Creating an Online Contact Form (ploud6)

Created by Kim Thiel, Modified on Tue, 27 Aug at 4:01 PM by Kim Thiel

There is a new product being introduced that is taking the place of PloneFormGen called EasyForm

Online forms are made up of several "objects" (fields) that are all contained in a special folder that holds all the fields that make up that form.

When that folder is viewed, it will display all the objects in the folder on a page that allows your site visitors to fill in the form fields and submit the form.

This solutions article steps through an example to create a simple "Contact-Us" form. Follow these instructions to first define the default setting and form action. Secondly, create the form fields to capture information from your site visitors.

1.)Create a form folder

Add or select a current folder you want to place the form

To add the form from the menu on the left select ‘Add New' then scroll down and select ‘Form’

b.) Next, fill out the form's default settings which sets some of the basic functions of the form and creates the folder which will contain these objects (making up the fields that will display on the form when called):

The following fields do not need to be used but offer the chance to have text before and after the form input fields. This can be used for instructions as an example.

2.) After completing the tilte and any other information you wish to add select Save

3.) To add input fields to your form for users to enter into select from the left menu Actions > Define form fields

4.) You will now see the default fields or the fields you have a; already defined if you are editing the form.

5.) Select Setting to define the title and other factors for the form field.

6.) After filling out the field parameters select Save .

7.) You can delete a field by selecting the X

8.) To add a new field select Add new fieldset (a grouping of fields) or Add new field

Title - The name of the field

Short-name - this field is used by programmers and can be left as is when it is filled out automatically

Help text - any instructions needed for this indiviual field

Field Type - what input will go into this field there are many options

when you have defined the field to add it to the form select Add

When you have added all the fields you want on the form select Save

Now you need to define the actions of the form in most cases that will be to send the form in an email to the library

1.) From the menu on the left select Actions > Define form actions

The mailer action allows you to set up where the form will email submitted forms.

2.) Select Settings

Recipient's full name - The name of the person or library receiving the email

Recipient's e-mail address -to the email address the submitted form is sending to

Make sure to save it when you are finished.