List - any difference between using INFOPATH to customise a form vs customising via the "Form Web Parts"

Hi there,

Is there much of a difference between customising a LIST form using infopath to alter layout and so forth, vs changing things via altering the "Form Web Parts" for the three forms (new, edit, view)?

I'm interested in "the works", so:

  • functional issues - obviously you can control rules and add code, and its perhaps easier or more idiot proof to customise format and layout in infopath, but are there any big "don't use infopath if you are trying to do this" or vice versa?
  • deployment issues, is there a way to "keep" the customizations I make in a form with the list to move to another site - are there any gotchas? ie: can you include (either or both or neither) infopath or aspx forms in a feature/solution ?
  • is there any tricks to the infopath forms as I noticed that at least in some lists, the "default" forms are in the list and the infopath forms are actually in "\Forms\" although some of my forms this location seems to be "Announcements" (assuming this is an Announcements list customisation).
  • does the form customisation have any impact on Workflows or anything other than the list its applied to or is it safe to change these things without unwanted flow on effects?

September 10th, 2015 2:21am

Hi,

The following articles would be helpful:

InfoPath vs ASPX: Which Electronic Form Is the Most Useful in SharePoint?

https://www.premierpointsolutions.com/training/help-and-how-to-articles/infopath-vs-aspx/

SharePoint Forms Comparison: Lists vs. SP Designer vs. InfoPath

http://go.limeleap.com/community/bid/300409/SharePoint-Forms-Comparison-Lists-vs-SP-Designer-vs-InfoPath

If there is no limitation for technology, I suggest you use vs to customize the form, it will be more flexible.

Best Regards,

Dennis Guo

Free Windows Admin Tool Kit Click here and download it now
September 10th, 2015 11:26pm

This is awsome stuff thanks! Just one* more question.... How... (* hehe ;) its a big question... with lots of parts...)

Meaning SPDesigner(2013) seems to have lost its Design/Visual Layout mode...  and I only have VS Pro (not premium or ultimate)...  can you point me to how I'm supposed to work with VS and sharepoint since I have no access to install SP locally...

...what hoops do I need go through to be able to use VS and SP against our dev/test servers?

https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ee231582.aspx - says you MUST have VS on the same machine - is 2013 the same? I can't find similar doco on 2013... I can't find downloads of 2013 to install either... MSDN subscriptions says I'm not allowed because I don't have Ultimate/Enterprise...

can you do everything with 2010 installed if you are deploying to 2013 IN 2010 mode?
can you develop with just "Foundation" (if that's still a thing in 2013...) or if you are deploying to "Enterprise" should you have the same version on workstation?

September 11th, 2015 12:05am

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