Efficiency and accuracy are essential in mobile data collection. iFormBuilder’s smart controls, powered by JavaScript statements, help achieve this by automating calculations, dynamically adjusting to user input, and enforcing data integrity. This creates a more seamless and intuitive data collection experience.
Let’s explore how smart controls work together with iFormBuilder to create smarter, more efficient workflows.
Dynamic Values: Intelligent Defaults and Calculated Inputs
Dynamic Values bring automation and intelligence to your forms by:
- Setting Default Values: Pre-fill form fields with expected or frequently used values to save time.
- Basing Values on Other Elements: Automatically calculate or derive an element’s value from another field, reducing errors and manual input.
For example, a mileage reimbursement form can auto-calculate the total cost based on a user’s input for miles driven and a predefined rate per mile.
Condition Values: Adaptive and Responsive Forms
Condition Values allow forms to dynamically adjust based on user input, enabling:
- Hidden Fields: Keep unnecessary fields out of sight until they’re needed, reducing clutter and preventing accidental changes.
- Adaptive Routing: Automatically display or hide sections of a form based on responses, ensuring users only see what’s relevant to them.
For instance, in a safety inspection form, if a user reports an equipment failure, additional fields can instantly appear to capture further details, while staying hidden for users who report no issues.
Dynamic Labels: Personalized Form Experiences
Dynamic Labels make forms more intuitive by:
- Customizing Labels Based on Responses: Tailor labels to reflect user inputs, creating a more personalized experience.
- Displaying Previous Answers in Labels: Reference responses from earlier fields to reinforce clarity and guide the user.
Imagine a feedback form that asks for a customer’s name in one field and then dynamically updates the next label to say, “Thank you, [Customer Name], for your feedback!” This small touch makes the experience more engaging.
Client Validation: Enforcing Data Integrity in Real Time
To ensure high-quality data collection, Client Validation helps:
- Prevent Invalid Inputs: Instantly reject improper data, such as incorrect formats, missing fields, or out-of-range values.
- Enforce Multiple Validation Criteria: Set rules for specific inputs, ensuring only acceptable data is submitted.
For example, if a form requires a date of birth, validation can prevent users from entering a future date or an age outside the expected range.
Validation Messages: Clear and Actionable Guidance
Validation Messages go hand-in-hand with Client Validation by:
- Providing Instant Feedback: Alert users when they’ve entered incorrect data and explain how to fix it.
- Enforcing Complex Criteria: Help users comply with strict data entry requirements through clear instructions.
For example, if a form requires an alphanumeric password, a validation message can guide the user with: “Your password must include at least one letter and one number.”
Harnessing Smart Controls for Smarter Forms
By integrating these smart controls into your iFormBuilder forms, you can turn static forms into dynamic, responsive tools that empower data collectors and enhance overall productivity.
These items are just a preview of what smart controls have to offer iFormBuilder users. Need help getting started? We’d love to chat. Send us an email at sales (@) zerionsoftware.com
