InfoPath Dev

I apologize if this was asked and answered previously as I was not able to find what I was looking for. I need to create an environment where the end user is not able to access the sharepoint list. To do this, I am using a blank web part page to connect to an infopath form. What I would like to do is have the default view either have a drop down list box or a search box to act as a record selector for the sharepoint list as the main use for this form will be to edit data in the sharepoint list. I would like to have another view so they could add a new item to the sharepoint list and enter the necessary data for the new entry. Since I have been having difficulty accomplishing this task, I thought I would ask here to see if this is even possible with infopath and if so, how.

I love your user name - laughed out loud when I approved the account. One issue I see right off is that you don't want the end user to have access to the list - but the user will have to have permissions to the list to be able to add / edit items. Or do you just mean that you don't have an obvious link any where for the user to click to open the list? If so - you should be able to do the lookup / edit piece in a list form. You can use the query fields in the main data source to query for the item the user wishes to edit, then submit the changes back to the list. However, I don't think that once an item has been queried for in a form it is possible to "reset" it so that it will allow you to submit a new item. I just tested this and didn't have any luck. So - I haven't done much with web parts, but I wonder if you can show / hide them? Maybe if the user wants to add a new item, they click a button on the web part page and get a version of the form w/out the search function, or something?

Thanks for your quick reply. I must admit, I was having a chuckle when I registered with that name as well. As far as the end user not having direct access to the list, I was aware of them needing permissions to the list as I have completed a similar project with this arrangement. However, this project has slightly different requirements and the intended end users aren’t very tech savvy so management requested they not have direct access to the list. They only need to update/edit fields and occasionally add an item. The sharepoint list itself is not expected to increase in size dramatically and is currently under 50 records. I have tried a solution where I create a rule for the main drop down that would be used to populate other fields but I have found that doesn’t edit the record but rather adds a new record instead. What the intended end result would be is they would have the default view be the search and edit screen, then they will click a button and go to a new view where the layout is almost identical with the exception of the search capability. From there they would add a new item.

So - if you set the query field for the record you want, then query the main data source of the list form, you'll get back the record and can edit it. Your dropdown could be bound to the query ID field (you may have to put the data source task pane into advanced mode to see that) and have the list item ID for the value, and the title (or whatever makes sense) for the display. On change of the query field, execute the main data connection query. User can edit and resubmit. But, as I mentioned, I can't find a way to reset a form to "New" behavior after a query for an item has been run, so I'm not sure if the "switch to a different view to create a new item" feature is possible. I don't think it is.

I would agree with your assessment. I have decided to go the path of least resistance. I convinced management to let me train the users on basic sharepoint functionalities. I also still went with using an infopath form to let them update and add new items with the same form using the integrated sharepoint functions. Everyone is happy. I really appreciate you taking the time out to find a solution for this. Thank you very much.

Glad that it all worked out in the end - have a great weekend!