Newbie Questions

Re: Optional Section

ErnestoM — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 12:53:55 GMT

Hi Debi,

At first InfoPath can be tricky. You want to select controls from the taskpane and add them to the canvas. But as you expand your knowledge you might find that it's easier to design the data source first, and then design the canvas. So, for example, if you know you're going to want some fields in an optional section, then you can create a group in the data source, and create the fields as part of that group. In the data source, then you can:

1. Put the cursor in the canvas in the position where you want to insert.

2. Right click the node in the data source and select the control you wish to use for this node.

Obviously, not everyone works in InfoPath like this, but at least for me it's easier to plan/organize the data source first, and then "translate" that into the canvas. Good luck!

Re: Optional Section

DebiScott — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 21:21:56 GMT

Thank you Ernesto, my problem was that I did not understand binding the section to a field - really new at this.

I ended up picking a field that already existed and changing the binding to that field and that seems to have solved it.

As a practice should I be creating a new field to bid the section to or just picking one that already exists.

Thanks agian for taking the time.

Debi

Re: Optional Section

ErnestoM — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 21:05:45 GMT

It sounds like the fields have become unbounded (unlinked) from the section. This often happens with repeating data. Maybe you could attach your form? (you can do this via the Options tab when you reply)

I'm attaching a sample form myself and perhaps that helps. As you'll see, I have an optional section that contains a field and is not shown on load. Is this what you're trying to accomplish?

Optional Section

DebiScott — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 15:47:55 GMT

Ok, so I have a form and I want one of the areas of the form to be "optional" (hidden upon load). When I add a section control to the form and add fields to it and use the section properties to "not include the section in the form by default" the other fields in my form get the blue "i" and say "control bound is missing field or group".

Very new to this - talk slow :)