HOW TO GIVE INFOPATH EVERLASTING BEAUTY

Tosha Mehta | Project Delivery Manager

SoHo Dragon | www.sohodragon.nyc | td@sohodragon.com

AGENDA Introductions InfoPath introduction Why InfoPath has run out of gas How to make InfoPath mobile friendly Advantages and shortcomings SharePoint 2016 - InfoPath and SPD Why forms fail Tips to make the user form experience sparkle Which 3rd party tools work put rocket fuel the InfoPath deployment How it is contemplated to be replaced by power apps in 2016

REMINDER- THIS SLIDEDECK IS ON

@Sohodragon

WHO AM I - @ TOSHA MEHTA

{ background : “Ahmedabad, Sunnyvale, CA", employee : “SoHo Dragon", skill : “InfoPath queen", hobbies : “Bollywood movies",}

WHAT ABOUT YOU?Who’s never used InfoPath?Who’s a rockstar at it?

INTRODUCTION TO INFOPATH Forms engine for SharePoint Designing forms and rules Data connection types Usage with SharePoint- Infopath Forms Services Types of infopath forms in SharePoint Types of deployment

WHY INFOPATH HAS RUN OUT OF GAS

Can’t add Javascript, HTML to the form Chatty Good luck with a neat look, clean design, attractive controls and added features using JQuery and other libraries

Certain controls just don’t work

HOW TO MAKE INFOPATH MOBILE FRIENDLYWhy is this a challenge?

Using Infopath Form Web part and Query String(URL) Filter web part

DEMO VIEW DEMOPoints to Note:- Usage of Query filter web part

- Usage of infopath parameters

- View redirection based on parameters

Advantages

Connects to multiple data sources

Close integration with SharePoint

Browser based and client forms supported

Repeating structures, custom validation, conditional formatting and branding supported without any code

Multiple views for a single form Easy to add third party tools

Short comings

Can’t connect to process driven applications directly, except SharePoint

Office or Enterprise license needed

AJAX and Custom controls not supported

Security Not very compatible with

mobile devices

FUTURE OF INFOPATH AND SHAREPOINT DESIGNER IN SHAREPOINT 2016 No new versions for InfoPath and SharePoint designer in SharePoint 2016

Infopath Forms services and Infopath designer 2013 still supported for SharePoint server 2016 and Office 365.

SharePoint designer 2013 can be used for SharePoint 2016 Third party alternatives are K2, Nintex and Agilepoint

ALTERNATIVESAgilepoint nx Nintex K2Provides no code customizable solutions for business processesCustom Javascript and CSS supported on E-formsMultiple data source supportVarious types of controls supportedMultiple authentication providers supportedEasy integration into multiple platforms such as SharePoint and Salesforce with the help of a dashboard

Very SharePoint Similar to AgilePoint

QRULES- NO CODING POWER

Also known as the Red Bull drink for InfoPath Enabling the shortcomings of infopath forms WITHOUT having to write custom

code Provides various commands for multiple functions such as:

Uploading attachments to libraries in SharePoint Copy values from one table to another Get validation error counts on infopath forms Dynamically insert values/rows to repeating structures Encrypt data on the form Can also use:Qrules commands GetEnvironment and SetDefaultView for mobile viewing

QRULES

The form is too confusing- remember end users are not technologically sound People don’t change their ways- Still use old processes Someone doesn’t take ownership of the process and there isn’t agreement People are using it for the wrong ways. Not a shopping cart experience There’s a BIG bang approach

WHY FORMS FAIL

GOLDEN RULES- END USERS They are not technologically sound If it can be broken it will happen They are very vocal The process must add value to their day They must be guided Average user attention span on a form is

10 seconds

DO NOT TRY AND BOIL THE OCEAN

Make fields automated if possible I only see information to me Email updates of the process See who is handling this request Bold fonts and contrasting colors Screen tips and validation messages

Make them feel very special

GOLDEN RULES- MAKE IT PERSONNEL

DEMO OF A GREAT COMPLEX INFOPATH FORM Points to Note:

The side menus.. Easy to navigate Pre form screens Navigation at the top A guided process Pre filled out information Attachment icons

View Demo

POWER APPS What is PowerApps? Not entirely a replacement of infopath. Can build form like applications to connect to SharePoint online as well as 3rd party platforms

Overcomes infopath limitations May be used creating an application where infopath may have been used before

Powerapps Demo

QUESTIONS? SoHo Dragon | www.sohodragon.nyc | td@sohodragon.com

THANK YOU

SoHo Dragon | www.sohodragon.nyc | td@sohodragon.com