Forms

Forms are the visual aggregation of multiple fields used for data entry and processing. The eCrowds platform allows for completely customizable forms that can be created, used, copied, and edited. Topic feedback forms, forms to request information, and even forms for constructing blog posts are some of the basic uses for forms in eCrowds. In order to set up a complete web page, you would first create a form (with it's own content type), then a content type for the page, and lastly a page in which to house these elements. Users are able to add templates and styling elements to pages as well.

Creating a new form:

1. Click on "Components" in the left navigation
2. Under "Modules," select "Forms"
3. Once in the Form interface, click "Create new form"
4. Fill in the form name, select the form's content type, format, and security policy, and fill in any relevant keyword tags.
5. Within this same interface, you can also add available fields or fieldsets.
6. For example, you may insert default options such as a "Title" field, "Blog Post" field (with What-You-Mean editor), or a "Start Date" field.
7. Click "Create form" to submit.

Editing an existing form:

1. Click on "Components" in the left navigation
2. Under "Modules," select "Forms"
3. Once in the Forms interface, navigate to the form you would like to edit, and click "Edit" under "Actions" on the far right.
4. Once in the edit window, make any changes necessary and be sure to view the form preview down below, to ensure your form appears correctly.
5. Click "Save form."

Applying/Using a Form with a Content Type:

Every Content Type in the eCrowds system is affiliated with a form. Prior to setting up a page or other item that will use a Content Type, you will also want to ensure that you have set up that Content Type with the appropriate form.

To apply a form to an existing and/or new Content Type:

1. Click on "Presentation" in the left navigation
2. Under "Modules," select "Content Types"
3. Once in the Content Types interface, click "Create new Content Type"
4. Choose a name. Each content type is required to have a name, type, and a form. The name is a an identifier so make it as descriptive as possible.
5. Choose a Content Type. The type attribute determines the assets to which the Content Type may be assigned, such as Pages, Files, or Blocks. Pages have an optional template attribute if there is a specific template to be used for that type of page (wiki pages, profile pages, etc.).
   
6. Choose a form. The form determines what information will be requested for that content type and whether or not the information will be required Choose a security policy Add optional tags.
7. Click "Create content type" to submit.

*NOTE: After creating a Content Type Name, Type, and Form, attributes are not editable. In other words, if you apply a form "New Client Registration," to Content Type "New Client Page," once the Content Type is saved, you will be unable to change the form associated with that Content Type. You can, however, change the specifications of the form "New Client Registration," and the changes there will be reflected in all items using that form's Content Type.

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