11. FORMS
A form allows members to collect information from other EIES® members. A form is first created, then it may be sent to other members to be filled in. Once the forms are completed they are sent back to the author or creator. The information in them can be collected and analyzed.
11.1 Creating a Form
We suggest that you create your form on paper first and then enter it into EIES®.
At HOMEBASE select Forms. You will be taken to the Forms Created List screen. Then select Create form. You are now in your scratchpad.
You may enter a title and some text describing the form and its purpose. Then type in the text of the form exactly as you wish it to appear. Do this the same as you would enter the text of a message or conference comment; however:
When you want a user to fill in information or answer a question, type the question followed by a colon (:). [Note: you cannot use a colon in the text of a form, it will be interpreted as a prompt for a question.
If you want the user it respond with a numerical value, follow the question with a pound sign and a colon (#:). [Note: the user will only be allowed to enter a numerical value.]
A simple form, requesting information about new members of a club may look like this:
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ScratchPad
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1?New Club Member Information
2?
3?Name:
4?Address:
5:Age#:
6?
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When you have finished, type a + on a new line by itself. You will be asked for a subject and keywords. EIES® will automatically assign the form a number.
The form can now be attached to a message or conference comment. (See section 9). You will need to remember the number of the form you wish to attach. If you have forgotten, simply return to the Forms Created List to find the correct form number.
11.2 Filling in a Form
When you receive a message or conference comment with a form attached and you wish to fill in the information requested, you need to "use" the attachment.
You can fill in a form immediately after you receive it by entering a Y when you are asked use (Form) attachment (Y/N)?
A form may also be filled in at a later time. Just keep in mind the item number to which the form is attached, or search through your accepted items. When you are ready to fill in a form, select Use attachment from your mail or conference screen. When asked, type the item number to which the form is attached.
When you have done one of the steps above, the form will appear on your screen. The cursor will be at the first question that needs to be filled in. Enter your response, followed by a <CR>. The cursor will then be taken to the next question. When you’ve finished answering all the questions the information will be automatically sent to the author of the item.
If you wish to stop filling in the form, type a -. The information that you have filled in will not be saved.