Overview

The nFORM system supports the ability to design custom forms for submission by the regulated community. These forms are highly configurable and the system provides much flexibility for form designers. 

Effectively representing an agency’s forms electronically will often result in a much different presentation than on paper. There are many different approaches and techniques for implementing form elements in nFORM. Designing these forms can sometimes be an artistic expression, requiring implementation, trial, feedback, and refinement based on real-world use.

As with any system, the more flexible the capabilities of a system, the more sophisticated the system will be to support the dynamic nature of the system. With this in mind, Windsor established this Advanced Form Design Guide to provide information and guidance on the more advanced design topics and advanced form elements. 

Form Level Design

Document Generation

nFORM supports the ability to define a Document Template for staff to generate documents in support of form processing. A template can be designed for the system as a whole as well as for specific forms. The content in the template can be static or dynamically driven based on the data provided in the submission. This capability allows agencies and form designers to provide a highly formatted document generation capability to their staff.

This functionality is sometimes referred to as “Instant Permit” because the main use for this new capability will be to generate a permit, based on information provided in the application after an application has been approved. However, this feature can be used for other official documents such as certificates, licenses, ID cards, etc.

For additional details on this document generation feature as well as the details of how to configure and implement the feature, please reference the Document Generation Design Guide document.

Payment Voucher

The nFORM system supports the ability to define custom Payment Vouchers for submitters to download in support of the payment remittance process. 

A Payment Voucher can be designed for the system as a whole as well as for specific forms. The content in the Payment Voucher can be static or dynamically driven based on the data provided in the submission. This capability allows agencies and form designers to provide a highly formatted payment voucher to online submitters.

For additional details on this payment voucher customization feature as well as the details of how to configure and implement the feature, please reference the Payment Voucher Design Guide document.

Hardcopy Signature Form

The nFORM system supports the ability to define custom Hard Copy Signature Forms for submitters to download in support of the form submission signature process. 

A Hard Copy Signature Form can be designed for the system as a whole as well as for specific forms. The content in the Hard Copy Signature Form can be static or dynamically driven based on data provided in the submission. This capability allows agencies and form designers to provide a highly formatted Hard Copy Signature Form to online submitters.

Electronic Signature Authorization Form

The nFORM system supports the ability to define custom Electronic Signature Authorization Forms for submitters to download in support of the electronic signature authorization process. 

An Electronic Signature Authorization Form can be designed for the system as a whole. The content in the Electronic Signature Authorization Form can be static or dynamically driven based on data in the user’s account profile. This capability allows agencies to provide a highly formatted Electronic Signature Authorization Form to online users to authorize online signing.

Email Output

The nFORM system supports the ability to define custom content to be delivered via automated emails sent from the nFORM system.

Individual emails can be customized to include custom content. The content in the emails can be static or dynamically driven based on data provided in the submission. This capability allows agencies to provide highly formatted and targeted emails to online submitters.

For additional details on this email output customization feature as well as the details of how to configure the emails, please reference the Email Template Design Guide document.

Alternative Identifier

The nFORM system supports the ability to define an alternative identifier for a form submission (e.g., Permit ID, Application ID, etc.). Alternate Identifier allows the form designer to collect data from the submitter, which will then be displayed on the Processing Dashboard, and submission headers as a way to associate a meaningful name that the application can remember and search on.

Use the following steps to configure an alternative identifier:

• Click on the Forms link at the top of the page to open the Forms Manager.

• Click on the Edit icon for the form in question to open the Forms Designer.

• Ensure the current version of the form is in a Draft status to ensure the form configuration can be edited.

• Click on the Form Details tab.

• Scroll to the Alternative Identifier section of the form.
  
  

  Open

  

• Check the Activate Display of Alternative Submission Identifier checkbox to enable this feature and display additional relevant settings.
  
  

  Open

  

• Display Label: By default, “Alternative Identifier” is displayed as the label for references to this value. When utilized, the default label (i.e. "Alternative Identifier") will be changed to another value (e.g., Permit Number, Document Number, etc.).

  • To override this display label to a custom value, check the Override Display Label checkbox. This will enable the Custom Display Label field for entry. 

  • Enter the desired display label value in the Custom Display Label field. 
    
    

• Alternative ID Control: The Alternative ID Control field is used to specify the control that will be used to house and manage the alternative identifier. From this field, select the Tag value for the control that is considered the Alternative ID Control on the form.
  Note: Only the following controls, when assigned a Tag value, can be referenced as an Alternative Identifier: short text, calculated, single select, phone, email, date, time, number and URL controls.

Form Revision Notes

Form revision notes can be added to a form via the From Revision Notes section in the form design overview tab. Revision notes are helpful when form designers want to communicate the changes that they have made on specific versions. 

To add a note simply click on the add note… button. This will give you a prompt to enter the pertinent data. Once a revision note has been created you can edit or delete your note. The revision notes automatically indicate what version they were added to in the list of revision notes.

Fee Configuration

Fees can be assessed by a submitter at the time of form submission. These fees can be a standard flat fee or a calculated value based on information provided within the submission. These fee calculations can be built directly in the Fee tab of the Form Builder in the Formula field. In addition, the form designer can mark forms to have no fees using the no-fee selection.

Calculated fees allow form designers to define Minimum and Maximum threshold values that will be used if the calculation formula yields a value above or below the defined threshold(s). These threshold values are not required.

The following sections describe the different types of calculation formulas that can be utilized from within the Formula field of the fee configuration settings. The fee formulas utilize the C# arithmetic functions. More complex calculations may be handled on a case-by-case basis and may require assistance.

Fee Types

A form designer will be presented with choosing the type of fee at the top of the Fees tab in the form designer. Form designers can configure this fee to be online, offline, both, or no fee. Online payments need an account number and payment address to continue. If the form designer doesn’t want a fee tied to the form they can simply choose the No Fee option.

Simple Arithmetic Formula

Numeric controls can be used in the most simple form fee calculations, and simple arithmetic is sufficient in most cases.

An example of a basic arithmetic calculation would be a simple per-unit calculation. If there is a control on the form for the total number of gallons in a tank and we want to base the calculated fee off that total volume multiplied by $0.06, this can be written as:

where the Tag for the control that the user reports the total volume in gallons of their tank is Gallons.

Considerations:

• When referencing a control in the form, the control Tag must be enclosed in backticks (`). A backtick (`) is a different character from a single quote (‘). 

• When referencing a choice within a single or multiple selection control list, a .description is required after the closing backtick of the tag. See the scenarios below for examples.

• The available mathematical operators include, but are not limited to + (add), - (subtract), / (divide), and * (multiply). Parentheses can also be used where appropriate.

• An M character needs to be appended to the end of constant numbers used in arithmetic formulas to ensure the system casts the number as the correct data type.

Aggregate Functions

Aggregate functions can be used to calculate aggregations for values in repeatable (tabbed) sections. These functions are appended to the end of the tag name on which the calculation is to be done.

For example, if we are trying to add together numeric values provided from a control in a repeatable form section, such as all the capacities of all the tanks in a repeating tank section we can write the calculation as:

where the Tag for the tank capacity volume control is Tank_Capacity.

These aggregate functions can also utilize conditional logic for the aggregate function. This is written by establishing a variable and then comparing the variable to a value.  

For example, if we are trying to count the number of all the tanks with capacities greater than 1000 we can write the calculation as:

where the Tag for the tank capacity volume control is Tank_Capacity and c is the variable name chosen to represent capacity. This will count the number of times the `Tank_Capacity` field has a value greater than 1000.

Considerations:

• The variable name is irrelevant to the function as long as it is consistent across the function, however, data type names (e.g., date, string, integer, etc.) should be avoided to ensure the system knows how to handle the variable.

• The application utilizes Enumerable methods for these aggregate functions and a more comprehensive list of applicable operators can be found on the Microsoft website. Methods that have been used in nFORM calculated fee formulas in the past include.Count(), .Max(), .Min(), .Sum(), and .Where()

Conditional If/Then Logic

Conditional operators can be used to support If/Then type logic for conditional logic in complex fee calculations.

The conditional operator ? returns one of two values depending on the value of a Boolean conditional statement. The syntax for using this conditional logic is [condition] ? [first_expression] : [second_expression] with the question mark following the condition and the colon separating the two different expressions. The first expression is evaluated if the condition is True, and the second is evaluated if the condition is False. 

For example, if there is a calculated fee requirement that the fee be $0 if the submitter has a fee status of Exempt, but $125 if the fee status is anything else, this can be written as:

where the Tag for the fee status control is Fee_Status.

Considerations:

• Constant string values should be enclosed in quotation marks to ensure the system casts the value as the string data type.

• Other Boolean operators can also be used in place of the == (equal to) operator, such as != (not equal), < (less than), > (greater than), <= (less than or equal to), >= (greater than or equal to), etc.

While this list of complex calculation types is not extensive, it covers those types of calculations which have been built in nFORM in the past and allows for a wide variety of complex fee calculations to be created that suit most form requirements.

Internal Data Controls

Forms can be configured with internal-only data controls to allow additional internal-only data points to be added to a form to support the submission process. These attributes are accessible, viewable, and editable by internal users of the system only. The attributes are initially configured for a form during form design and are available for data entry during the submission processing phase. Additional attributes can also be added during submission processing if needed.

This section of the document will describe how to configure the default Internal Data Controls for a form, how to add/adjust Internal Data Controls for a submission, and how to use Internal Data Controls on a submission.

Configure Default Internal Data Controls for a Form 

This section of the document describes the setup/configuration of the default set of internal data controls (for collecting additional information, by internal staff) for the form.

To configure the default Internal Data Controls for a form, follow these steps:

• Click on the Forms link at the top of the page to open the Forms Manager.

• Click on the Edit icon for the form in question to open the Forms Designer.

• Ensure the current version of the form is in a Draft status to ensure the form configuration can be edited.

• Navigate to the Internal Data tab in the Form Details step of the Form Designer.

• Click the Edit Internal Controls button to open the list of internal data controls that have been configured.
  
  

• Click the Add Control link to add a new internal data control. To edit an existing internal data control, click the Edit button to the right of the control in question.

• Add/Edit Internal Data Controls – When adding/editing an Internal Control, the following attributes are available:
   

  • A Label will describe the internal control. This will be the value that is presented to a user when working with internal controls.

  • The Type specifies the type of internal control. Internal Controls can be of the following Types:

    • Checkbox

    • Date

    • Dropdown

    • Paragraph

    • Text

    • Time

  • The Show After value is used to specify a custom sort order for the list of values.

  • The Tag value is a unique name assigned to an internal control to allow the control to be identified. This attribute is essential for facilitating the data importing and exporting processes.

  • The Read-Only attribute is used to make an internal data control read-only and locked. This is useful when populating the internal data control value based on a value entered on the submission.

  • If Required is checked, this attribute must be provided before "finalizing" (moving the submission to a "final" status) a submission.

  • The Automated assigning of value(s) is used to configure the population of the internal data control during the submission process based on a value from the submission or a default value. The following options are available.

    • None disables the population of data during the submission process.

    • The Populate with submission data is used to configure the population of the internal data control based on a value from the submission. If checked, the Source Section, Source Control, and Update linked data on submission revision? fields will be displayed. These values will be used to link the internal data control to a field within the submission.
       

      • The Source Section field is used to select and identify the section that houses the field that will be copied to the internal data control field.

      • The Source Control field is used to select and identify the control (within the selected Source Section) which represents the field that will be copied to the internal data control field.

      • Check the Update linked data on the submission revision field to configure the internal data control to be updated to the latest value following each submission. If this value should remain untouched following the initial submission (and any changes by internal staff), leave this attribute unchecked.

    • The Set default value is used to configure the population of an internal data control during the submission process based on the value entered in the Default DROPDOWN value, Default PARAGRAPH value, or Default TEXT value, respectively. Note: This option is only available for the Dropdown, Paragraph, and Text types.

• The Usage section allows an internal data control to be marked for intent.  The current options for this feature are File Transfer and payment processing. Both options allow the user to configure internal data controls with a third-party integration. An override tag can be used if the integration will look for a specific tag when retrieving the control value.

• Click the Save button to save internal data control.

• Repeat the above steps for each desired Internal Data Control.

Connecting Internal Data Controls to Form Processing Steps 

First, ensure your internal data controls have been properly added to your form according to the directions above.

1. Proceed to step 3 of the form design process.

2. Navigate to the step you want to add internal data validation to (or create a new step) and click on the wrench icon.

3. This will open a dialog representing the step actions.

4. Click the Add new step action... - this will allow you to add a new step action to your processing step.

5. Under 'Action to perform' select Validate internal data and choose which internal controls you want required.

Populate Internal Data Controls for a Submission 

This section of the document describes how Internal Data Controls can be populated for a submission.

To populate the Internal Data Controls for a specific submission, follow these steps:

• Open the Submission View page for the submission in question from the Processing Dashboard.
   

• Hover over the Internal Data attribute and click on the field. The attribute will now be editable.
  
  

• Enter the appropriate values in this field.

• Click out of the field to save the entered values.

Monitoring Internal Data Control and Event Status’

After a form is submitted there is usually a large amount of activity regarding workflow events and internal data controls. Utilizing the event log is an efficient way to monitor your form for any workflow event-related actions. Once on the submission overview, a summary of the event log can be found on the right column of the overview page. Action, user, date, and time are all details available in this section.

Providing a Direct Link to a Form from Another Website

Hyperlinks can be provided to open a form in nFORM. How the links are structured will determine how the user is brought to a form. 

Form Landing Page

The most basic link will bring the user to the form landing page, where they can read form instructions and initiate form entry. In this case, we only need to send the Form Tag, which is located in the Form Designer.

Structure:

Example:

Skip Form Landing Page

If we want to bring the user to the first section of the form, bypassing the form landing page, then we use the skipLandingPage parameter.

Structure:

Example:

Prepopulation Links

For existing permits and reports, where the permit number is required to begin form entry and where we may have pre-population, we will want to pass in the permit number/registration number as the prepopulateContext. Combining this with the skipLandingPage parameter will bring the user directly to the first section of the form with their form prepopulated using the permit number passed in.  

Structure:

Example:

Data Inheritance Links

For forms that allow the user to enter a previous submission number to populate data from that submission, the submission number can be added by using the subnum: construct:

Structure:

Example:

Note: Forms must be published, and externally available (i.e., the Form for Internal Use Only attribute is unchecked) and a Form Tag value must be assigned to enable this feature to work.

Configuring Submission Exit Behavior

After a form has been submitted, the user is presented with a "Return to..." button. This button can be configured to take the user back to an unsecured page (outside of the system). Typically, the page that hosted the link originally directed them to the anonymous form. Configure the return URL setting in the varEnvironmentOverrides.config files app.submission.confirmation.buttonUrl setting.

Data Integration

The nFORM system supports the ability to import (e.g., Auto-Fill and Pre-Fill), export, and/or change data in the system based on external sources/destinations. See the Data Integration section of the nFORM Data Integration Guide for additional details on these features.

Submission Data Upload

The nFORM system supports the ability to upload/pre-populate data from a form-compliant XML document. See the XML Upload Guide for additional details on this feature.

Staff Assignments

nFORM provides Form Designers with the ability to establish staff processing assignments based on the designation of roles, workgroups, and workgroup route maps. These processing assignments are used to assign individuals to Submissions and Submission Processing Steps, either automatically based on a value in a submission or based on explicit assignment by a Submission Processor. 

Roles define the staffing functions (e.g., Administrative Staff, Engineer, or Supervisor) that individuals assume in performing their work within the organization.

Workgroups define each group within the organization that assembles to perform submission processing (e.g., region, office, or team).

Workgroup Route Maps define each association (or mapping) used to assign workgroups based on a value in a submission (e.g., Region by County, Team by Permit Type, etc.).

The base Roles, Workgroups, and Workgroup Route Maps must be first configured for the organization. To configure the Organization, perform the following:

• Select the Parent Organization.

• If not in Draft mode, enable Draft mode for the Organization.

• Navigate to the Staff Assignments tab.
  
  

Role Management

To add a new Role:

• Select the Edit button next to Roles on the Staff Assignments tab of the Organization Designer.

• If the screen is not in an add state, select the Add New Role button. A dialog will be presented where the Name attribute can be entered to define the name of the role.

• Enter the Name attribute to define the name of the Role.

• Once the Role is defined, select the Add Row button in the Role area to assign an individual staff member to the Role for each defined Workgroup. For each mapping, select a When Workgroup matches... value to represent the relevant Workgroup and select a User to represent the User that will be assigned to the current Role when a Submission's Workgroup is assigned to the selected ‘When Workgroup matches...’ value. Repeat this step for each user workgroup assignment for the Role.

To edit a Role:

• Select the Edit button next to Roles on the Staff Assignments tab of the Organization Designer.

  • Select the Role to edit by clicking on the Role row.

  • Adjust the Role settings as needed.

Workgroup and Role Assignments

To add a new Workgroup:

• Select the Edit button next to Workgroups on the Staff Assignments tab of the Organization Designer.

• If the screen is not in an add state, select the Add New Workgroup button. A dialog will be presented where the Name attribute can be entered to define the name of the Workgroup. Enter the Name attribute to define the name of the Workgroup.

• Once the Workgroup is defined, select the Add Row button in the Workgroup area to assign an individual staff member to each defined Role. For each mapping, select a Role value to represent the relevant Role and select a User to represent the user that will be assigned to the current Workgroup when a Submission's Workgroup is assigned to the current Workgroup value.
  
  

• Repeat these steps for each user role assignment for the workgroup.

To edit a Workgroup:

• Select the Edit button next to Workgroup on the Staff Assignments tab of the Organization Designer.

• Select the Workgroup to edit by clicking on the Workgroup row.

• Adjust the Workgroup settings as needed.

Workgroup Route Maps

To add a new Workgroup Route Map:

• Select the Edit button next to Workgroup Route Maps on the Staff Assignments tab of the Organization Designer.
   

• If the screen is not in an add state, select the Add New Workgroup Route Map button. A dialog will be presented where the Name attribute can be entered to define the name of the Workgroup Route Map.

• Click on the new Workgroup Route Map.

• Select the Add Row button.

• Enter the When input matches… value which represents the value entered/selected on a submission that will be used to match to/assign a Workgroup.

• Select the Assign Workgroup value which represents the Workgroup that will be assigned to a submission when the Submission includes the When input matches… value.

• Repeat these three steps for each Workgroup Assignment for the Workgroup Route Map.

• Repeat all these steps for each Workgroup Route Map.

To edit a Workgroup Route Map:

• Select the Edit button next to Workgroup Route Maps on the Staff Assignments tab of the Organization Designer.
  
  

  • Select the Workgroup Route Map to edit by clicking upon the Workgroup Route Map row.

  • Adjust the Workgroup Route Map settings as desired. 

Once the Organization’s base Roles, Workgroups, and Workgroup Route Maps are defined, the Form can be configured to utilize the Organization settings for@ staff members.

To manage staff assignments for a form:

• Navigate to Step 3 (Processing Steps) of the Form Designer for a form.

• Click Edit staff assignments in the top right hand of Step 3 of the Form Designer wizard. The Edit Staff Assignment dialog box will be displayed. 

• Select the Assignments link in the top left, if not selected.
  
  

Assign Roles/Persons:

Option 1: Assign Individually:

• Select the Role or specific Person that will be assigned by default, if appropriate, as the Responsible Person for new submissions.

• For each step, select the Role or specific Person that will be assigned by default, if appropriate, as the Step assignment for new submissions.
  
  

Option 2: Bulk Assignments:

• Select the Assign Multiple button.

  • Select the Responsible Person and Steps to reassign.
    
    

  • Select the Assign Selected button to open the Bulk Assign dialog.

  • Select the specific Role or Person for which the selected steps will be assigned by default.

Option 3: Assignment from Processing Step Editor:

• See the Configure Processing Steps section

Assign Workgroup Route Map:

• Select the Workgroup Routing link in the top left, if not selected.
  
  

  • Select the relevant Workgroup Route Map to be used to route submissions to a specific Workgroup.

  • Select the Field (Input Data for Workgroup Route Map) that will map to the Workgroup Route Map. Once selected, a secondary selection may be presented (e.g., if the selected field is an address, etc.). Select the secondary selection, if presented.
    
    

Section and Control Design

Display a Dynamically Assigned Name to a Section Repeater

The system supports the ability for a section to be repeated. For example, the form may have a section describing the numerous Tanks in a process. The system supports the ability for the same set of questions to each answered for each tank, and for the details of these tanks to be contained in the same section. 

In addition, the system supports the ability to display a dynamically assigned name to each repeating item in a section based on the content held in the section repeater. For example, using the Tanks example previously used, each tank may have a Tank Name and the item in the repeater can display the Tank Name in the title.

To assign a dynamically assigned name to a repeating section, perform the following:

• Click on the Forms link at the top of the page to open the Forms Manager.

• Click on the Edit icon for the form in question to open the Forms Designer.

• Ensure the current version of the form is in a Draft status to ensure the form configuration can be edited.

• Navigate to the Sections and Controls (Step 2) section of the Form Designer.

• Click on the Edit icon for the section in question.

• From the Section dialog, click the Enable Repeater for this Section checkbox to enable the repeater configuration settings.
  
  

• Click the Dynamically Name Repeater Items checkbox to enable the dynamic name configuration settings.
  
  

• Enter the formula for deriving the repeating section name in the Repeater-Item Name Formula field. This formula field allows for specifying the text to display for each item in the list. For example: 

• A great deal of flexibility has been provided with this formula which supports very simple and very complex derivations. See the Formula Builder Examples section of this document for details on the format of formulas used in this area.

Sort Section Repeaters Based on Configured Criteria

The system also allows the form designer to configure the sorting of repeating sections based on selected controls or control attributes. For example, the form may have many projects listed, each with its own dynamic title. The sorting feature, if configured, will properly sort these projects based on the title or any control within those repeaters. 

To configure repeating sections on a form to sort based on specified criteria perform the following: 

• Click on the Forms link at the top of the page to open the Forms Manager.

• Click on the Edit icon for the form in question to open the Forms Designer.

• Ensure the current version of the form is in a Draft status to ensure the form configuration can be edited.

• Navigate to the Sections and Controls (Step 2) section of the Form Designer.

• Click on the Edit icon for the section in question.

• From the Section dialog, click the Enable Repeater for this Section checkbox and the Sort checkbox to enable the repeater configuration settings.
  
  

• You will then be presented with two fields to set up your sort criteria with. The control dropdown menu will already be populated with eligible control names. This will be the control that the sorting will be based on. 

• Control sorting automatically changes between alphanumeric and numeric sorting. The form designer then dictates whether the sorting is ascending or descending by utilizing the second field Asc/Desc.

Advanced Controls

Control types are classified into one of three types: Simple, Formatted, and Advanced. The advanced controls include:

• Name

• Location

• Address

• Attachment

• Table

• Advanced Table

• Datagrid

• Contact

• Hidden Text

• Calculated

• Message

These controls are specifically designed to serve key tasks with specific capabilities, configurations, and looks.

Advanced Table Control 

The Advanced Table control provides a means for presenting a data entry table to a user within a form.

The Advanced Table provides the ability to utilize many of the existing control types within a dynamic table. Form designers can configure the control type utilized in each column of a table. A user can add as many rows as needed to a table or a developer can configure a set number of rows. This flexibility allows for a wide variety of combinations and scenarios to support an agency’s needs.

Form Design

When an Advanced Table control is added to a section of a form, the Advanced Table control editor is presented. 

Below is a description of each attribute available for the Advanced Table control.

Label: The label text will display as the header of the table. 

Error/Help Tip: The text to display when the user hovers over the table or when an error is found in the table.

Hidden?: If checked, the system will hide the display of this control from the submitter.

Disable Ability to Add Rows: Selecting this option will disable the “add rows” option for the table from the form. At least one default row must be added during configuration to enable the table for use.

Disable Ability to Delete Rows: Selecting this option removes the “delete row” option from the form. This prevents a user from removing a necessary row.

Enable Unique ID: Selecting this option will prevent users from entering duplicate values within the specified column of the table or datagrid. If a duplicate value is entered, an error message will be displayed, and the form cannot be submitted until the issue is resolved.

Require at Least One Row: Selecting this option requires the user to complete at least one row of the table. This is similar to marking other controls “required” but limits that requirement to a single row of the table.

Conditionally Display Control: Advanced Tables can be conditionally displayed just like any other control. 

Conceal/Purge Value: For sensitive information, control value selection can set the conceal, conceal and purge, or none. If "None" is selected, data will display in standard ways. If "Conceal" is selected, data entered in this control will be concealed from most users. If "Conceal and Purge" is selected, data entered in this control will be concealed from most users and will be purged from the submission, once the submission is finalized. See the Conceal and Purge section of this document for additional details on this feature.

Tag: The unique name assigned to the control to allow the table control to be uniquely identified. This attribute is essential for facilitating the data importing and exporting processes. This “Tag” field assigns a Tag value to the table. Tags are assigned to the table as well as each column/control contained within the table allowing reference to the table and/or an individual column in the table. 

Columns: This area will define the columns presented in the table.

Controls are selected from the “Available Controls” box and added to the “Columns” area of the editor. Once a control is added to the columns section, the edit window for that control type appears. The control is then configured in the same way that it would be outside of an advanced table – except for some control attributes being unavailable within a table. The display order of controls within the table is determined by the sequence in which they are listed in the column section. The first control listed in the columns section will be the far left or first column. The control at the bottom of the list will be the far right or last column in the table.

Note: Not all controls are available for advanced table configuration. For example, a contact control cannot be placed within a table due to space limitations. Likewise, an advanced table cannot be placed within another advanced table.

Advanced Table Default Values

Default row(s) can be added once there is at least one control in the columns. Default rows are displayed in the “Advanced Table Default Values” section of the editor. These rows will display in the form, defaulting the column values as selected/entered.

Submission Wizard Presentation

Below is an example of how an advanced table may appear on a form. Advanced tables are highly flexible and allow for a variety of control options, the number of columns and rows, and control types. The final look of the table is dependent on the configuration selected.

DataGrid Control

The DataGrid control allows for the capture and/or display of data in a highly formatted table structure like the advanced table. However, the Datagrid control is much more powerful. Users can import hundreds of rows of data, download the control values, and more. A user can interact with the table (e.g., adding/removing rows), if appropriate, and entered data can be controlled using several control types. The DataGrid’s form-side validation allows users to see where there are errors in their dataset. A next error button allows the user to cycle through these errors, as well as a full-screen mode to view more of the table at once.

Form Design

The following properties are available for display/data entry with this control in the Form designer:

Label: The label that will be presented to the submitter for the control.

Error/Help Tip: The help tip will be presented to the submitter when hovering their mouse over the help tip icon () for the control. This attribute will also be utilized to provide additional information to the submitter when an invalid value is available for the control.

Hidden?: If checked, the system will hide the display of this control from the submitter.

Disable Ability to Add / Delete Rows: If checked, the Add Row button will be hidden from the submitter to prevent rows from being added to the table. This can help lock down the table in situations where the table's data is prepopulated or defaulted with data.

Enable Unique ID: Selecting this option will prevent users from entering duplicate values within the specified column of the table or datagrid. If a duplicate value is entered, an error message will be displayed, and the form cannot be submitted until the issue is resolved.

Require at Least One Row: If checked, the submitter will be required to provide at least one row of data in the table.

Conditionally Display Control?: If the control will be allowed to display conditionally, during the submission process, check the Conditionally Display Control checkbox.  When checked, the Display Formula text field will be enabled for configuration. See the Conditional Display section of the Advanced Form Design Guide for details on this feature.

Conceal/Purge Value: For sensitive information, control value selection can be set the conceal, conceal and purge, or none. If "None" is selected, data will display in standard ways. If "Conceal" is selected, data entered in this control will be concealed from most users. If "Conceal and Purge" is selected, data entered in this control will be concealed from most users and will be purged from the submission, once the submission is finalized. See the Conceal and Purge Data Point topic in the Advanced Form Design Guide for additional details on this feature.

Tag: The unique name assigned to the control to allow the control to be uniquely identified. This attribute is essential for facilitating the data importing and exporting processes. See the TAGging Fundamentals topic in the Integration Guide for additional details on tagging.

Columns: This area will define the columns presented in the table. To add a column, click on one of the available controls from the left column control pane. This will activate the control design dialog for the relevant control. The available controls are limited to those that are considered most appropriate for use in a table.

Datagrid Default Values

This area allows a designer to establish a default dataset in the table when desired. This can be handy if a finite set of data will be captured where the table data will be fairly static.

To add a new default row, click on the Add Default Row button. A row will be added and the values in this row can be adjusted as desired. Many rows can be added if desired.

To reorder columns, move a column up or down one position, and click on the Move Up or Move Down icons for the desired column.

Submission Wizard Presentation

Below is an example of how a DataGrid may appear on a form. The final look of the table is dependent on the configuration selected.

The following properties are available for display/data entry with this control in the Submission Wizard:

• Label: The label for the control will be displayed to the submitter. Note: this field can be omitted to suppress the table header label (i.e. if stacking tables).

• Error/Help Tip: The help tip will be presented to the submitter when hovering their mouse over the help tip icon for the control.

• Data Entry: The data entry area for the control. Note: if the Read-Only attribute is enabled, the fields will be locked and data entry will not be allowed. (read-only fields will be displayed with a lock icon in the field’s bottom corner.

• Column Label: The label for the column of data. A hamburger icon is present next to all column labels to allow the user to manipulate the column sizing.

• Column Values: The values for entry in a column. Each column’s control type and available values will be dependent upon the configuration of the table.

• Next Error: When available, clicking this button will take the user to the next column containing an error.

• Download: Allows the user to download the Datagrid and all of its values in an xlsx format. Downloading the grid also allows the user to manipulate the data and add to it in Excel if desired and then re-upload the new data to the form.

• Upload: Allows the user to upload a matching dataset to the Datagrid, overlapping all existing data in that control. For a dataset to match the column headers must match the grid control tags. Only Excel file formats are accepted.

• Add: When available, clicking the Add button will create a new row on the table consisting of the selected controls.

• Delete: This button is available when a row is selected and will delete the entire row. Users can also right-click on a row and select Remove row to delete the entire row.

• Full Screen: This allows users to view and manipulate their data in a full-screen mode. Users can do all standard grid functions except for uploading.

• Control Display: Control may not display depending on the Display Formula value configuration.

Contact Control

The Contact control allows for the capture of detailed information for a contact person, including attributes such as a name, title, company, phone number, email, address, etc.

Form Design

When a Contact control is added to a section of a form, the control editor is presented. Below is a description of each attribute available for the Contact control.

Label: The label for the control will be displayed to the submitter.

Error/Help Tip: The help tip will be presented to a submitter when hovering their mouse over the help tip icon () for the control.

Data Entry: The data entry area for the control. Note: if the Read-Only attribute is enabled, the fields will be locked and data entry will not be allowed.

Contact

Prefix: The prefix for the contact name (e.g., Dr., Ms., etc.).

First Name: The first name of the contact.

Last Name: The last name of the contact.

Title: The title of the contact.

Company Name: The company which the contact represents.

Email: The email address for the contact.

Phone: The phone number for the contact.

Ext.: The extension for the phone number for the contact.

Fax: The fax number for the contact.

Address

Address Line 1: The street address line for the address.

Address Line 2: The secondary address line for the address (e.g., BLDG #, APT #, STE #).

Location Description: A supplementary description for the address (e.g., 1/4 mile past milepost 214).

City: The city for the address.

State/Area: The state for the address.

County: The county for the address, if applicable.

Postal Code: The postal code for the address.

Country: The country for the address.

Validate Address: When clicked, the address entered will be verified against a domestic address service.

Control Display: Control may not display depending on the Display Formula value configuration.

Control Properties in Form Design

The following configuration properties are available for the control:

Header: The label that will be presented to the submitter in the header of the control.

Error/Help Tip: The help tip will be presented to a submitter when hovering their mouse over the help tip icon () for the control. This attribute will also be utilized to provide additional information to the submitter when an invalid value is available for the control.

Read-Only?: If set to "Yes", the control will be displayed in a read-only mode. If set to "No", the control will be editable. If set to "If Prepopulated", the control will be displayed in read-only mode, if the control is pre-filled with data.

Autopopulate Contact and Address?: If checked, the contact and address fields will automatically be populated in the control based on the information found in the submitter’s user profile.

Conditionally Display Control?: If checked, the Display Formula will be enabled for configuration.

Display Formula: The formula used to determine if this control will be displayed in the form. See Formula Builder (Section 11.6) topic for additional details on the use of this field.

Conceal/Purge Value: For sensitive information, control value selection can be set the conceal, conceal and purge, or none. If "None" is selected, data will display in standard ways. If "Conceal" is selected, data entered in this control will be concealed from most users. If "Conceal and Purge" is selected, data entered in this control will be concealed from most users and will be purged from the submission, once the submission is finalized.

Tag: The unique name assigned to the control to allow the control to be uniquely identified. This attribute is essential for facilitating the data importing and exporting processes.

Contact Group Label: The label displayed above the Contact information area in the control. If left blank, no label will be displayed in this area.

Individual:

• Display Individual Name: If checked, the individual First Name and Last Name fields will be displayed.

• Individual Name Required: If checked, the individual First Name and Last Name fields will be required to be entered by the submitter.

• Prefix: If checked, the Prefix field will be displayed.

• Prefix Required: If checked, the Prefix field will be required to be entered by the submitter.

• Middle Name: If checked, the Middle Name field will be displayed.

• Middle Name Required: If checked, the Middle Name field will be required to be entered by the submitter.

Title:

• Display Title: If checked, the Title field will be displayed.

• Title Required: If checked, the Title field will be required to be entered by the submitter.

• Organization/Company Name:

• Display Organization/Company Name: If checked, the Organization/Company Name field will be displayed.

• Organization/Company Name Required: If checked, the Organization/Company Name field will be required to be entered by the submitter.

• Organization/Company Name Custom Label: If a value is entered in this field, this will be the label presented for the Organization/Company Name field. If no value is provided, Organization Name will be displayed.

Phone:

• Display Phone: If checked, the Phone fields will be displayed.

• At Least 1 Required: If checked, at least one phone number will be required to be provided by the submitter. 

• Phone Number Group Label: The label is displayed above the Phones area in the control. If left blank, no label will be displayed in this area.

• Multiple phone numbers allowed: If checked, multiple phone numbers can be provided by the submitter.

• Allowed phone number types:

• Main: If checked, the user will be allowed to enter a main phone number.

• Business: If checked, the user will be allowed to enter a business phone number.

• Home: If checked, the user will be allowed to enter a home phone number.

• Mobile: If checked, the user will be allowed to enter a mobile phone number.

• Other: If checked, the user will be allowed to enter another type of phone number.

• Note: Selecting more than one phone type changes the appearance of the control and position of the phone number data entry fields.

Email Address:

• Display Email Address: If checked, the Email field will be displayed.

• Email Address Required: If checked, the Email field will be required to be entered by the submitter.

Address:

• Display Address: If checked, the address fields (e.g., Address Line 1, Address Line 2, City, State/Area, Postal Code) will be displayed.

• Address Required: If checked, an address will be required to be entered by the submitter.

• Address Group Label: The label is displayed above the address information area in the control. If left blank, no label will be displayed in this area.

• Location Description: If checked, the Location Description field will be enabled, allowing for entry of a location description (e.g., 1/4 beyond milepost 214)

• Country: If checked, the Country field will be enabled.

• Country Required: If checked, the Country field will be required.

• County: If checked, the County field will be enabled.

• County Required: If checked, the County field will be required.

• Require County if Country is provided (US Only): If checked, the County field will be required if the Country field is populated (and equal to United States).

Validation:

• Allow partial addresses: If checked, partial addresses will be accepted (e.g., city, state, and zip code with no street address are accepted, etc.).

Calculated Control

The Calculated Control is an advanced read-only control that can be used to display the result of a calculation as a read-only field on a form. Returned values can be evaluated to a string, Boolean, or numeric value. To add a calculated control to a form section, the calculated control can be found on the Advanced tab when selecting from available controls.

Form Design

When a Calculated control is added to a section of a form, the control editor is presented. 

Below is a description of each attribute available for the Calculated control.

Label: The label that will be presented to the submitter for the control.

Help Tip: The help tip will be presented to a submitter when hovering their mouse over the help tip icon () for the control. This attribute will also be utilized to provide additional information to the submitter when an invalid value is available for the control.

Hidden?: If checked, the system will hide the display of this control from the submitter. The calculated control can be hidden if the intent is to use the control for exporting calculated data only or as the dynamic display name for a repeating section.

Calculated Value Formula:  The formula used to determine the value(s) that will be displayed in the form. 

Note: The user can utilize the buttons for Tags, Operators, and Functions to develop their formula. Alternatively, the formula can be hand-keyed into the Display Formula textbox. 

Enforced Format:

• Decimal Places: Specify the number of decimal places with will be enterable/displayed for the value.

• Use 1000 Separator (,)?: If checked, a comma will be displayed to separate 1000’s (e.g., 1,343,200).

Tag: The unique name assigned to the control to allow the control to be uniquely identified. This attribute is essential for facilitating the data importing and exporting processes.

Tags

Tags in the Display Formula window are the tags for controls within the form that are available for reference. When a tag is referenced in the formula it must be surrounded by backticks (` `).  Tags added to the questions from the Tags button will already have these backticks. 

A control within the same section as the one configured to conditionally display will be referenced as simply the control tag name in the syntax of `CONTROL_TAG`. 

A control in a different section than the one configured to be conditionally displayed will be referenced as `SECTION_TAG:CONTROL_TAG`.

Controls available for reference will display when the ‘TAGS’ button is selected. 

Operators

Operators indicate how the formula will evaluate the value within a control and the criteria that the control is evaluated against. Available operators include, but are not limited to:

Note: Some values may be returned as a string concatenation. In these cases, the value may need to be converted to the desired format using num(), str(), or val() functions.

Functions

The Functions button lists predefined procedures that have been configured into nFORM for use in evaluating tag values. These functions include, but are not limited to:

Scenarios

The following section provides several different formula examples and samples.

Scenario 1: Display the Sum of Numeric Values from a Repeating Section 

In this scenario, a number control is used on a repeating section to collect the values to be summed and a calculated control is used to display the total sum on a different form section. The basic formula would be:

The components of this formula break down as:

• `REPEATING_SECTION_TAG` is the section tag for the repeating section on which the referenced control lives. This is required if the referenced control is not in the same section as the calculated control

• `NUM_CONTROL_TAG` is the numeric control on the repeating section to be used in the calculation.

• NUM() is a function that casts the entered value as a numeric. Ensures the addition operator is used for addition rather than calculation

• SUM() is the function for summing up all values in the provided list. In this case, it sums up the numeric results from the discharge volume control on the discharges section.

Scenario 2: Display the Volume of a Cube in an Advanced Table Control

In this scenario, an advanced table control is being used to collect information on a rectangular room’s dimensions to calculate the volume of the room. The basic formula would be:

The components of this formula break down as:

• `LENGTH `, `WIDTH`, and `HEIGHT` are the tags for the numeric controls within the advanced table control.

• * is the multiplication operator for multiplying the numeric control values

• + is being used here to concatenate a series of strings for display.

• `UNITS` is the tag for the single select control for units on the advanced table control.

• .description is used at the end of the tag due to a selection list being referenced.

Scenario 3: Display Text Conditionally Based on the Answer to a Previous Selection

In this scenario, the calculated control displays a certain text string if a certain answer is given to a single select and displays a different string if a different answer is given.  The basic formula would be:

The components of this formula break down as:

• `YES_NO` is the tag of the single select control to be used in the calculation

• .description is used at the end of the tag due to a selection list being referenced.

• ==”Yes” indicates that the formula results in true only when the selection choice is “Yes”.

• Iff() is the IF THEN function syntax that allows the user to display one thing if the conditional evaluates to true and another if the conditional evaluates to false. In this case, if the answer to the yes/no question is Yes, “Restricted” will display in the calculated control. If the answer is anything other than Yes, “No Restricted” will display in the calculated control.

An alternative way in which to write this same formula would be to use the ternary operator rather than the Iff function. This formula written with the ternary operator would appear as follows:

Note: The ternary operator is explained in more detail in the Calculation Formulas section of this guide.

Scenario 4: Add a $100 Fee If Start Date Within 30 Days of End Date

In this scenario, two date controls are used to collect the start date and end dates. If the start date is within 30 days of the end date, a $100 fee will be assessed. The basic formula would be:

The components of this formula break down as:

• `StartDate_Tag` is the tag value for the start date field.

• `EndDate_Tag ` is the tag value for the end date field.

• iff(condition, ifTrue, ifFalse) is the function that returns one of two values, depending on whether the Boolean condition evaluates to true or false. The Boolean expression compares the number of dates between start and end dates and if less than or equal to 30, returns True. Otherwise, return False. If True, 5 is returned. If False, 0 is returned.

• datediff(startDate, endDate, datePart) is a function that returns the count (as an integer) of the specified datePart boundaries crossed between the specified startDate and endDate. “days” is the datePart value.

Scenario 5: Single Select to Pre-determined Value Lookup

This scenario demonstrates how to display a pre-determined value based on the user's selection within a single-select dropdown, using the select function. The formula compares the selected contaminant's description against a list of defined cases, returning the corresponding value if a match is found.

Example:

We have a single-select dropdown listing contaminants and want to display a pre-determined "RBSL" (Risk-Based Screening Level) value based on the selected contaminant.

Explanation:

• This formula is used within the property (like Value) of the control that should display the RBSL value.

• OTHER_CONT.description references the "description" field of the record in the OTHER_CONT table/dataset containing the selected contaminant name.

• The case statements define possible matches between the selected description and pre-determined values. You'll need to add additional cases for each contaminant with its corresponding RBSL value.

Message Control

The Message control is an advanced read-only control that can be used to display the messages to the user. The types of messages can be presented, 1) Informational; 2) Warning; and 3) Error. Errors prevent the user from proceeding with submitting the form, while warnings and informational messages do not. A formula is used to determine whether the message control will be displayed.

Some potential usage examples,

• Informational: If a user selects a particular permit type value from a dropdown, the user can be informed that their fees will be manually calculated by internal staff, at a later date.
  
  

• Warning: If a user answers a question stating that they have received enforcement from other state agencies, a warning can be presented to the user notifying them that they will be required to mail the agency documentation of the enforcement.
  
  

• Error: If the user selects "Yes" to a Yes/No question, a description field can be required or it can be communicated to the user that they are using the incorrect form and submission can be prevented. Another example would be, if two dates are available as a date range, it can be validated that the start date is before the end date in the range.
  
  

Below is a description of each attribute available for the Message control.

Type: A selection of the control type. Options include 

• Info – An informational message displayed to the user. Users can submit the form regardless of whether an informational message is displayed. When selected, the Conditionally Display Control option will be enabled.

• Warning – A warning message is displayed to the user, based on the properties of a submission. Users can submit the form regardless of whether a warning message is displayed. When selected, the Conditionally Display Control option will be enabled.

• Error – An error message displayed to a user based on the properties of a submission. Users are unable to submit the form if an error message is displayed. When selected, the Display Formula option will be enabled.

Message Content: The message that will be displayed to the user.

Suppress from Print and Download: If checked, the control will be suppressed from prints and downloads.

Display Formula:  The formula used to determine the value(s) that will be displayed in the form. 

Scenarios

The following section provides display formula example(s) and sample(s).

Scenario 1: Display Error/Warning Message When Date is in the Future  

In this scenario, an error/warning is displayed when the user enters a date in a date field that is in the future. The basic formula would be:

The components of this formula break down as:

• date() is a function that is used to convert the entered value into a date type.

• `TANK_DT` is the date control within the form to be used in the calculation.

• today() is a function that returns the current date.

Scenario 2: Display Error/Warning Message When Date (in Table) is in the Future  

In this scenario, an error/warning is displayed when the user enters one or more dates in a date field in the future, that resides in a table. The basic formula would be:

The components of this formula break down as:

• count() is a function that counts the number of occurrences of a situation (a future date being entered).

• lookup() is a function that looks up a value from a column cell based on a logical test (future date). “1” is a placeholder and just needs to be a non-null value.

• date() is a function that is used to convert the entered value into a date type.

• `TANK_DT` is the date control within the form to be used in the calculation.

• today() is a function that returns the current date. 

Custom Validation

nFORM has several options for validating the data that is submitted by users in nFORM to ensure that data is collected in the proper format. Validation in nFORM allows form designers to ensure that the value entered by the user matches the required pattern or format and prevents users from submitting values that do not match the defined format.

There are three types of validation available to form designers:

• Formatted Controls

• Pre-built Validation Types for the Short Text Control

• Custom Validation for the Short Text Control

Formatted Controls allow form designers to quickly add controls of a certain format to a form in as few steps as possible, but do not give the form designer additional control over the format that the control accepts. The Short Text control also includes an option to choose an enforced format. Pre-built validations for the Short Text control give the form designer more control over the acceptable values than the formatted controls but are still limited to the validation formats that the system has supplied. Both formatted controls and pre-built validation types are limited to the formats that are already built into nFORM: number, phone, email, URL, date, and time. While these formats may be sufficient for most forms, some form designers may require more control over the validation.

If the pre-built validation formats are not sufficient for control, form designers can create custom validation by selecting a Validation Type of Custom and entering a regular expression in the Custom Regular Expression field that appears. A regular expression (commonly referred to as RegEx) is a sequence of characters with specific syntax rules that can be used to form a search pattern. For custom validation in nFORM, this forces the user’s input to match the search pattern specified in the custom validation.

In nFORM, when a user’s input matches the pattern defined by the regular expression, that input is acceptable. Any input that does not match will not be accepted by the system and if the field is required, the user will be unable to submit until a match is entered. For this reason, it is good practice to provide a detailed description of the format the control is expecting in the Error/Help Tip for controls that employ custom validation to ensure users know why their incorrectly formatted input is not being accepted.

Note: there are several RegEx libraries available online which can be helpful, but do test/confirm any RegExes you select in the nFORM system as not all RegExes presented will be compatible in this context.

Metacharacters

Within regular expressions, characters that have special meaning within the pattern are called metacharacters. These metacharacters combine with regular characters to specify the pattern to be matched. The metacharacters are {}[]()^$.|*+? and \. 

Metacharacters become regular characters when escaped with the backslash (\), and conversely, certain regular characters can become metacharacters when escaped. For example, if the pattern to match contains a dollar sign (e.g., if the user is expected to enter a money value in the format of $1.00) then the $ sign would need to be escaped by preceding it with a backslash in the expression so it is not interpreted as the metacharacter indicating the end of the text. Conversely escaping an s by preceding it with a backslash turns it into a metacharacter representing white space rather than matching an s.

The following is a brief list of metacharacters that are commonly used within nFORM for custom validation and some examples of how they may be used:

Scenarios

Scenario 1: Validate that a Zip Code is a Valid Vermont Zip Code

This regular expression forces the input to start with the characters ‘05’ (^05), followed by any three numbers (\d{3}), which can then conditionally be followed by a dash and any 4 numbers, zero or one times ((-\d{4})?) and nothing more ($). What the regular expression does is ensures that the zip code entered begins with ‘05’ to indicate that it is a valid Vermont zip code, and then allows an additional four-number extension followed by a dash if necessary. The acceptable formats are 05### and 05###-####.

Scenario 2: Validate that a Formatted Permit Number

This regular expression forces the input to start with the number 1 (^1), followed by a dash and any 4 numbers (-\d{4}), and then nothing else ($). The regular expression ensures that the value the user enters is a valid UIC permit number in the pattern of 1-####.

Scenario 3: Validate a Specific Phone Number Format

This regular expression forces the input to start with any 3 numbers (^\d{3}), followed by zero or one dash (-?), followed by any three numbers (\d{3}), followed by any four numbers (\d{4}), then nothing else. The regular expression ensures that the value the user enters is a phone number in a format of either ###-###-#### or ##########. This is particularly useful if a program database is expecting the phone number in a particular format or has restrictions on the length since the standard phone number control allows several different formats and doesn’t have restrictions on the number of characters contained within a phone extension.

Data Inheritance

New form submissions can be configured to pre-populate (or inherit) data from previously submitted form(s). This is referred to as Data Inheritance in nFORM. This can be a powerful tool for supporting data pre-population, when appropriate. One benefit to this data pre-population technique is that no back-end coding is required – all configuration is implemented within the Form Designer.

The form providing data to the pre-population process is referred to as the “source” form and the form receiving the data is referred to as the “recipient” form. If all controls in the source form are Tagged and the form is published, all remaining configuration is performed on the “recipient” form.

When a submitter selects and begins a form to submit, the user will be prompted to enter the Submission Number for the prior Submission that will provide/donate data to their new recipient Submission.

Configuring for Data Inheritance in the Source Form

The source form, or the form(s) from which data will be pulled to populate the recipient form, must be configured and published before the recipient form can be set up to pre-populate from it. 

The main configuration settings needed for a source form to be considered ready for Data Inheritance include:

1. Source Forms, Sections, and controls that will provide data must be fully configured and Tagged. Since pre-population is established by linking recipient form controls to a specific source form, section, and control, the configuration must be established to enable this linking.

2. The source form must be been published. Only the published version of a form is available as a source form.

Configuring Data Inheritance in the Recipient Form

Once the source form has been configured sufficiently, the recipient form will need to be enabled and configured for pre-population. To enable data import from a prior form submission, at least one source form must be selected. This capability is enabled under the “Pre-fill” tab of the recipient form in the Form Designer. 

In the “Import from Previous Submission” section, click upon the “Add Source Form” or “Add Additional Source Form button” and all available source forms will be listed within the select list named “Source Form”. Any previously published form is available for reference. Select the desired source form from this list and click “Select”.

Once a form is selected, the Source Submission Selection Prompt box will display.

After the source form has been selected, the “Source Submission Selection Prompt” box will display. Click on the Edit icon to enable the Manage Identifier dialog and to enter a Prompt Label and Instructive Text. These fields will define the Prompt (for Submission Number) and instructive text that will be presented to the external users when they are prompted to provide the source form Submission Number to support the data inheritance process. If the Prompt Label is not configured, the user will not be prompted to enter the Submission Number and pre-population will not work. 

If the “Require source submission” box is checked, a user will be unable to complete and submit the form unless they first provide a Submission Number from which to pre-populate data. This ensures that the form is being pre-populated with existing data but also prevents the use of the form if the source form was not previously submitted using this system.

If “Restrict choices to user's submissions of [Form Name]” is checked, only prior submissions provided from the same user account will be accepted.

If “Enable 'autocomplete' suggestions on submission selection” is checked, Submission Numbers will be suggested to the user in the Submission Number field based on matches found in the database for the portion of the Submission Number entered. Use this option with caution as users may be able to "fish" for data using this fill option.

Linking Controls from within the Recipient Form

Once the form-level settings are configured to enable data inheritance, the individual controls within the recipient form will need to be linked to a source control from the source form. 

To link a recipient control to a source form control, navigate into a section containing a control to be linked. Hover over the control and a Link Control icon will appear. 

Clicking on the Link Control icon will open a mapping dialog box. 

In the Mapping window, compatible controls (and sections containing compatible controls) are listed in the selection lists for “Source” and “Control”. First, select the Source where the desired control resides in the source form. Once selected, the Control box will populate with the compatible controls available within the selected section. Select the desired Control. Note: if multiple source forms are available, multiple controls can be selected (one from each source).

Compatible Control Types

All controls can inherit data from controls of the same type. Some controls can be inherited from other types as well. See below for a listing of compatible control types for data inheritance.

Conditional Display

Controls and sections can be configured to display based on a user’s response in one or more controls on a form. This allows for the support of a wide variety of business scenarios. For example, if a feature is of a type tank, the system can present additional tank-specific information. Another example is, if a submitter has received prior violations they can be asked to provide dates/descriptions of the violation(s).

Form Design

Conditional display can be configured for both a section of a form or an individual control. For both, the process of controlling the display is the same. The section or control will be displayed or hidden based on the results of a formula. A display formula is configured, defining the criteria that would result in the control being displayed.

Section Conditionally Displayed

To enable the conditional display feature for a section, check the “Section is conditionally displayed” checkbox on the Section design dialog. The Display Formula textbox will appear. See the Display Formula section below for additional details on Display Formula.

Control Conditionally Displayed

To enable the conditional display feature for a control, check the “Conditionally Display Control” checkbox on the Control design dialog. The Display Formula textbox will appear. See the Display Formula section below for additional details on Display Formula.

Control Conditionally Read-only

Controls can be configured to have conditionality alter the read-only settings of a control. As a form designer, you can configure this by controlling and choosing Conditional under the read-only dropdown within a control. Choosing this will then display a conditional formula box. This formula can utilize the same logic outlined below.

Conditionality Formula

Conditional display can be configured for both a section of a form or an individual control. For both, the process of controlling the display is the same. The section or control will be displayed or hidden based on True/False logic. A display formula is configured, defining the criteria that would result in the control being displayed.

• If the formula results in True, then the control is displayed. 

• If the formula results in False, then the control remains hidden.

The user can utilize the buttons for Tags, Operators, and Functions to develop their formula with guidance from the system. Alternatively, the formula can be handed into the Display Formula textbox. 

See the Formula Builder Examples section of this document for additional examples of these formulas.

Tags

Tags in the Display Formula window represent the Tags assigned to controls within the form that are available for reference. When a Tag is referenced in the Display Formula it must be surrounded by backticks (` `).  Tags added to the questions from the Tags button will already have these backticks. 

A control within the same section as the one configured to conditionally display will be referenced as simply the control tag name in the syntax of `CONTROL_TAG`. For example:

A control in a different section than the one configured to be conditionally displayed will be referenced as `SECTION_TAG:CONTROL_TAG`. For example:

Controls available for reference will display when the ‘TAGS’ button is selected. 

Notes:

• When referencing a control in the form, the control Tag must be enclosed in backticks (`). A backtick (`) is a different character from a single quote (‘). 

• When referencing a choice within a single or multiple selection control list, a .description is required after the closing backtick of the tag. See the scenarios below for examples.

• Referencing advanced table controls is possible in nFORM version 4.5 and newer.

Operators

Operators indicate how the formula will evaluate the value within a control and the criteria that the control is evaluated against. Available operators include, but are not limited to:

• >= Greater than or equal to

• > Greater than

• <= Less than or equal to

• < Less than

• == Equal to

• != Not equal to

• + Addition

• - Subtraction

Functions

The Functions button lists predefined procedures that have been configured into nFORM for use in evaluating tag values. These functions include, but are not limited to:

• contains

• iff

• num

• str

• max

• min

• avg

• round

Scenarios

The following section provides several different Display Formula scenarios and example formulas.

Scenario 1: Evaluate a choice from a single selection control

In this scenario, an instruction control is configured to conditionally display based on user selection from a single selection control. The basic formula for this would be: 

In this example, the choices within the drop-down box are “Yes” or “No”. The instruction control is configured to display only when the user selects a “Yes” answer. The formula used here is:

The components of this formula break down as:

• `TRG_YES_NO` is the tag of the triggering control.

• .description is used at the end of the tag due to a selection list being referenced.

• ==”Yes” indicates that the formula results in true only when the selection choice is “Yes”.

Scenario 2: Evaluate against a numerical value input

In this scenario, a user enters a numerical value into a number control. Another control is conditionally displayed if the input value is greater than 50. The formula used in the example below is: 

The components of this formula break down as:

• `NUM_ONE` is the tag of the triggering control.

• > This operator indicates the relationship (greater than) between the value of the triggering control and a set value that will result in a true response.

• The number 50 indicates the value that the triggering control input is evaluated against. Note that numerical values within formulas are not enclosed in quotes (unlike the “Yes” selection choice in the example above).

Scenario 3: Evaluate choice from a multiple-selection control

In this scenario, a user selects one or more values from a multiple-selection control. Another control is conditionally displayed based on a particular value selected by the user.

When referencing a multiple-selection control, the contains function is used to declare the value or values that will result in a TRUE validation. The formula used in the example below is:

The components of this formula break down as:

• contains evaluates the select values to determine if any match the criteria defined in the equation

• `FAV_COLOR`.description is the tag of the control being referenced. The .description indicates that the description of the selected value(s) will be evaluated.

• ‘Blue’ is the value of the option within the multiple-selection control which, if selected, will result in a TRUE response. Note the use of single quotes around the value in this scenario.

If more than one selection from the multiple-selection control could result in a TRUE response, the matching options are specified within an iff statement. An example would be:

In this example, the selection of Blue and Green would evaluate to TRUE. 

Scenario 4: Evaluating multiple potential choices from a single-selection control

In this scenario, a control is configured to conditionally display based on user selection from a single-selection control. Unlike in Scenario 1, this formula will search for multiple potential selections using the contains function. The basic formula for this would be: 

For example, consider two controls: one is a single-select control containing a list of counties and the other is a textbox. The formula below is added to the textbox to configure it so that it only displays when the user selects one of the specified counties in the single-select control containing the counties. The formula used here is:

The components of this formula break down as follows:

• contains evaluates the select values to determine if any match the criteria defined in the list

• `SITE_CNTY`.description is the tag of the control being referenced (the single-select control containing a list of counties). The .description indicates that the description of the selected value will be evaluated.

• [‘Beaufort’,’Charleston’,’Georgetown’,’Horry’,’Berkeley’,’Colleton’,’Dorchester’,’Jasper’] is the array of values within the single-selection control which, if any one of these is selected, will result in a TRUE response.

Scenario 5: Using iff function to declare TRUE/FALSE

The previous scenario showed how a control can be configured to display if certain conditions are evaluated as TRUE—for example, if a specified control does contain certain selected values. Using the iff function, it is also possible to do the reverse: to configure a control to display if certain conditions are evaluated as FALSE. For example, you might want to display a control if a specified control does not contain certain selected values. In some cases, such as referencing especially long lists in a single- or multiple-selection control, it is easier to evaluate against only a few values. (In other words, it can be easier to specify “if a control does not contain X” rather than saying “if a control does contain A, B, C, D, E, F, or G”) By combining the iff and contains functions, the logic shown in the previous scenario can be reversed. The basic formula for this would be: 

This can be read as “If condition is true, then return the ifTrue value, otherwise, return the isFalse value”.

Consider an example in which a textbox is configured with the iff formula shown below. This formula references a single-select control to determine if one of the three provided values has been selected by the user. Without the iff function, when one of these three values is selected, a TRUE result is generated and the conditionally displayed control (the textbox) would be shown. Adding the iff function allows the developer to declare when the TRUE and the FALSE responses occur.

The components of this formula break down as follows:

• iff is the main function configured for the textbox control

• contains([‘Value1’,’Value2’,’Value3’],`SELECTION_CONTROL_TAG_NAME`.description) is the condition statement of the iff function, referencing the values of a single-select control on the form.

• 0 is specified as the ifTrue response. In this instance, 0 means FALSE so “if one of the specified values is selected in the single-select control, return FALSE” (i.e., do not display the textbox).

• 1 is specified as the ifFalse response. In this instance, 1 means TRUE so “if one of the specified values is not selected in the single-select control, return TRUE” (i.e., display the textbox).

The result is that the “contains” function is modified to work as a “does not contain” function. 

Scenario 6: Evaluating against multiple controls

In this scenario, user responses on more than one control are evaluated to determine conditional display. 

Using the same methods described in the other scenarios, each control referenced can be individually evaluated. The display formula for each control is surrounded by parentheses and then each formula is connected using either the or operator (||) or the and operator (&&).

In the example below, two controls are evaluated. In the first formula, a TRUE result is determined if the user selects ‘No’ from the single-selection control. In the second formula, a TRUE result is determined if the user enters a value greater than 10 in the designated number control. Connecting the two formulas is the or operator, represented by two pipe symbols (||). When these pieces are put together, the full formula evaluates to a TRUE statement when either of the individual formulas evaluates to TRUE.

Conversely, if the and operator (&&) were used, both of the given formulas would need to evaluate to TRUE for the entire expression to evaluate to TRUE. 

Binding Data Sources to Form Controls

Lookup values available for selection in a Single-Select control, Multi-Select control, and Short Text with Type-Ahead enabled can be configured in several different manners. These include:

• Typed In:  Allows the user to enter a static list of values to present to the submitter.

• Dynamic: Allows users to select a data-driven list, which is stored in the database.

• Repeating Section or Advanced Table: Allows users to select values entered on the form in a Repeating Section or Advanced Table.

Note: Short Text Controls only support the Dynamic method.

Tip: If a lookup list is larger than approximately 50 items, it is recommended that a Short Text control with a Dynamic Auto-Complete data source be utilized, to maintain the performance of the form design (especially in IE).

Use the steps below to configure these data sources.

Typed In

The typed-in data source allows the user to enter a static list of values to present to the submitter in a control. 

Use the following steps to configure a Typed data source:

• Open a Single or Multi-Select control edit dialog (in edit mode).

• In the Datasource Type field select “Typed In”. Once selected, an Options field will be displayed.
  
  

• Type in the list of values to be presented in the control in the Options field. Each item in the list will be separated by a carriage return.
  
  

Dynamic

The Dynamic data source allows the user to select a data-driven list, which is stored in the database. This could be in support of allowing the user to select from a list of items such as Counties, Company Names, Site IDs/Names, or NAICS codes on a Short Text, Single Select, or Multi-Select control. This dynamic data source is stored in the LOOKUP and LOOKUP_VALUE tables in the database. This list can be updated regularly (e.g., nightly or weekly), if appropriate. See the Dynamic Data Source Configuration section below for more details on how to populate the supporting data tables.

Performance Tips for Large Lookups

If you have a large lookup table with more than 50 entries, it is recommended that the Short Text control is used. Slow performance can occur when large lookups are bound to a Single Selection or Multiple Selection Control since the entire lookup table is embedded in the form data which must be downloaded to the user's browser.

In contrast, when a Short Text control is used, lookup values are dynamically loaded from the server as the user types in the field, reducing the amount of data sent to the user's browser.

Control Configuration

Use the following steps to configure a Dynamic data source for a Short Text Control:

• Open a Single-Select, Multi-Select, or Short Text control edit dialog (in edit mode).

• In the Auto-Complete Data Source field select the desired dynamic list.
  
  

• In the Number of Matched Displayed field, specify (as a whole number) the maximum number of suggestions/matches to be displayed in the dropdown list when valid text is entered.

• If the Only Allow Lookup Values? field is checked, the submitter can only select/enter values found in the available list. If unchecked, values not in the list can be entered.

Use the following steps to configure a Dynamic data source for a Single or Multi-Select Control:

• Open the Single or Multi-Select control edit dialog (in edit mode).

• In the Datasource Datasource Type field select “Dynamic”. Once selected, a Dynamic Data Source field will be displayed.
  
  

• Select the list to be presented in the control from the Dynamic Data Source field. This list will be driven by the lookup lists defined in the LOOKUP table.
  
  

Dynamic Data Source Configuration

The dynamic data sources are stored in the LOOKUP and LOOKUP_VALUE tables in the database. These tables must be populated appropriately to support the “Dynamic” lookup technique. The LOOKUP table defines each dynamic lookup list available and the LOOKUP_VALUE table defines each value for selection in the associated dynamic lookup list. 

This list is updated in the system as a part of a periodic automated process and can be configured to occur regularly (e.g., nightly or weekly), if appropriate. These tables are described below.

LOOKUP

Below is a definition of each attribute available in the LOOKUP table which defines each dynamic data source available within the nFORM system:

• LOOKUP_ID: The unique identifier that represents the record.

• NAME: The name of the lookup list which will be presented to users in the form designer for selection and use.

• CREATED_DATE: The date and time the record was created.

• CREATED_USER: The unique identifier that represents the user that created the record.

• UPDATED_DATE: The date and time the record was last updated.

• UPDATED_USER: The unique identifier that represents the user that last updated the record.

• IS_AVAILABLE_FOR_DROPDOWN: This indicates whether this list can be used as a dropdown list in addition to the type ahead.  This should not be enabled on lists exceeding 200 individual entries. 

LOOKUP_VALUE

Below is a definition of each attribute in the LOOKUP_VALUE table which defines each item in a dynamic data source:

• LOOKUP_VALUE_ID: The unique identifier that represents the record.

• LOOKUP_ID: The identifier that represents the parent LOOKUP record.

• NAME: The short name of the lookup value.

• DESCRIPTION: The longer description of the lookup value.

• CREATED_DATE: The date and time the record was created.

• CREATED_USER: The unique identifier that represents the user that created the record

• UPDATED_DATE: The date and time the record was last updated.

• UPDATED_USER: The unique identifier that represents the user that last updated the record.

• IS_ACTIVE: Indicates if the name-value pair is still active, and selectable, or if it's expired, and needs to be reselected. 

The lookup lists are cached when the system is started. If the list is being updated regularly, it will be important that the lookup lists are populated before the system is restarted and re-cached for the updates to take effect.

See Appendix B: Lookup Population topic for techniques on populating these tables.

Inactive Values

• If a value is outdated and no longer applicable, the IS_ACTIVE value can be set to “0” in the table to inactivate the value. This will disallow the value from being selected in draft and future submissions while preserving historical data. 

• Inactive values on the LOOKUP_VALUE table can be passed to a new submission through data inheritance if that value was used on the submission record being inherited from. However, the field will display a warning indicating that the selection is invalid and the user will be unable to submit.

Cascading Lists

nFORM provides the ability to filter a selection list(s) based on the value selected in another selection list, in a cascading manner. This is to say that the selection in one dropdown (e.g., Watershed), can limit the selections in another dropdown (e.g., Stream). This cascading/filtering can be performed for multiple levels (e.g., Region, Watershed, Steam).

To configure this feature, multiple components will need to be configured including establishing the lookup data and relationships between the datasets as well as configuring the form controls that will utilize this feature. Detailed instructions for setting this scenario up can be found here:

1. Establish Lookup data:

   1. Establish parent lookup (e.g., Watershed) in the nform.LOOKUP table and related lookup values in the nform.LOOKUP_VALUE table.

   2. Establish child lookup (e.g., Stream) in the nform.LOOKUP table and related lookup values in the nform.LOOKUP_VALUE table, with a link to the parent in Lookup type.

   3. Establish parent/child relationships between lookups in the nform.LOOKUP_HEIRARCHY table.

2. Enable the feature in Form Control Designer

   1. Add parent selection control (e.g., Watershed)

      1. When configuring the control, select “Dynamic” Data Source and assign a Tag value.

   2. Add child selection control (e.g., Stream)

      1. When configuring the control:

         1. Select “Dynamic” Data Source

         2. Assign Tag value.

         3. Select the parent control in the “If this data source is a child of another control, select the parent control tag.” property.

3. Filtering lists are enabled on the form. Preview your form to test it out.

Note: This feature is only available in Single Select Controls and Short Text Controls with type ahead enabled.

Repeating Section and Advanced Table

The Repeating Section and Advanced Table data sources allow the user to select values entered on the form in a Repeating Section or Advanced Table. This will allow for sections to be associated with one another. For example, if a user defines all tanks used in a system in an Advanced Table, another form section could ask the user which tank is considered the primary greywater tank and the user can select this tank from a list of tanks they defined in the Advanced Table.

The form designer user will be able to specify the unique control used to link the values (this control value is not necessarily displayed to the user) and then a formula can be entered to specify the text to display to the user in the selectable list. For example, a “Tank ID” can be utilized as the field that links the lists, while the submitter may only see the Tank Name value in the select list.

Use the following steps to configure a Repeating Section or Advanced Table data source:

• Open a Single or Multi-Select control edit dialog (in edit mode).

• In the Datasource Datasource Type field select “Repeating Section” or “Advanced Table”. Once selected, the Unique Key Field and Selection Display Value Formula attributes will be displayed for configuration.
  
  

• Enter the Tag for the control on the Repeating Section or Advanced Table that is considered unique, and can be used for linking the value (e.g., Key, ID, Number, etc.) in the Unique Key Field. Any value used as the Unique Key Field must be required on the form entry. This field will represent the primary unique identifier that will be saved with any linked selection.
  Note: Referenced attributes/controls can be of type Short Text, Single Selection, or any Formatted Controls. Backticks are not needed in this field.
  
  

• In the Selection Display Value Formula field, enter the formula that will be used to determine the text that will be displayed to the user for each value in this Single or Multi-Selection control. A great deal of flexibility has been provided with this formula which supports very simple and very complex derivations. See the Calculation Formulas section of this document for more details on acceptable formula formats. Use Tags (i.e., wrapped in `backticks`) to reference form attributes. Referenced form attributes/controls must reside in the same Repeating Section or Advanced Table that is referenced in the Unique Key Field. These referenced form attributes can be supplemented with literal text, as appropriate. 

Tip: It is recommended that values used in this formula be required for form entry.
Tip: Any references to a Tag value must be contained within ticks (i.e., `). Please note that the tick (i.e., `) differs from the single quote (i.e., ').

Note: Referenced attributes/controls can be of type Short Text, Single Selection, or any Formatted control.
Note: The Selection Display Formula can include the same “unique key” as was selected in the Unique Key Field, or other attributes within the same data source can be displayed, for example, `KeyControl`.

Scenarios

Scenario 1: Link a Single Select List to a Repeating Section List

In this scenario, a repeating section collects information about a series of contacts, including the contact’s name. In a different section, a linked control is set up to allow the user to select a primary contact from the list of contacts inputted in the repeating section.

Datasource: Repeating Section

Control tag for Selected Value (saved data): REPEATING_SECTION_NAME -This is the tag for the contact name control on the repeating section.

Display Formula for Selection: `REPEATING_SECTION_NAME` - Because the desire is to have the submitter select exactly what will be saved to the database, only the section tag for the contact name control on the repeating section is used. Here, the tag is enclosed in backticks because it is evaluated as a formula.

Scenario 2: Link a Multi-Select List to an Advanced Table List

In this scenario, an advanced table is set up that defaults a series of codes and the corresponding descriptions. In the same section, a linked multi-select control is used to allow the collection of a number of those codes that may have special meaning to the submitter. The submitter may know the description of the codes they want, but not the actual code, but the code is what should be selected and stored. The code is set up as the saved value and a formula is created to display the description and the code to the submitter for selection.

Datasource: Advanced Table

Control tag for Selected Value (saved data): CODE_CONTROL – This is the tag for the code control on the advanced table. Only the code will be saved to the database.

Display Formula for Selection: `CODE_CONTROL`  –  `DESC_CONTROL` - In this scenario, it is desirable to display both the code and the description to the user to ensure they select the correct code. This formula contains both the tag for the code control and the tag for the description control, formatted to display with a couple of spaces and a dash in between. This allows submitters who may know the description of the item they want, but not the code, to still be able to select the correct code. Note that the explicit text does not need to be enclosed in quotation marks to display correctly.

Conceal and Purge Data

The system provides the ability to conceal and purge sensitive information in form submissions. When a data point is concealed, the information will be hidden from view for most users (users who don’t hold confidential viewer roles). When a data point is set to be concealed and purged, the information will be hidden from view from most users and will be purged from the submission, upon submission finalization.

Note: Concealed and Purged data points will not be available for export from the system due to their sensitivity.

In summary, the conceal and purge logic supports the following situations:

Submission in In Process Status

• External User (Submitter): Can see all data.

• Internal User (Not the Processor): data is hidden in controls marked 'Conceal and Purge' and 'Conceal'.

• Internal User (Processor): Can see all the data.

Submission in Completed Status

• External User (Submitter): Can't see data with control of 'Conceal and Purge'. Can see data with control of 'Conceal'.

• Internal User (Not the Processor): Data is hidden.

• Internal User (Processor): Can't see data with control of 'Conceal and Purge'. Can see data with control of 'Conceal'.

COR Availability for a Submission in Completed Status

• External User (Submitter): COR displays the data for both the concealed control and conceal and purge control.

• Internal User (Not the Processor): COR is not available.

• Internal User (Processor): COR displays the data for both the concealed control and conceal and purge control.

Conceal Data Point

A data point can be concealed. This will obscure the entered value for the data point of view for most users (users who don’t hold the confidential viewer role). 

To conceal a data point, perform the following:

• Click on the Forms link at the top of the page to open the Forms Manager.

• Click on the Edit icon for the form in question to open the Forms Designer.

• Ensure the current version of the form is in a Draft status to ensure the form configuration can be edited.

• Navigate to the Sections and Controls (Step 2) section of the Form Designer.

• Click on the Controls button for the section in question to open the Controls Designer.

• Click on the Edit button for the section in question to open the Control edit dialog.

• Select “Conceal” from the Conceal/Purge Value field to set the control to be concealed.

  Note: the Tag field will be disabled when the Conceal and Purge attributes are used. This is to ensure that this sensitive value is not visible/exportable from the system.

• Click the OK button to save the control configuration.

Conceal and Purge Data Point

A data point can be concealed and purged. When a data point is concealed and purged, the value entered is obscured from view from most users (users who don’t hold confidential viewer roles) and will be purged from the submission, upon submission finalization.

Important Note: if the form is configured to establish a Copy of Record (COR) for each submission, the COR of record (which may contain the concealed value), will not be purged after finalization, although it will only be accessible for users who hold confidential viewer roles. For situations where the value must be completely expunged from the system, a COR should not be established.

To conceal and purge a data point perform the following:

• Click on the Forms link at the top of the page to open the Forms Manager.

• Click on the Edit icon for the form in question to open the Forms Designer.

• Ensure the current version of the form is in a Draft status to ensure the form configuration can be edited.

• Navigate to the Sections and Controls (Step 2) section of the Form Designer.

• Click on the Controls button for the section in question to open the Controls Designer.

• Click on the Edit button for the section in question to open the Control edit dialog.

• Select “Conceal and Purge” from the Conceal/Purge Value field to set the control to be concealed.

  Note: the Tag field will be disabled when the Conceal and Purge attributes are used. This is to ensure that this sensitive value is not visible/exportable from the system.

• Click the OK button to save the control configuration.

Appendix A - Formula Builder Examples

Below are some examples of formulas that can be used in the Formula Builder.

Exact Text Comparison Example

The following formula evaluates to True if the SiteName field is equal to "My Site".

Empty Field Example

The following formula evaluates to True if the SiteName field is empty.

Note: “null” is lowercase.

Not Empty Field Example

The following formula evaluates to True if the SiteName field is not empty.

Note: “null” is lowercase.

Select Control Selection (Displayed Description) Exact Comparison Example

The following formula evaluates to True if the selected (and displayed) value in the SelectMenu field (Single or Multiple Select Control) is equal to "Yes". Note the ".description" selection to signify that the comparison will be performed on the displayed description, versus the hidden ID. If the hidden ID value needs to be referenced, ".id" can be specified.

Select Control Selection (Displayed Description) If/Then Comparison Example

The following formula evaluates to True if the selected (and displayed) Pending Violations Select Control value is equal to "Yes", otherwise returns False.

Select Control Selection (Hidden ID) Exact Comparison Example

The following formula evaluates to True if the ID for the selected value in the SelectMenu field (Single or Multiple Select Control) is equal to "2".

Select Control Selection (Displayed Description) Contains Comparison Example

The following formula evaluates to True if the selected (and displayed) value in the County (Single or Multiple Select Control) contains the text "Multnomah", "'Clackamas" or "Washington".

Select Control Selection at least one Selected Example

The following formula evaluates to False if no item is selected and therefore True if one or more are selected.

Simple Math (Multiplication) Example

The following formula multiplies BoxLength by BoxWidth to calculate the area.

Aggregation Function (Summarize) Across Repeating Sections Example

The following formula sums all the Tons values across all Repeaters in a Repeating Section.

Aggregation Function (Average) Across Repeating Sections Example

The following formula averages the Tons values across all Repeaters in a Repeating Section.

Return Cell Value from Advanced Table Based on Value in Another Cell

The following formula returns an [Emissions Value] value from a cell in an Advanced Table where another cell, on the same row, has a matching value [VOC name of Formaldehyde].

Return Cell Value from Repeater Based on Value in Another Field within Repeater

The following formula returns an [Emissions Value] value from a field in a Repeater where another field, on the same repeater, has a matching value [VOC name of Formaldehyde].

Count Values Exceeding Limit in an Advanced Table

The following formula counts the number of rows in an Advanced Table where a [Emissions Value] value exceeds a limit (e.g., 10).

Count Values Exceeding Limit in a Repeater

The following formula counts the number of records in a Repeater where a [Emissions Value] value exceeds a limit (e.g., 10).

Note: Copying and pasting these formulas directly from this page to the formula builder field may result in incorrect formula definitions due to conversion issues between the toolsets. Formulas should be hand-entered in the formula builder for desired results.

Using a Script to Manually Create nFORM Lookups

The script below can be used for a one-time loading of a new lookup, populating nFORM LOOKUP and LOOKUP_VALUE tables from a source table.