When the World Wide Web started, it was just a method for sharing information. It was the introduction of Forms in HTML 2.0 that turned it into the transformative technology we know today. Online forms give us a way to easily collect and process information without the paperwork.

Apex Forms includes tools to ensure that the information you collect complies with the formatting standards and rules you want to enforce.

Apex Forms can emulate paper forms, or can be designed from the start to be web-based.  There are some concepts associated with Apex Forms that you should be familiar with before you start designing.

Forms exist inside a Process Flow Diagram from BAW.  Forms emulate the experience of a paper form, but have a set of particular Field-Types to capture different kinds of information.  

Think about the user experience

Forms collect data.  When you're building your form, think about what it will be like to enter all of that information.  When possible, use integrations to automatically provide information you've already collected in your database.  Organize your layout so that the user enters their information in a logical way. Don't ask users for information unless you really need to collect it. Simple forms that get the job done are the most effective. Remember the golden rule of form-design: Build forms for others as you would have them built for you. 

Sections help you organize

Sections let you group Fields together and can give you alternate layout choices to provide users with a better experience.

Validation keeps your data clean and accurate

Use validation rules to make sure the information users enter is accurate. Some validation is automatic, for example, selecting a Data-Type of Integer or Decimal will prevent text from being entered. Complex and powerful validations can be built in Apex Forms, but it is impossible to protect users from every mistake, so make sure your forms are designed cleanly and with clear instructions.

Buttons are Verbs

All those Fields on your form are useless if you can't do something with the information.  You'll need to include a button on your forms to perform the Actions you want to accomplish (Save, Submit, Complete, etc...)

We're here for you

Don't forget that Apex Forms has helpful articles (like this one), support chat and product tours all built in! Let us know if you have questions.