Table of Contents:
Overview of Form Functionality
Forms serve as the backbone of data management and data visualization in Quickbase. With the introduction of new forms in June 2023, users are faced with the decision of transitioning from familiar old forms to the updated, new form interface. In this blog post, we'll delve into the intricacies of both traditional (old) and new forms, highlighting their unique features and benefits. Here's a breakdown of the key functionalities included in Quickbase forms:
View, Edit and Add form
When users need to view, edit, or add a record, they turn to a form tailored for each specific action.
Quickbase automatically generates three built-in forms for each new table:
View Form: For viewing a single record.
Edit Form: For editing existing records.
Add Form: For creating new records, featuring blank fields ready for user input.
Customization Options
Forms offer extensive customization capabilities, allowing users to tailor them to their unique requirements.
Users can create custom forms with precisely the fields they need, in their preferred order and format.
Different forms can be designed for various roles or user groups, i.e. managers and employees.
Advanced Formatting and Embedding
Custom forms support the addition of formatting elements such as tabs, section headings, and explanatory text.
Users can embed reports from related tables directly into forms, providing comprehensive insights within a single interface.
Dynamic Form Rules Forms can have dynamic rules that control behavior based on user actions.
For example:
Completing a checkbox may trigger the automatic population of another field or the display of additional instructions.
Lookup Fields
When you have a relationship between two tables, you have the option to include lookup fields within forms that will dynamically update the values entered in other fields based on the record being referenced. For example:
Imagine you have two tables in Quickbase: "Projects" and "Tasks." In the "Tasks" table, there's a lookup field called "Project Name" which refers to the "Projects" table.
Overview of Legacy (Old) Forms UI
While there are a number of differences between the UI of old forms and new forms, the primary differences lie primarily within two factors: Display and customization. Here's a closer look at the user interface (UI) components commonly found in legacy forms:
Display: While old forms are effective, there's a bit left to be desired as far as maximizing form space usage goes. Although well-organized, you can see that there's noticeable white space on the screen that could be utilized more efficiently.
Customization: Customizing form elements in the legacy interface requires navigating through various tabs and menus to access specific settings. Users typically start by accessing the Form Builder and manually adding form elements to a list using dropdown menus and checkboxes. They may need to toggle between different screens to adjust properties such as field labels, formatting, and behavior (see 1:06 in video above).
Overview of New Forms UI
New forms introduced a modernized UI with enhanced customization features, catering to the evolving needs of Quickbase clients. Their default interface offers a user-friendly experience for both new and experienced users.
Display: New forms in Quickbase aim to present a modern appearance while making better use of available form space. They focus on optimizing layout and design to minimize unused white space and provide a sleeker, more streamlined user experience.
Customization Options: The drag-and-drop interface offers a wide range of customization options directly accessible from the form canvas. With the new drag-and-drop interface, creating forms is intuitive and efficient. Users can simply click on the desired form element from a sidebar menu and drag it onto the form canvas. This allows for quick placement and arrangement of form elements. Users can also easily resize, reposition, and style form elements using simple mouse gestures. This allows for real-time previewing of form layouts and aesthetics (see video above).
Final Comparison and Conclusion
While the legacy forms serve their purpose well, they don't maximize the available space on the page. Users may notice significant white space on the screen, which could be utilized more efficiently to enhance the overall user experience. Customizing form elements in the legacy interface requires navigating through various tabs and menus, which is certainly learnable, but may not be the most intuitive process for users.
On the other hand, new forms in Quickbase offer a modernized UI with more intuitive customization options. The default interface of new forms aims to present a sleek and streamlined appearance while making better use of available form space. The introduction of a drag-and-drop interface has changed the game of form customization in Quickbase, allowing users to easily access and manipulate form elements directly from the canvas. This user-friendly approach to form creation enables users to quickly design and tailor forms to their specific needs, enhancing efficiency and productivity. Overall, the transition to new forms represents a significant step forward in meeting the evolving needs of Quickbase clients, offering a more user-friendly and customizable experience.
As far as which one YOU should use? Well, ultimately the choice between the two methods depends on your preferences, proficiency level, and the specific needs of the project. If you are looking for a straightforward and user-friendly experience, you may prefer the new drag-and-drop interface. But if you are a long time Quickbase user and, it's quite possible that you don't value this as much as others would. Both approaches have their merits and can be utilized effectively based on the project's requirements and the user's expertise.
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