A Rookie question about InfoPath

[Akinja Richards]

I am just starting to learn how to use InfoPath 2003. I know I can export to
an Excel file. Can I also export to a MS SQL Database? Do I need to enable
XML support if so?

Thanks
Akinja

 

[Patrick Halstead [InfoPath MVP]]

Hi Akinja,
I know of no way to easily do this from an existing form. In fact, we
developed our Database Accelerator to allow people to do just what you are
trying to do. Check it out at
http://www.infopathdev.com/downloads/free/default.aspx.
Cheers,
Patrick
http://www.autonomysystems.com/

 

[Scott L. Heim [MSFT]]

Hi Akinja,

Can you provide some additional information as to what you are trying to
accomplish? The reason I ask is that you can easily create a form from an
existing SQL Server database without enabling anything additional on SQL
Server. In doing so, you will have the ability to retrieve and update
records. The only thing you would not have is the entire InfoPath XML form
being stored in SQL Server.

However, if this is what you need many customers are using this type of
scenario: they create their InfoPath solution from SQL Server and then
enable the form to submit to both SQL Server and Windows Sharepoint. This
way, they get the raw data stored in SQL Server (for easy reporting
purposes) and still have the entire XML form stored as well.

Let me know if this helps!

Best Regards,

Scott L. Heim
Microsoft Developer Support

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

 

[Akinja Richards]

Thanks All

Here is my senerio. While researching MS Reporting Server (which I will
begin implementing in a few weeks) and how to tie it into SharePoint
Services, I ran across information on InfoPath. We have this product but no
one here knows anything about it. From what I have gathered I can create
forms and tie it into a Sharepoint library. I also just ran across that the
info can be stored in a MS SQL DB.

My short term goal is to implement this as a way for developer to request db
changes, promotions, and any other db type work. I have created a small db
that I had plan to use as a way to document my db enviornment and layouts (if
I can every figure out how to load Visio drawings.) I began working on a
Access or VB.NET front end but see InfoPath may fit all of my needs. I just
need to know if I can use it to store and retrieve information through it or
do I have to develop or purchase something else.

I.E. A developer wants me to promote a new stored proc from development to
production. I presently update an Excel spread sheet which is tied to my SQL
DB.

I want to begin promoting this product throughout the company but I must
first getting it working for me.

I hope that helps with your question. (Sorry for the long way to a short
answer).

 

[Scott L. Heim [MSFT]]

Hi Akinja,

Let's start with the following information to provide you with a greater
overview of InfoPath and its extensive capabilities. After reviewing this
information and begin working with the product, if you run into specific
issues don't hesitate to post your questions!

InfoPath Training
http://msdn.microsoft.com/office/understanding/infopath/toolsandcode/default
.aspx?pull=/library/en-us/odc_2003_ta/html/odc_landinfo03_tr.asp

A beginner's guide to forms and form templates
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistance/HA011559631033.aspx

Microsoft InfoPath 2003 Decision Tree: Comparing InfoPath Forms to Other
Microsoft Solutions
http://msdn.microsoft.com/office/understanding/infopath/techarticles/default
.aspx?pull=/library/en-us/odc_ip2003_ta/html/odc_ipinfopathdecisiontree.as

InfoPath BLOG Site
http://blogs.msdn.com/infopath/

InfoPath Developer Site
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/dnanchor/ht
ml/odc_ancinfo.asp

InfoPath FAQ
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/office/office2003/plan/inpthfaq
.mspx

InfoPath SDK
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=351F0616-93AA-4FE8-
9238-D702F1BFBAB4&displaylang=en

InfoPath Technical FAQ
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/office/office2003/plan/inpthfaq
.mspx#ECBAA

InfoPath Toolkit for VS.NET
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=7e9ebc57-e115-4cac-
9986-a712e22879bb&DisplayLang=en

Understanding Fully Trusted Forms
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/ipsdk/html/
ipsdkUnderstandingFullyTrustedForms.asp

Using the Form Registration Tool
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/ipsdk/html/
ipsdkUsingTheFormRegistrationTool.asp

I hope this helps!

Best regards,

Scott L. Heim
Microsoft Developer Support

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

 

[Akinja Richards]

Thanks for all the help. I believe this will work for us.

 

[JimJ]

I got InfoPath to work with SQL Server (like the guidance at the following
website URL titled: "How-to guide: Connecting an InfoPath form to an Access
database":
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/infopath/HA011199501033.aspx?pid=CH011097411033

However, I can't figure out how to also save other data like attachments.

Before starting to use SQL Server for the primary data connection for
submitting we first got an InfoPath form to save on Sharepoint with
attachments and digital signatures (and use Sharepoint workflow), but now I
started a new InfoPath form (i.e., "New from Data Connection") and that
worked great, but now my submit goes to the SQL Server.

 

[mimf]

Thank you so much for posting all of this. I am also a newbie and will look
up many of these.

Cynthia