Forms - Creating Fields w/Required Elements

[Traci in Portland, OR]

I am currently developing a form in Publisher 2003. I need some of the
responses on the form to be "required". For example, if a box is checked
that a person is requesting vacation, the text field below it would be where
the user would indicate his/her dates of vacation. If vacation is checked,
the text field should be required. Or, even if I could just make it so the
user must check a box for vacation vs. no vacation (even without dates), I
would be happy with that.

Any ideas, or am I not going to be able to accomplish this in Publisher?

 

[Kooster]

I didn't see any reference as to how the user acquires (gets) the form to
begin entry, i.e., from the server, by email, Web, etc. You can create a
number of automated routines using MS-Word Forms (vs. Publisher); macros can
help make this more sophisticated and ease completion. Or, you can use Forms
in Outlook to have people complete them via email, e.g., response to a poll,
or travel request form. In Publisher, you can publish forms to the Web (to
complete online). However, some of the Web controls can present new problems
if not developed correctly (i.e., FrontPage controls, etc.).

P.

 

[Traci in Portland, OR]

Thanks for helping me out...

I realized after making my initial post that I left out some key elements : )

Our medicine residents would sign on to a server on the web, complete the
form and then submit to me via email.

One of the forms we would like to provide would only require additional
information if a particular option is selected - For example: John Doe is
requesting an assignment in a physician's office that is not affiliated with
our facility. This type of assignment requires additional action from the
resident's faculty advisor whereas a rotation within our facility does not
requre this. So, John Doe chooses this "non affiliated" rotation and that
prompts a new field of required information before the resident can submit
the form. Access allows me to designate required fields, but I can't seem to
determine if any of the other MS Office programs will. I know that there are
websites that are sophisticated enough to accomplish this task, but I assume
that would require HTML intervention... Does that make sense?

I don't know a thing about Macros, but just checked out a load of books from
the Library on MS Office and HTML. This may be something I will have to
create in HTML format, I think...???

Traci

 

[Kooster]

Traci,

You can do a fair amount of Web forms and controls in MS-Word. Before you go
the Web route in HTML, et al., you may want to start with Word. This may help
you get started:
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistance/HP052418521033.aspx This can be
a great way to easily do a proof of concept.

But, if the business rules grow (in requirements), I would encourage you to
consider alternatives from the e-Forms suppliers. Adobe might be a first
place to start and consider their Adobe Forms with 'fill and route'
capability.

Lastly, consider InfoPath to make a direct connection to the source
database. Create the form in InfoPath and have it connect to the database.

P.