InfoPath Dev

I would like to make an InfoPath form that has a default number of items to input, and below that a user could create additional items in the same form and for the same fields in a repeating section. How can I create both non-repeating along with repeating inputs for the same field? For example, in the below screenshot in my Field view from Infopath there is clearly a section for repeating fields, but I also want to make those same fields available as non-repeating as well

I think I'd use a repeating structure like you have and just have one section that only displays the first instance, with another section that displays all but the first instance. I've attached a sample - save it locally and then right click and select design so you can take a look / preview.

Hilary Stoupa:

I think I'd use a repeating structure like you have and just have one section that only displays the first instance, with another section that displays all but the first instance. I've attached a sample - save it locally and then right click and select design so you can take a look / preview.

Thanks for the response Hilary. I checked your example, and my form is similar to yours. I am not having any problem getting the form set up to look the way I want it with a repeating section, but my question is more on the data mapping side ("Fields" section in Infopath). I can map the repeating section to repeating fields, but I want a set number of those same fields to be non-repeating (say 10, for example). Is there a way to do that? Example usage for the form would be: I have a questionnaire with 10 default questions for everyone, but additional questions can be added after those 10.

If you need to include a specific number of instances of a repeating group or field, you can do that - under the Data tab in the ribbon, find the Default Values and from there you can specify how many instances you want to include by default. - I'm having kind of a hard time understanding your question, so let me know if that is not what you are looking for, and maybe post a sample form?

Hilary Stoupa:

If you need to include a specific number of instances of a repeating group or field, you can do that - under the Data tab in the ribbon, find the Default Values and from there you can specify how many instances you want to include by default. - I'm having kind of a hard time understanding your question, so let me know if that is not what you are looking for, and maybe post a sample form?

That is exactly what I would like to do, but I followed your instructions and there is no option to "specify how many instances you want to include by default", see screenshot below of the dialog window for Default Values. It only seems to show which fields to include by default, not an initial amount of repeating fields. I will post a sample form if this still doesn't clarify my requirements.

Hadn't realized this was a SharePoint List form - not sure, but if you right click the repeating node under datafields, can you include additional instances?

I found the answer. You have to go to the dialog that Hilary mentioned, but also do these additional steps:

1. Under MyFields -> data fields, find the repeating section and click on it.

 2. There will be a downward arrow on the right. Click on it.

3. Select "Add another list item below/above" depending on where you want the default repeating item.

(USEFUL: Instead of clicking the down arrow hit the "insert" key to quickly add more default rows.)

4. Set the default text if necessary for any of the fields in the new input row.

5. Click "OK" when ready.

6. Profit. 

Example screenshot below.

Paraphrased from this article: http://blogs.msdn.com/b/infopath/archive/2006/07/12/don-t-settle-for-just-one-adding-multiple-default-rows.aspx

 

One more question though...is it possible to divide the repeating section into sub-sections so I can place label headers in between the input rows like you would a survey?