Browser Detection

[SethMW]

Are there any methods of browser detection available in InfoPath?

A client just asked me about this, and I can't think of how it would be
possible, but it got me thinking a bit. So, I just thought I'd ask...

Thanks,
Seth

 

[S.Y.M. Wong-A-Ton]

What is the scenario that your client has in mind for wanting to know what
browser is being used?

 

[SethMW]

We have a browser based form that requires a digital signature, which in turn
requires IE. The client just inquired as to whether or not they could detect
the browser, and display a message, etc., so the user didn't fill the whole
thing out in some other browser.

~Seth

 

[S.Y.M. Wong-A-Ton]

I'm not sure whether you can get to the Request object from within an
InfoPath form template (I've never tried it), but if that is not possible,
you can always host your form template in a custom ASP.NET page and get to
the Request object from there. The Request object has a property called
Browser with which you can query the properties, version, and type of the
browser being used. So you can retrieve this information and pass it onto the
form template if required.

To host your form template in a custom ASP.NET page, see
http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa701078.aspx
To show a pop-up message from a browser form, see
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555990

You can also show/hide a section that contains messages using conditional
formatting instead of showing pop-ups.