Microsoft Office InfoPath 2003 is a new Office System application that streamlines the process of gathering, sharing, and using information by enabling teams and organizations to easily create and work with rich, dynamic forms. The information gathered can be easily reused throughout organizations and across multiple business processes because the native file format for InfoPath forms is industry-standard Extensible Markup Language (XML).
XML makes it easier for information to be reused across different documents or systems for various purposes. For example, the information gathered in an InfoPath form can be stored directly in a database, on a Web server or file share, or on a server running Windows SharePoint Services. From there, the information can be analyzed or easily reused, eliminating the need to retype it.
InfoPath provides the following features:
Unlike existing methods for gathering information, such as text documents and Web forms, using InfoPath saves time and offers more flexibility. InfoPath lets users not only format text and insert tables directly into their forms, but also lets users save forms to their computers and work offline. Because InfoPath provides the ability to work offline, users no longer have to worry about losing their information and are free to work at their own pace. InfoPath also provides users with immediate feedback on errors that occur when filling out a form, which helps to ensure the quality of the data gathered.
There are two distinct InfoPath modes in which you can work. These modes accommodate a wide range of users, from those who simply want to fill out forms, to advanced developers that want to design custom forms.
InfoPath provides several sample forms that are designed to meet various business needs. They can be filled out as is, customized to meet your specific needs, or used as examples, demonstrating how functionality can be added to forms. Developer sample forms are an advanced set of forms designed to demonstrate various development techniques for customizing and implementing InfoPath features.
InfoPath includes several tools, such as a script editor, object model, editing controls, and a clear text XML format for various form files. These tools give developers the ability to design views, add custom scripting, control the run-time behavior of a form, and integrate custom forms directly with a server or Web Service.
InfoPath can be used with other Office applications. This allows users to analyze and work with the data collected in the forms, as well as integrate the data with existing business processes. For example, InfoPath forms can be exported to Microsoft Office Excel 2003 or a Microsoft Access database can be used to populate fields on a form.
You can publish InfoPath forms directly to a Windows SharePoint Services form library, which can enable team collaboration by providing a single location for InfoPath forms to be stored and shared.