If you weren't aware, with InfoPath Forms Server or the Enterprise SKU of MOSS (Microsoft Office SharePoint Serve), you have the ability to publish forms designed in InfoPath so that they render as Web pages. This feature enables any client to access your form, whether they have InfoPath installed or not. Unfortunately this wasn't the case in the previous version - you had to have InfoPath installed on the desktop in order to make use of the forms.
Having said this, it's important to note the types of controls on an InfoPath form that can be rendered on a Web page. Some of the controls just don't work well in a Web environment or don't make any sense at all. I've summarized the controls that DO work here:
- Text Box
- Rich Text Box
- Drop-Down List Box
- List Box
- Date Picker
- Check Box
- Option Button
- Button
- Section
- Optional Section
- Repeating Section
- Repeating Table
- File Attachment
- Hyperlink
- Expression Box
Controls that DON'T work:
- Master/Detail
- Vertical Label
- Horizontal Repeating Table
- Combo Box
- Multiple-Select List Box
- Picture
- Ink Picture
- Plain List
- Bulleted List
- Choice Section
- Choice Group
- Repeating Choice Group
- Repeating Recursive Section
So, when planning your design for forms to be rended on the Web, save yourself some time and make sure you're using controls that will work! You do have the ability to verify your forms from the Design Tasks pane. To do this, follow these simple steps:
- From the Design Tasks pane, select Design Checker
- Select the Change Compability Settings... link and make sure you have the option "Design a form template that can be opened in a browser or InfoPath" selected
That's it, you should see a list of errors that require resolution before the form can be published to the Web.