Infopath Sequential Form Numbering

[JABarrett]

While reading through the Infopath forum for information about
incremental numbering a form I found suggestions of creating an external
file and linking in to that for the sequential numbers. I am fairly new to
infopath but am creating a requisitional form for the company I'm working for
and they have
requested to have a number that automatically increases based on the
existing saved request files. How would I go about linking in to an external
file that would store a three digit file number to be automatically updated
when the save button on my form is clicked? On the form I have created a
'Save' button that automatically saves the file in the correct folder for the
users based on the information inputted on the form, I would like it so that
it would update the incremental number file only
when the save is processed. I hope someone can be of help with this request.

 

[Andrew Watt [MVP - InfoPath]]

Hi,

This is a much more complex problem to solve neatly than it first
appears. For simple always connected scenarios it's reasonably
straightforward. But the general case is tougher.

In part the problems are due to InfoPath form templates being usable
offline.

Suppose you have a sales force of 3 each of whom finds a new
contact/prospect and fills out an unexpected additional form. How do
you assign a number offline? Each of the 3 salesmen might want to
submit the next available number, say 1234, then you have problems
(which aren't necessarily impossible to fix though) with all three
having a form number 1234 which they submit when they have net access
again.

One approach is to submit forms to a database and after submission to
the central store the unique autoincremental number is assigned.

Andrew Watt
MVP - InfoPath

 

[JABarrett]

Hi,

Within the company the requisitional form is being stored on the company
server and will not be accessed from anywhere else. All computers in the
company will access the file through the main company share and as such the
forms will not be available offline. The system in use here is purely through
the Infopage form as they do not have any sharepoint servers, web services or
sql servers. What kind of system would i need to set about creating for it to
work given those confinements?

James

 

[Andrew Watt [MVP - InfoPath]]

The first approach I would to consider is to allow the database to
assign a value to an autonumbered column when the data is submitted.

Andrew Watt
MVP - InfoPath

 

[JABarrett]

Unfortunately the form does not link in to a database file for it to have an
autonumber column. Basically the form is opened from the network company
share on their main server - there is a button on the form which will
automatically save the form based on the requisitional number, request type,
etc - these forms are simply saved as xml files in subdirectories under the
location of the form i have created. I am looking for a way in which i can
monitor the existing file numbers - or have something like a text document
where it has the last file number automatically written to it so that the
requisition number field is automatically populated when the user opens the
form template. I have seen people suggesting linking in to a seperate file
which would have it's value replaced each time a new form is saved but as i
am fairly new to infopoint and jvscript i am not currently aware of what
commands i would have to use to generate such an action.

 

[JABarrett]

Also just to clarify - The form automatically pulls the month value from the
system and inserts it as the first two characters of the requisition number
field, this is then followed by a dash and will then be followed by a three
digit incremental value so that the company can organise the forms in to each
month. At the start of each month the incremental number would need to return
to 001.

 

[Bob P]

Are you submitting the forms to a Sharepoint form library, or a share?

 

[JABarrett]

The forms are being submitted to the company server share (not sharepoint but
standard network share) via the jscript save as command.