InfoPath Dev

I have a simple vacation approval infopath form which I am going to build workflow around. I am trying to find out if I should have the approval state dropdown (Pending, Approved, Partial Approval, Denied) on the form itself or if I should create that dropdown on the list but not on the form. Or another way to say it is should the approval process involve opening the form itself or just approve directly from the sharepoint list where the form data dumps too.

I hope that makes sense? 

Hi Big Dog and welcome!

I recommend creating an InfoPath form that is not a list form. List forms are too limited (don't handle repeating data, etc.).

Add the approval state as a field to the form and make this a promoted property (file->form options->property promotion).  That way, your ShP workflow can access it if need be.

The field itself can lookup values from a list. Just add a data connection to your approval state list and change the field to a dropdown that gets values from it.

To answer your question, you will want users open to open the form to approve it. From the form, you promote the status and your ShP workflow has conditions that check the approval state before emailing the approver/submitter.

Happy trails,

 Sorry for asking to explain more detaily.

Could you please tell me how to create the data connection the clicked button in InfoPath form action to the workflow status?

I have tried different ways, but it still doesn't work. May be I don't understand the real names of the fields in InfoPath form and in workflow in SharePoint designer to choose to be connected.

I do have a column with workflow's name in the list, where the workflow should work, but I can't use it in data connection. I can use only columns of the list, but when I set field's value to another one value, it doesn't change. (this column is drop-down list in my list)

I even could not find promoted property in the InfoPath, I thought it could have helped. (I have InfoPath 2013)