topic/how-do-multiple-instances-of-a-child-form-work#post-2478 Mon, 07 Nov 2011 18:35:28 +0000 Dennis @ PerfectForms 2478@http://www.perfectforms.com/forums/ <p>When the child is created it probably opens and then submits. On the submit behavior object in the child make sure under MISC the checkbox that says Submit as Child Even If Parent is not Submitted has been checked.<br /> <a href="http://www.perfectforms.com/">Workflow software, </a><a href="http://www.perfectforms.com/">Process software, </a><a href="http://www.perfectforms.com/">Procedure software</a> </p> http://www.perfectforms.com/forums/topic/how-do-multiple-instances-of-a-child-form-work#post-2477 Mon, 07 Nov 2011 18:25:39 +0000 srogers 2477@http://www.perfectforms.com/forums/ <p>Hello,<br /> I have a parent form with two child forms. Can I have multiple instances of one of the child forms on the same parent instance?</p> <p>I am getting some wonky results with it - When more than one instance of the child form is created in the same session (The parent is not saved/submitted between instances), the original child instance is opened instead of a new blank instance. I'm also getting form notifications going to the wrong people (Notifications directed to an email address taken from a field, which is set via a Custom Parameter or Connection, depending on a drop-down fiel selection). Since my form design looks like it should work, I conclude that the problem lies in how the parent-child relationship works.</p> <p>Any thoughts? </p> http://www.perfectforms.com/forums/topic/using-sql-master-child#post-2218 Wed, 15 Jun 2011 16:48:22 +0000 Dennis @ PerfectForms 2218@http://www.perfectforms.com/forums/ <p>If I understand your issue correctly, you need to send all of the data in a form table to a SQL DB. You can use table column - all rows in a connection as a send parameter. If that works - great, but it may not be in a very usable format for you.<br /> Another option is to create a behavior to loop through each row of a table. When you get to the next row you can either use a connection to send the data from that row, or you can put the data into hidden fields to send when you reach the bottom of the table. If you do a connect between each row it may slow your performance. If you use hidden fields it limits the number of rows you can send to SQL by the number of hidden fields you create.<br /> <a href="http://www.perfectforms.com/">Workflow software, </a><a href="http://www.perfectforms.com/">Process software, </a><a href="http://www.perfectforms.com/">Procedure software</a> </p> http://www.perfectforms.com/forums/topic/using-sql-master-child#post-2216 Tue, 14 Jun 2011 22:38:19 +0000 Hugo Solano 2216@http://www.perfectforms.com/forums/ <p>We are trying to setup a form that updates all of its data to SQL tables. Here is the setup:</p> <p>Master Table:<br /> Primary Key<br /> Several fields</p> <p>Secondary Table 1:<br /> Primary Key<br /> Specific field</p> <p>Secondary Table 2:<br /> Primary Key<br /> Specific field</p> <p>The issue here is that all data must be stored in SQL tables. We are using the connection agent and everything is fine. The question is what is the best practice inserting/displaying/maintaining multi-value seconday records.</p> <p>We tried form table objects, but the whole SQL insert/update/delete doesn't work well there. We think a parent-child form relationship may do it. What is the best type of control to use to display/insert/delete records?</p> <p>Any help is surely appreciated.</p> <p>Hugo </p> http://www.perfectforms.com/forums/topic/update-a-parent-form#post-1791 Thu, 11 Nov 2010 20:04:23 +0000 Dennis @ PerfectForms 1791@http://www.perfectforms.com/forums/ <p>Pass the instance ID of the parent as a custom parameter to the child. Then you can use a "set field in other instance" behavior object in the child to set the field in the parent. </p> http://www.perfectforms.com/forums/topic/update-a-parent-form#post-1762 Fri, 05 Nov 2010 09:57:13 +0000 889 1762@http://www.perfectforms.com/forums/ <p>How do I update a parent form with fields from the child form without submitting the parent form.<br /> I have this table for invoice as my child form.What I actually want is when I close this invoice(child form), some fields from there will be shown to my parent form. </p> http://www.perfectforms.com/forums/topic/get-custom-parameter#post-1695 Wed, 29 Sep 2010 16:13:50 +0000 Dennis @ PerfectForms 1695@http://www.perfectforms.com/forums/ <p>It sounds like you have a behavior that is clearing your hidden field. I will send you my email address so you can send me a copy of the PF file for your child form. I can take a look at it if you like. </p> http://www.perfectforms.com/forums/topic/get-custom-parameter#post-1694 Wed, 29 Sep 2010 09:00:30 +0000 Jackie H 1694@http://www.perfectforms.com/forums/ <p>Thank you Dennis - I have made significant progress!! I fixed the mandatory fields issues and now each child form is successfully submitted immediately after creation, in an Open state. Initial email notifications go out correctly. However, only the notification sent to the first email address in the list contains a link that will stay open when clicked - (it can then be completed and when submitted again goes to a Closed state). I created a hidden "helper" field in the "Form is Opened" behaviour as you suggested earlier, and I have checked that for each of my child forms (open or closed state) the field does contain a value, which should mean that the form stays open when accessed from the notification. Any ideas? I've checked everything I can think of. </p> http://www.perfectforms.com/forums/topic/get-custom-parameter#post-1692 Tue, 28 Sep 2010 17:11:54 +0000 Dennis @ PerfectForms 1692@http://www.perfectforms.com/forums/ <p>It sounds like you have at least 3 stages: New (when it opens, grabs the custom parameters and closes), stage 2 when the user accesses it via the link, and stage 3 (closed). You should make the last stage a closed stage. If this is a long survey, you may also want to give your user the option of saving and returning later which would involve more stages.<br /> I cannot diagnose why your notifications are not sending without seeing the .pf file for your form.<br /> With regard to mandatory fields I find best practice to be using a check mandatory behavior object rather than the mandatory check box for each object on the page. Instead of using a submit button (or a page button) use a regular button and change the caption to next or submit. On "button is pressed" use a check mandatory object and then submit or show next page. This way your form can submit under one behavior without concern form mandatory objects in another behavior. The other advantage is that on a multiple page form, your users will not get to the end before finding out that they missed fields way back on page 1. </p> http://www.perfectforms.com/forums/topic/get-custom-parameter#post-1691 Tue, 28 Sep 2010 10:46:28 +0000 Jackie H 1691@http://www.perfectforms.com/forums/ <p>I have created a workflow in my child form where stage one is a default stage, and stage 2 is when the form closes (but I haven't made it a Closed stage - should I? - there is more to follow, when the recipient completes and submits from the notification) On the join path I have created a notification as you have described. The notification takes the email address from a field that is set in the behaviour when the form opens. I know this behaviour works. However, the notification email isn't working. I wondered about the email settings (server) but I have made email notifications work in other forms by leaving it as "default" so I don't think that is the problem.</p> <p>Also re your help: "I will add another bit of advice: If you want the child to simply open, grab the custom parameter, close, and send a notification, use a hidden helper field in the child. Create a behavior on when the form opens. Start with a simple branch - is the hidden field empty? If true, then set the hidden field with a 1 (or any other value), set the email field with the custom parameter, and submit the form (closing the browser window). When the user clicks the link in the notification to access their form instance there will be a value in the hidden field so the instance will remain open for them! " - how can I submit the form here when it is full of mandatory fields that the user has to complete? If a child form opens, has fields set in it, and then closes, what happens to it? Does it have to open, have fields set in it, and be submitted in some way or other? I'm lost! </p> http://www.perfectforms.com/forums/topic/get-custom-parameter#post-1690 Mon, 27 Sep 2010 15:24:04 +0000 Dennis @ PerfectForms 1690@http://www.perfectforms.com/forums/ <p>I'm glad you asked the question. We find the best practice for notifications is to set them in the work flow. In the join paths between work flow stages you can create behaviors. This is where I place notifications. In your scenario, between stages 1 and 2. Use the condition "always if no other condition is met", so when the form opens and closes it automatically moves from stage 1 to stage 2. When is closes it will send the notification(s) (assuming that you have set them).</p> <p>Part two of your question: When the parent runs the show form behavior, it is creating a new instance of your child form. When the child form sends a notification to the user, the link in that notification will bring the user back to the same instance of the form. It is a unique instance of that form. This is the fact that gives you the ability to track your users individually. Your child form can be built to send back up notifications until the instance is completed. You can build a report to show you from a high level or granular level what progress your users have made towards completing their form instances. </p> http://www.perfectforms.com/forums/topic/get-custom-parameter#post-1689 Mon, 27 Sep 2010 10:38:24 +0000 Jackie H 1689@http://www.perfectforms.com/forums/ <p>Hi Dennis - this was really helpful. I have got as far as your "another bit of advice". I have created the behaviour that you describe, in "Form Opens" in the child. (Is there a False response to the simple branch? I don't think so...) </p> <p>My child forms show correctly with the email address in place (I'll hide the field in due course..) Can you advise me where to build the notification behaviour? I have currently got it in "page is opened" in the child, but it isn't working... Also, should it be child opens, notification is sent, child closes, or child opens, child closes, notification is sent? Or doesn't it matter? What is the difference between the showing of the form (behaviour in the parent) and the user opening the form from the email notification - I mean, should I be doing the notification in the behaviour in the parent? (I think I may be answering my own question as I write it....! But would welcome your advice.) </p> http://www.perfectforms.com/forums/topic/get-custom-parameter#post-1685 Fri, 24 Sep 2010 00:20:29 +0000 Dennis @ PerfectForms 1685@http://www.perfectforms.com/forums/ <p>If I have a table in a parent from which I am extracting custom parameters, I like to use a helper field to temporarily hold that value (in your case, the email address). You can make it a hidden field if you want.<br /> When you start the behavior use a set table object to move the current row of the table to the first row. Then set your new field with the value in the current row of the table, then bring in your show form object to create your child (using the value in the new field as your custom parameter). From here you need to create a looping behavior to make sure that you create a child for every row in your table. Use a set table row and move the current row to the next row. Then use a simple branch with the advanced condition (special - last command was successful). If true, loop back to your set field. If false, end the behavior. This behavior will launch a child instance for every row in the table.<br /> I will add another bit of advice: If you want the child to simply open, grab the custom parameter, close, and send a notification, use a hidden helper field in the child. Create a behavior on when the form opens. Start with a simple branch - is the hidden field empty? If true, then set the hidden field with a 1 (or any other value), set the email field with the custom parameter, and submit the form (closing the browser window). When the user clicks the link in the notification to access their form instance there will be a value in the hidden field so the instance will remain open for them! </p> http://www.perfectforms.com/forums/topic/get-custom-parameter#post-1683 Thu, 23 Sep 2010 13:07:24 +0000 Jackie H 1683@http://www.perfectforms.com/forums/ <p>I have a very simple parent form containing a table in which one column contains email addresses (at the moment only one email address). My Show Form behaviour opens up a child form and I want to get the email address into the child form so that I can use it to send a notification. In the Show Form behaviour in the parent form I have set the table column to be a Custom Parameter, and in the child form I am trying to do a set field formula when the page opens to pick up the email address from the parent. The formula I'm choosing here is Get Custom Parameter. But I am not sure how I "get" the parameter in question.... Nothing I try has worked so far. Any ideas? I am probably doing something very simple incorrectly!!</p> <p>Ah... I think the trouble is with my table. I managed to do it from a field outside the table. </p> http://www.perfectforms.com/forums/topic/parent-data-to-first-and-subsequent-child-forms#post-1676 Mon, 13 Sep 2010 16:56:15 +0000 Dennis @ PerfectForms 1676@http://www.perfectforms.com/forums/ <p>The custom parameter must come from the parent. In the scenario you describe the child form becomes the parent. Since the first child (old child/new parent) form now holds the data, get a custom parameter from this instance (old child/new parent)and when the new child opens get the parameter. </p> http://www.perfectforms.com/forums/topic/parent-data-to-first-and-subsequent-child-forms#post-1674 Wed, 08 Sep 2010 11:02:37 +0000 Peanuts890 1674@http://www.perfectforms.com/forums/ <p>I have a fairly simple parent/child application. the parent form acts as a portal and holds the "Company Name" and link to a survey (child form). When the child form opens I get the "Company Name" from the parent using the "Get Customer Paramater" and this is working okay.<br /> When the child form survey is completed I have a "Submit" button and a "Submit and Open a New Form" button" (for the same company). I am unable to get the "Company Name" data from the parent form for these new forms.<br /> This may have been answered in one of the other topics, but I don't fully understand the solution. Incidently my "Get Custom Paramater" call is when the form opens. </p> http://www.perfectforms.com/forums/topic/passing-values-between-two-forms#post-1073 Fri, 15 Jan 2010 16:06:59 +0000 ijobling 1073@http://www.perfectforms.com/forums/ <p>check the interactive example form (download it as well so you can see how all the different ways of doing things like this are covered)<br /> <a href="http://www.perfectforms.com/Documentation/manual/html/fl_parent_and_child_forms_example_2.htm" rel="nofollow">http://www.perfectforms.com/Documentation/manual/html/fl_parent_and_child_forms_example_2.htm</a></p> <p>and also the user guide:<br /> <a href="http://www.perfectforms.com/Documentation/manual/html/parent_child_forms.htm" rel="nofollow">http://www.perfectforms.com/Documentation/manual/html/parent_child_forms.htm</a><br /> where even more methods are covered </p> http://www.perfectforms.com/forums/topic/passing-values-between-two-forms#post-1072 Fri, 15 Jan 2010 15:57:15 +0000 simond 1072@http://www.perfectforms.com/forums/ <p>I have a simple form which allows you to add an email address and a name. Work flow closes the instance.</p> <p>I have a second form where I would like to enter an email address and then retrieve data from the 1st form where the email is = to that entered in the 2nd form. I've tried different methods which all fail.</p> <p>help please </p> http://www.perfectforms.com/forums/topic/writing-back-to-parent-form#post-1049 Wed, 06 Jan 2010 10:40:11 +0000 ijobling 1049@http://www.perfectforms.com/forums/ <p>The Instance number is only created as the form is first submitted which is why you are seeing it as 0.<br /> But look at the properties of the Submit data script event so on the 'child form' you may be able to run a submit AND re-open same instance (maybe you can do this on the 'when form is opened' within a condition so it only does this the first time the child form is opened for a 'dummy' first stage you can set up) and so before the user actually gets to use the form it has already been submitted and then an instance number has also been created so you can use it </p> http://www.perfectforms.com/forums/topic/writing-back-to-parent-form#post-1048 Wed, 06 Jan 2010 10:21:22 +0000 mcroft66 1048@http://www.perfectforms.com/forums/ <p>I have an Equipment Request form that allows you to raise a Purchase Request form if the equipment is unavailable from stock. </p> <p>The Child Purchase Request form is opened via a child form button in a table in the Equipement Request form. It is in a table as each Equipment Request form could possibly have many pieces of equipment requested and therefore many PRs associated with it.</p> <p>I want to be able to write the Form ID Number, not instance ID, back into this table once the form PR form has been submitted to allow us a view of which piece of equipment has which PR. Problem I'm having is that the form ID is 0 at the stage I'm trying to retrieve it.</p> <p>Does anyone have an idea if this can be done?</p> <p>Thanks,</p> <p>Michael. </p> http://www.perfectforms.com/forums/topic/veiw-all-orders#post-884 Tue, 27 Oct 2009 12:42:49 +0000 ajobling 884@http://www.perfectforms.com/forums/ <p>To get multiple instances of surveys into a single form you will need to use a Table Object on the main form; each row will hold information for a single instance of your survey.<br /> When setting the properties for the Connect command make sure that you are using the 'All Rows' option in the target field.<br /> Does this help? </p> http://www.perfectforms.com/forums/topic/update-child-without-opening#post-526 Thu, 18 Jun 2009 09:04:01 +0000 ijobling 526@http://www.perfectforms.com/forums/ <p>As you have seen there are many ways you could look at this. The idea of presenting the child information into the table is one way to look at this, but in terms of users adding information into the table to then initiate a 'new' child form, I think that is very limited and will restrict you further down the line. Certainly it will make what could be a very simple process a lot more complicated if you need to be looking at using the API as well.</p> <p>If your underlying concept is for the 'parent' form to be the 'summary' if you like of all previous requests and then from there you users can then raise more requests for time off, you could also look to use a REPORT instead of the parent to present previous information and where they can then initiate a new 'child' form if required. There wouldn't then need to be any parent/child... just the main form the users complete to book time off</p> <p>But taking this either as a FORM instead of a report, I would perhaps consider the parent form as the 'summary' where there is a form connection that returns to the table all the details from the child for that user (as the form is opened, and you can have a 'refresh' button that uses the 'submit and reopen instance') using form connections as opposed to the get/set field can give you more functionality (have a look at how the 'connect' and even 'connect and search' behaviour works especially perhaps in terms of how the 'send parameters' can be used to filter your connection information.</p> <p>But then you can have form scripting/behaviours that can work on that table data to present to the user information relevant to your goal (ie time left you can take off etc) and within that could be showing/hiding the ability for them to initiate a new child (ie book more time off).</p> <p>Then they can initiate a new child form which is the actual 'time off request' form, completing all the required information and submit it, and that then follows its own routing path. You could then use the parent/child (or form connection) methods to prepopulate the child form with the users information from the parent so the user doesn't have to re enter lots of information manually, so in practical terms would then just be entering information for that specific request</p> <p>Separate reports can then be set up on the child forms to present other information not only to the user, but also to management as well as they may require different information (ie more of a 'summary of all my staff')</p> <p>and I would see that being a much simpler process to get what you are looking for here. </p> http://www.perfectforms.com/forums/topic/update-child-without-opening#post-524 Wed, 17 Jun 2009 20:56:20 +0000 MABrown 524@http://www.perfectforms.com/forums/ <p>I am trying to create a form that keeps track of time-off requests and approvals. The original idea is to have a single form where each request is handled as a line in a table, and that has worked well but I have encountered some limitations. </p> <p>Specifically, the system needs to allow users to have multiple requests, but the amount of time requested impacts the amount of time one can use in later requests. It is a reasonable assumption that users will be requesting time in both long-term and short-term time-frames.</p> <p>As a practical example: I request a week off in September, at which time I will have earned at least 40-hours of time off. Then, after the September request is approved, I need to request two-days off in August, but by taking those two days I will no longer have enough hours for the requested time in September. The ideal goal is to create a system that will warn a user if a new request in the short-term impacts the predicted balance for the future request. </p> <p>All of this spanning multiple form instances. The idea was, instead of tracking requests in tables in form instances, each request would be a form instance that is then referenced by the "Parent Form" and displayed in a table (thus looking and acting the same for the end user). </p> <p>If each request is an individual form, the system can then use a workflow to track the state of each instance, notifications, approvals, changes, etc. </p> <p>Also, I see this as an exercise in understanding the system. </p> http://www.perfectforms.com/forums/topic/update-child-without-opening#post-512 Mon, 15 Jun 2009 08:55:41 +0000 ijobling 512@http://www.perfectforms.com/forums/ <p>It sounds like you need to be looking at the API for these to programatically handle such events without them being opened.</p> <p>have to ask though, what is the reasoning behind having a seperate form that you want to update silently but still then want to invoke routing ? if an action on your 'parent' form is to trigger an action to involve someone else, then why not run it all from this form? I'm sure there may be valid reasons for you wanting to do this, but it could also be that there is a different way to approach the overall process and there may be a lot simpler way to achieve what you are after here. perhaps contact us via the support ticket and we can open a conversation to try to help you find a more effective way of acheiving your aims</p> <p>as to the options in the form field, these are 'variables' and as such have no bearing on how you need to define the form field to need to define. Technically they could be removed from this area but as they are 'shared' with other application functions it helps the overall product where a seperate control just for Set/Get Field instance isn't then needed </p> http://www.perfectforms.com/forums/topic/update-child-without-opening#post-504 Sat, 13 Jun 2009 01:20:42 +0000 MABrown 504@http://www.perfectforms.com/forums/ <p>I can now update an instance without having to open it, but is there a way to Submit an instance without opening it? Or is it possible to set the Instance Name and move the instance through its workflow without opening it?</p> <p>Also, are the options under the "Form Field" drop down of the "Set Field in Other Instance" behavior documented somewhere? There are options such as linkID, lastDate, and InstanceGUID which are not documented in the User Guide, and are not present in other parts of perfectforms. </p> http://www.perfectforms.com/forums/topic/update-child-without-opening#post-482 Mon, 08 Jun 2009 09:04:53 +0000 ijobling 482@http://www.perfectforms.com/forums/ <p>all a 'parent/child' is really is how the 2 forms are 'linked' behind the scenes. Doing this by physically storing the relevant form instance ID's so each form knows about the other one is the same </p> http://www.perfectforms.com/forums/topic/update-child-without-opening#post-479 Fri, 05 Jun 2009 19:56:37 +0000 MABrown 479@http://www.perfectforms.com/forums/ <p>Just to make sure I understand, what you are suggesting is not a genuine child-parent relationship, where the child and parent IDs are stored as meta-data, but a sort of artificial relationship where the relationship IDs are stored in fields; is that correct? Is there any disadvantage to this method as opposed to the standard child-parent relationship? </p>