User Data Automation

[Ryan W.]

Can this be done? I need users to be able to access a secured web-browser
where they can input all of their client data into one form. Once submitted,
this data will be sent to a server database. That is the simple part.

The complicated part is that after the user submits the data to the server,
I want it to also be merged locally to specified fields in a pdf document.

A user can submit their data one time, then choose one of several onboarding
documents they would like to automatically populate. It would then be
available for them to print.

The significance of this is avoiding sending out each onboarding to each
user. The operations team gets the data immediately (once the user hits
"submit"), and the user can easily print the required forms (without
re-entering the data) to begin project implementation.

Is this possible with InfoPath 2007? If not, any suggestions? I have novice
programming skills.

 

[S.Y.M. Wong-A-Ton]

What are "onboarding documents"? And what do you mean with "merged locally to
specified fields in a pdf document"? Are you trying to populate a PDF form
with InfoPath data?

 

[Ryan W.]

What are "onboarding documents"?
We are selling a specific project. Our salesmen have to complete several
onboarding forms as well as get the client to sign customized agreements in
order for the client to purchase and begin implementation.

And what do you mean with "merged locally to

specified fields in a pdf document"?

These salesmen have to print and send these onboardings all filled with
customized data for their client. To simplify things, the salesman would
enter the clients data one time into a browser-enabled infopath form which
would merge that data into those customized onboardings and agreements. (i.e.
"Dear [clients_first_name]," would automatically become "Dear John,") The
data is MUCH more complex than my example, but the data would be linked to
the document fields. I guess it wouldn't have to be a pdf, we could use
Microsoft Word.

This all may sound absurd, but a process like this would be a HUGE relief
for our sales personel.

 

[S.Y.M. Wong-A-Ton]

Thanks for the additional info. I understand how this would be a huge benefit
to the sales force.

I do not yet have much experience with Forms Services and SSL, so cannot
answer the first part of your question.

About the automatic merging of data into documents: Yes, this is most
certainly possible. If the forms are saved back to a form library in
SharePoint, it is just a matter of identifying each form, mapping it to a
prefilled document, programmatically retrieving the form, running through the
XML of the form, replacing text in the document with the data from the
InfoPath form, and then downloading the generated document for the user to
save locally and/or print. It may sound complex, but is relatively easy to do.

Since web forms do not have support for printing to PDF, it will be much
easier to create a Word document. I've got a conversion to Word article up on
my web site, which you can take a look at to get a feel for things
(http://enterprise-solutions.swits.n...form-into-word-2007-document-xslt-c-sharp.htm).
Alternatively, you can programmatically create a PDF document from scratch
using a third-party library, but I can almost assure you that it will be more
work than the Word option. Note: All the solutions above will require strong
programming skills.

I'm in the process of writing several articles which could help you finalize
the solution, since they complement the second part of your scenario.
However, it will take at least 1 month before I'm done writing these articles
and they get published; unfortunately, I cannot give out more details until
they are published, since they won't be published on my own website.

Hope this helps.
---
S.Y.M. Wong-A-Ton

What are "onboarding documents"?

We are selling a specific project. Our salesmen have to complete several
onboarding forms as well as get the client to sign customized agreements in
order for the client to purchase and begin implementation.

And what do you mean with "merged locally to

specified fields in a pdf document"?

These salesmen have to print and send these onboardings all filled with
customized data for their client. To simplify things, the salesman would
enter the clients data one time into a browser-enabled infopath form which
would merge that data into those customized onboardings and agreements. (i.e.
"Dear [clients_first_name]," would automatically become "Dear John,") The
data is MUCH more complex than my example, but the data would be linked to
the document fields. I guess it wouldn't have to be a pdf, we could use
Microsoft Word.

This all may sound absurd, but a process like this would be a HUGE relief
for our sales personel.

What are "onboarding documents"? And what do you mean with "merged locally to
specified fields in a pdf document"? Are you trying to populate a PDF form
with InfoPath data?

 

[Ryan W.]

Much thanks. This project is still in the research and development stage, and
this is very helpful to know the capabilities of InfoPath. I just started
learning XML and XSL, I will experiment with your current article. Thank you
for your help and I look forward to reading your new article in a month or so.

Ryan W.

Thanks for the additional info. I understand how this would be a huge benefit
to the sales force.

I do not yet have much experience with Forms Services and SSL, so cannot
answer the first part of your question.

About the automatic merging of data into documents: Yes, this is most
certainly possible. If the forms are saved back to a form library in
SharePoint, it is just a matter of identifying each form, mapping it to a
prefilled document, programmatically retrieving the form, running through the
XML of the form, replacing text in the document with the data from the
InfoPath form, and then downloading the generated document for the user to
save locally and/or print. It may sound complex, but is relatively easy to do.

Since web forms do not have support for printing to PDF, it will be much
easier to create a Word document. I've got a conversion to Word article up on
my web site, which you can take a look at to get a feel for things
(http://enterprise-solutions.swits.n...form-into-word-2007-document-xslt-c-sharp.htm).
Alternatively, you can programmatically create a PDF document from scratch
using a third-party library, but I can almost assure you that it will be more
work than the Word option. Note: All the solutions above will require strong
programming skills.

I'm in the process of writing several articles which could help you finalize
the solution, since they complement the second part of your scenario.
However, it will take at least 1 month before I'm done writing these articles
and they get published; unfortunately, I cannot give out more details until
they are published, since they won't be published on my own website.

Hope this helps.
---
S.Y.M. Wong-A-Ton

What are "onboarding documents"?

We are selling a specific project. Our salesmen have to complete several
onboarding forms as well as get the client to sign customized agreements in
order for the client to purchase and begin implementation.

And what do you mean with "merged locally to

specified fields in a pdf document"?

These salesmen have to print and send these onboardings all filled with
customized data for their client. To simplify things, the salesman would
enter the clients data one time into a browser-enabled infopath form which
would merge that data into those customized onboardings and agreements. (i.e.
"Dear [clients_first_name]," would automatically become "Dear John,") The
data is MUCH more complex than my example, but the data would be linked to
the document fields. I guess it wouldn't have to be a pdf, we could use
Microsoft Word.

This all may sound absurd, but a process like this would be a HUGE relief
for our sales personel.

What are "onboarding documents"? And what do you mean with "merged locally to
specified fields in a pdf document"? Are you trying to populate a PDF form
with InfoPath data?
---
S.Y.M. Wong-A-Ton


:

Can this be done? I need users to be able to access a secured web-browser
where they can input all of their client data into one form. Once submitted,
this data will be sent to a server database. That is the simple part.

The complicated part is that after the user submits the data to the server,
I want it to also be merged locally to specified fields in a pdf document.

A user can submit their data one time, then choose one of several onboarding
documents they would like to automatically populate. It would then be
available for them to print.

The significance of this is avoiding sending out each onboarding to each
user. The operations team gets the data immediately (once the user hits
"submit"), and the user can easily print the required forms (without
re-entering the data) to begin project implementation.

Is this possible with InfoPath 2007? If not, any suggestions? I have novice
programming skills.

 

[S.Y.M. Wong-A-Ton]

No worries. I'll put the links to the articles up on my website as soon as
they get published.
---
S.Y.M. Wong-A-Ton

Much thanks. This project is still in the research and development stage, and
this is very helpful to know the capabilities of InfoPath. I just started
learning XML and XSL, I will experiment with your current article. Thank you
for your help and I look forward to reading your new article in a month or so.

Ryan W.

Thanks for the additional info. I understand how this would be a huge benefit
to the sales force.

I do not yet have much experience with Forms Services and SSL, so cannot
answer the first part of your question.

About the automatic merging of data into documents: Yes, this is most
certainly possible. If the forms are saved back to a form library in
SharePoint, it is just a matter of identifying each form, mapping it to a
prefilled document, programmatically retrieving the form, running through the
XML of the form, replacing text in the document with the data from the
InfoPath form, and then downloading the generated document for the user to
save locally and/or print. It may sound complex, but is relatively easy to do.

Since web forms do not have support for printing to PDF, it will be much
easier to create a Word document. I've got a conversion to Word article up on
my web site, which you can take a look at to get a feel for things
(http://enterprise-solutions.swits.n...form-into-word-2007-document-xslt-c-sharp.htm).
Alternatively, you can programmatically create a PDF document from scratch
using a third-party library, but I can almost assure you that it will be more
work than the Word option. Note: All the solutions above will require strong
programming skills.

I'm in the process of writing several articles which could help you finalize
the solution, since they complement the second part of your scenario.
However, it will take at least 1 month before I'm done writing these articles
and they get published; unfortunately, I cannot give out more details until
they are published, since they won't be published on my own website.

Hope this helps.
---
S.Y.M. Wong-A-Ton

What are "onboarding documents"?
We are selling a specific project. Our salesmen have to complete several
onboarding forms as well as get the client to sign customized agreements in
order for the client to purchase and begin implementation.

And what do you mean with "merged locally to
specified fields in a pdf document"?
These salesmen have to print and send these onboardings all filled with
customized data for their client. To simplify things, the salesman would
enter the clients data one time into a browser-enabled infopath form which
would merge that data into those customized onboardings and agreements. (i.e.
"Dear [clients_first_name]," would automatically become "Dear John,") The
data is MUCH more complex than my example, but the data would be linked to
the document fields. I guess it wouldn't have to be a pdf, we could use
Microsoft Word.

This all may sound absurd, but a process like this would be a HUGE relief
for our sales personel.


:

What are "onboarding documents"? And what do you mean with "merged locally to
specified fields in a pdf document"? Are you trying to populate a PDF form
with InfoPath data?
---
S.Y.M. Wong-A-Ton


:

Can this be done? I need users to be able to access a secured web-browser
where they can input all of their client data into one form. Once submitted,
this data will be sent to a server database. That is the simple part.

The complicated part is that after the user submits the data to the server,
I want it to also be merged locally to specified fields in a pdf document.

A user can submit their data one time, then choose one of several onboarding
documents they would like to automatically populate. It would then be
available for them to print.

The significance of this is avoiding sending out each onboarding to each
user. The operations team gets the data immediately (once the user hits
"submit"), and the user can easily print the required forms (without
re-entering the data) to begin project implementation.

Is this possible with InfoPath 2007? If not, any suggestions? I have novice
programming skills.

 

[Martin]

This is great information. What application or program (code) would you use
to extract the data.

Much thanks. This project is still in the research and development stage, and
this is very helpful to know the capabilities of InfoPath. I just started
learning XML and XSL, I will experiment with your current article. Thank you
for your help and I look forward to reading your new article in a month or so.

Ryan W.

Thanks for the additional info. I understand how this would be a huge benefit
to the sales force.

I do not yet have much experience with Forms Services and SSL, so cannot
answer the first part of your question.

About the automatic merging of data into documents: Yes, this is most
certainly possible. If the forms are saved back to a form library in
SharePoint, it is just a matter of identifying each form, mapping it to a
prefilled document, programmatically retrieving the form, running through the
XML of the form, replacing text in the document with the data from the
InfoPath form, and then downloading the generated document for the user to
save locally and/or print. It may sound complex, but is relatively easy to do.

Since web forms do not have support for printing to PDF, it will be much
easier to create a Word document. I've got a conversion to Word article up on
my web site, which you can take a look at to get a feel for things
(http://enterprise-solutions.swits.n...form-into-word-2007-document-xslt-c-sharp.htm).
Alternatively, you can programmatically create a PDF document from scratch
using a third-party library, but I can almost assure you that it will be more
work than the Word option. Note: All the solutions above will require strong
programming skills.

I'm in the process of writing several articles which could help you finalize
the solution, since they complement the second part of your scenario.
However, it will take at least 1 month before I'm done writing these articles
and they get published; unfortunately, I cannot give out more details until
they are published, since they won't be published on my own website.

Hope this helps.
---
S.Y.M. Wong-A-Ton

What are "onboarding documents"?
We are selling a specific project. Our salesmen have to complete several
onboarding forms as well as get the client to sign customized agreements in
order for the client to purchase and begin implementation.

And what do you mean with "merged locally to
specified fields in a pdf document"?
These salesmen have to print and send these onboardings all filled with
customized data for their client. To simplify things, the salesman would
enter the clients data one time into a browser-enabled infopath form which
would merge that data into those customized onboardings and agreements. (i.e.
"Dear [clients_first_name]," would automatically become "Dear John,") The
data is MUCH more complex than my example, but the data would be linked to
the document fields. I guess it wouldn't have to be a pdf, we could use
Microsoft Word.

This all may sound absurd, but a process like this would be a HUGE relief
for our sales personel.


:

What are "onboarding documents"? And what do you mean with "merged locally to
specified fields in a pdf document"? Are you trying to populate a PDF form
with InfoPath data?
---
S.Y.M. Wong-A-Ton


:

Can this be done? I need users to be able to access a secured web-browser
where they can input all of their client data into one form. Once submitted,
this data will be sent to a server database. That is the simple part.

The complicated part is that after the user submits the data to the server,
I want it to also be merged locally to specified fields in a pdf document.

A user can submit their data one time, then choose one of several onboarding
documents they would like to automatically populate. It would then be
available for them to print.

The significance of this is avoiding sending out each onboarding to each
user. The operations team gets the data immediately (once the user hits
"submit"), and the user can easily print the required forms (without
re-entering the data) to begin project implementation.

Is this possible with InfoPath 2007? If not, any suggestions? I have novice
programming skills.

 

[Ryan W.]

S.Y.M.,

I am trying to follow your article. I downloaded a 180 day Visual Studio
2005 trial to use. I am having problems trying to create an InfoPath C#
project (myschema.xsd). When I select New Project, Visual C#, then Office, it
does not have the option for InfoPath (just Excel, Outlook and Word). Do I
have the correct Visual version?
My InfoPath is also a trial version. Does that make a difference?
I also tried creating the form first in InfoPath, then opening it in Visual
Studio, but that does not work.
Any ideas why this doesn't work, or can you detail the steps for Visual
Studio? Thanks!

Ryan W.

No worries. I'll put the links to the articles up on my website as soon as
they get published.
---
S.Y.M. Wong-A-Ton

Much thanks. This project is still in the research and development stage, and
this is very helpful to know the capabilities of InfoPath. I just started
learning XML and XSL, I will experiment with your current article. Thank you
for your help and I look forward to reading your new article in a month or so.

Ryan W.

Thanks for the additional info. I understand how this would be a huge benefit
to the sales force.

I do not yet have much experience with Forms Services and SSL, so cannot
answer the first part of your question.

About the automatic merging of data into documents: Yes, this is most
certainly possible. If the forms are saved back to a form library in
SharePoint, it is just a matter of identifying each form, mapping it to a
prefilled document, programmatically retrieving the form, running through the
XML of the form, replacing text in the document with the data from the
InfoPath form, and then downloading the generated document for the user to
save locally and/or print. It may sound complex, but is relatively easy to do.

Since web forms do not have support for printing to PDF, it will be much
easier to create a Word document. I've got a conversion to Word article up on
my web site, which you can take a look at to get a feel for things
(http://enterprise-solutions.swits.n...form-into-word-2007-document-xslt-c-sharp.htm).
Alternatively, you can programmatically create a PDF document from scratch
using a third-party library, but I can almost assure you that it will be more
work than the Word option. Note: All the solutions above will require strong
programming skills.

I'm in the process of writing several articles which could help you finalize
the solution, since they complement the second part of your scenario.
However, it will take at least 1 month before I'm done writing these articles
and they get published; unfortunately, I cannot give out more details until
they are published, since they won't be published on my own website.

Hope this helps.
---
S.Y.M. Wong-A-Ton


:

What are "onboarding documents"?
We are selling a specific project. Our salesmen have to complete several
onboarding forms as well as get the client to sign customized agreements in
order for the client to purchase and begin implementation.

And what do you mean with "merged locally to
specified fields in a pdf document"?
These salesmen have to print and send these onboardings all filled with
customized data for their client. To simplify things, the salesman would
enter the clients data one time into a browser-enabled infopath form which
would merge that data into those customized onboardings and agreements. (i.e.
"Dear [clients_first_name]," would automatically become "Dear John,") The
data is MUCH more complex than my example, but the data would be linked to
the document fields. I guess it wouldn't have to be a pdf, we could use
Microsoft Word.

This all may sound absurd, but a process like this would be a HUGE relief
for our sales personel.


:

What are "onboarding documents"? And what do you mean with "merged locally to
specified fields in a pdf document"? Are you trying to populate a PDF form
with InfoPath data?
---
S.Y.M. Wong-A-Ton


:

Can this be done? I need users to be able to access a secured web-browser
where they can input all of their client data into one form. Once submitted,
this data will be sent to a server database. That is the simple part.

The complicated part is that after the user submits the data to the server,
I want it to also be merged locally to specified fields in a pdf document.

A user can submit their data one time, then choose one of several onboarding
documents they would like to automatically populate. It would then be
available for them to print.

The significance of this is avoiding sending out each onboarding to each
user. The operations team gets the data immediately (once the user hits
"submit"), and the user can easily print the required forms (without
re-entering the data) to begin project implementation.

Is this possible with InfoPath 2007? If not, any suggestions? I have novice
programming skills.

 

[S.Y.M. Wong-A-Ton]

Have you also installed the Visual Studio 2005 Tools for 2007 Office
System(http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...-6fd6-4955-b979-e1676db6b3cb&DisplayLang=en)?
You need it to get the InfoPath project template in Visual Studio.

Alternatively, you should be able to develop without Visual Studio by
installing and making use of VSTA which comes with InfoPath 2007.

Unfortunately, I do not know much about how the trial products work and what
you can or cannot do with them, since I've never really used them.
---
S.Y.M. Wong-A-Ton

S.Y.M.,

I am trying to follow your article. I downloaded a 180 day Visual Studio
2005 trial to use. I am having problems trying to create an InfoPath C#
project (myschema.xsd). When I select New Project, Visual C#, then Office, it
does not have the option for InfoPath (just Excel, Outlook and Word). Do I
have the correct Visual version?
My InfoPath is also a trial version. Does that make a difference?
I also tried creating the form first in InfoPath, then opening it in Visual
Studio, but that does not work.
Any ideas why this doesn't work, or can you detail the steps for Visual
Studio? Thanks!

Ryan W.

No worries. I'll put the links to the articles up on my website as soon as
they get published.
---
S.Y.M. Wong-A-Ton

Much thanks. This project is still in the research and development stage, and
this is very helpful to know the capabilities of InfoPath. I just started
learning XML and XSL, I will experiment with your current article. Thank you
for your help and I look forward to reading your new article in a month or so.

Ryan W.

:

Thanks for the additional info. I understand how this would be a huge benefit
to the sales force.

I do not yet have much experience with Forms Services and SSL, so cannot
answer the first part of your question.

About the automatic merging of data into documents: Yes, this is most
certainly possible. If the forms are saved back to a form library in
SharePoint, it is just a matter of identifying each form, mapping it to a
prefilled document, programmatically retrieving the form, running through the
XML of the form, replacing text in the document with the data from the
InfoPath form, and then downloading the generated document for the user to
save locally and/or print. It may sound complex, but is relatively easy to do.

Since web forms do not have support for printing to PDF, it will be much
easier to create a Word document. I've got a conversion to Word article up on
my web site, which you can take a look at to get a feel for things
(http://enterprise-solutions.swits.n...form-into-word-2007-document-xslt-c-sharp.htm).
Alternatively, you can programmatically create a PDF document from scratch
using a third-party library, but I can almost assure you that it will be more
work than the Word option. Note: All the solutions above will require strong
programming skills.

I'm in the process of writing several articles which could help you finalize
the solution, since they complement the second part of your scenario.
However, it will take at least 1 month before I'm done writing these articles
and they get published; unfortunately, I cannot give out more details until
they are published, since they won't be published on my own website.

Hope this helps.
---
S.Y.M. Wong-A-Ton


:

What are "onboarding documents"?
We are selling a specific project. Our salesmen have to complete several
onboarding forms as well as get the client to sign customized agreements in
order for the client to purchase and begin implementation.

And what do you mean with "merged locally to
specified fields in a pdf document"?
These salesmen have to print and send these onboardings all filled with
customized data for their client. To simplify things, the salesman would
enter the clients data one time into a browser-enabled infopath form which
would merge that data into those customized onboardings and agreements. (i.e.
"Dear [clients_first_name]," would automatically become "Dear John,") The
data is MUCH more complex than my example, but the data would be linked to
the document fields. I guess it wouldn't have to be a pdf, we could use
Microsoft Word.

This all may sound absurd, but a process like this would be a HUGE relief
for our sales personel.


:

What are "onboarding documents"? And what do you mean with "merged locally to
specified fields in a pdf document"? Are you trying to populate a PDF form
with InfoPath data?
---
S.Y.M. Wong-A-Ton


:

Can this be done? I need users to be able to access a secured web-browser
where they can input all of their client data into one form. Once submitted,
this data will be sent to a server database. That is the simple part.

The complicated part is that after the user submits the data to the server,
I want it to also be merged locally to specified fields in a pdf document.

A user can submit their data one time, then choose one of several onboarding
documents they would like to automatically populate. It would then be
available for them to print.

The significance of this is avoiding sending out each onboarding to each
user. The operations team gets the data immediately (once the user hits
"submit"), and the user can easily print the required forms (without
re-entering the data) to begin project implementation.

Is this possible with InfoPath 2007? If not, any suggestions? I have novice
programming skills.

 

[S.Y.M. Wong-A-Ton]

Were you responding to Ryan's post or mine? In any case, like I've stated
previously, I cannot give out any details before publication; you'll have to
wait and read the article(s).
---
S.Y.M. Wong-A-Ton

This is great information. What application or program (code) would you use
to extract the data.

Much thanks. This project is still in the research and development stage, and
this is very helpful to know the capabilities of InfoPath. I just started
learning XML and XSL, I will experiment with your current article. Thank you
for your help and I look forward to reading your new article in a month or so.

Ryan W.

Thanks for the additional info. I understand how this would be a huge benefit
to the sales force.

I do not yet have much experience with Forms Services and SSL, so cannot
answer the first part of your question.

About the automatic merging of data into documents: Yes, this is most
certainly possible. If the forms are saved back to a form library in
SharePoint, it is just a matter of identifying each form, mapping it to a
prefilled document, programmatically retrieving the form, running through the
XML of the form, replacing text in the document with the data from the
InfoPath form, and then downloading the generated document for the user to
save locally and/or print. It may sound complex, but is relatively easy to do.

Since web forms do not have support for printing to PDF, it will be much
easier to create a Word document. I've got a conversion to Word article up on
my web site, which you can take a look at to get a feel for things
(http://enterprise-solutions.swits.n...form-into-word-2007-document-xslt-c-sharp.htm).
Alternatively, you can programmatically create a PDF document from scratch
using a third-party library, but I can almost assure you that it will be more
work than the Word option. Note: All the solutions above will require strong
programming skills.

I'm in the process of writing several articles which could help you finalize
the solution, since they complement the second part of your scenario.
However, it will take at least 1 month before I'm done writing these articles
and they get published; unfortunately, I cannot give out more details until
they are published, since they won't be published on my own website.

Hope this helps.
---
S.Y.M. Wong-A-Ton


:

What are "onboarding documents"?
We are selling a specific project. Our salesmen have to complete several
onboarding forms as well as get the client to sign customized agreements in
order for the client to purchase and begin implementation.

And what do you mean with "merged locally to
specified fields in a pdf document"?
These salesmen have to print and send these onboardings all filled with
customized data for their client. To simplify things, the salesman would
enter the clients data one time into a browser-enabled infopath form which
would merge that data into those customized onboardings and agreements. (i.e.
"Dear [clients_first_name]," would automatically become "Dear John,") The
data is MUCH more complex than my example, but the data would be linked to
the document fields. I guess it wouldn't have to be a pdf, we could use
Microsoft Word.

This all may sound absurd, but a process like this would be a HUGE relief
for our sales personel.


:

What are "onboarding documents"? And what do you mean with "merged locally to
specified fields in a pdf document"? Are you trying to populate a PDF form
with InfoPath data?
---
S.Y.M. Wong-A-Ton


:

Can this be done? I need users to be able to access a secured web-browser
where they can input all of their client data into one form. Once submitted,
this data will be sent to a server database. That is the simple part.

The complicated part is that after the user submits the data to the server,
I want it to also be merged locally to specified fields in a pdf document.

A user can submit their data one time, then choose one of several onboarding
documents they would like to automatically populate. It would then be
available for them to print.

The significance of this is avoiding sending out each onboarding to each
user. The operations team gets the data immediately (once the user hits
"submit"), and the user can easily print the required forms (without
re-entering the data) to begin project implementation.

Is this possible with InfoPath 2007? If not, any suggestions? I have novice
programming skills.

 

[S.Y.M. Wong-A-Ton]

Hi Ryan,

The article I was referring to has been posted here:
http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb944807.aspx

You can also take a look at this one if you're interested in offering the
functionality via a web-based form:
http://aspalliance.com/1466_Printing_InfoPath_2007_WebBased_Forms_to_PDF.all
---
S.Y.M. Wong-A-Ton

Much thanks. This project is still in the research and development stage, and
this is very helpful to know the capabilities of InfoPath. I just started
learning XML and XSL, I will experiment with your current article. Thank you
for your help and I look forward to reading your new article in a month or so.

Ryan W.

Thanks for the additional info. I understand how this would be a huge benefit
to the sales force.

I do not yet have much experience with Forms Services and SSL, so cannot
answer the first part of your question.

About the automatic merging of data into documents: Yes, this is most
certainly possible. If the forms are saved back to a form library in
SharePoint, it is just a matter of identifying each form, mapping it to a
prefilled document, programmatically retrieving the form, running through the
XML of the form, replacing text in the document with the data from the
InfoPath form, and then downloading the generated document for the user to
save locally and/or print. It may sound complex, but is relatively easy to do.

Since web forms do not have support for printing to PDF, it will be much
easier to create a Word document. I've got a conversion to Word article up on
my web site, which you can take a look at to get a feel for things
(http://enterprise-solutions.swits.n...form-into-word-2007-document-xslt-c-sharp.htm).
Alternatively, you can programmatically create a PDF document from scratch
using a third-party library, but I can almost assure you that it will be more
work than the Word option. Note: All the solutions above will require strong
programming skills.

I'm in the process of writing several articles which could help you finalize
the solution, since they complement the second part of your scenario.
However, it will take at least 1 month before I'm done writing these articles
and they get published; unfortunately, I cannot give out more details until
they are published, since they won't be published on my own website.

Hope this helps.
---
S.Y.M. Wong-A-Ton

What are "onboarding documents"?
We are selling a specific project. Our salesmen have to complete several
onboarding forms as well as get the client to sign customized agreements in
order for the client to purchase and begin implementation.

And what do you mean with "merged locally to
specified fields in a pdf document"?
These salesmen have to print and send these onboardings all filled with
customized data for their client. To simplify things, the salesman would
enter the clients data one time into a browser-enabled infopath form which
would merge that data into those customized onboardings and agreements. (i.e.
"Dear [clients_first_name]," would automatically become "Dear John,") The
data is MUCH more complex than my example, but the data would be linked to
the document fields. I guess it wouldn't have to be a pdf, we could use
Microsoft Word.

This all may sound absurd, but a process like this would be a HUGE relief
for our sales personel.


:

What are "onboarding documents"? And what do you mean with "merged locally to
specified fields in a pdf document"? Are you trying to populate a PDF form
with InfoPath data?
---
S.Y.M. Wong-A-Ton


:

Can this be done? I need users to be able to access a secured web-browser
where they can input all of their client data into one form. Once submitted,
this data will be sent to a server database. That is the simple part.

The complicated part is that after the user submits the data to the server,
I want it to also be merged locally to specified fields in a pdf document.

A user can submit their data one time, then choose one of several onboarding
documents they would like to automatically populate. It would then be
available for them to print.

The significance of this is avoiding sending out each onboarding to each
user. The operations team gets the data immediately (once the user hits
"submit"), and the user can easily print the required forms (without
re-entering the data) to begin project implementation.

Is this possible with InfoPath 2007? If not, any suggestions? I have novice
programming skills.