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Formidable DNN Forms

Posted by Tom on Thursday, March 08, 2007 to DotNetNuke, DNN Module Reviews, DNN Tips and Tricks

I received an email the other day that reads like this:

“I need to create a request for information form. Of course when I use the text/html module there's a problem since the page is already in a form. How do you add forms? Is there a core module for it or do I need a 3rd party module? If so, can you recommend one?”

We here at Seablick Consulting use two main approaches when it comes to forms and DNN.

As usual, Vasilis likes to get his hands really dirty by coding forms by hand. Then he adds a sprinkle or two of CSS and in-line asp.net code and sticks it all into an IFrame. This way he has full control over the code, which is just the way he likes it. This is also the preferred way to go for incorporating 3rd party forms such as the Email Updates form seen on our home page.

I on the other hand prefer to use a module named XMod. It’s a very flexible application that provides much more than forms though, but I have only scratched the surface yet by developing feedback-style forms ranging from simple contact forms to lead generators to more elaborate credit applications. I love XMod’s flexibility when it comes to form layout and the gained productivity by reusing forms in a certain industry niche or across clients.

Oh, and let’s not forget DotNetNuke’s traditional Feedback module, which is now a DNN Project. Buts since I have not used it since the DNN 2 days I can’t comment on it at all.

And one other note, XMod is certainly not the only forms module available, but again, I’ve stuck to what works for me so I’m relying on your input on anything else but XMod. Let’s share in the comments.


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Comments

Comment By Steven on Monday, March 26, 2007 at 1:49 AM

Complex forms on DNN is often an exercise for a developer...even when using XMod. I've been running Form Master from Code 5 Systems for a little over a year and even our account managers and some of our customers can create their own forms without any programming knowledge (although a good dose of layout skills helps)

Comment By Tom Kraak on Thursday, April 05, 2007 at 6:09 AM

Sorry Steven, my site was not sending emails for a while so I missed your comment.

I agree, if you need the ability for non-technical users to create forms then Xmod is not your best bet.

Comment By Vitaly Kozadayev on Thursday, July 05, 2007 at 10:54 AM

I've been using all sorts of modules and found DataSprings.com Dynamic Forms to be the coolest.

Comment By pspeth on Monday, February 11, 2008 at 11:06 AM

My understanding is that XMOD stores the Data in XML and that although it can be made to access data files it is less straightforward.
Beyond simple data gathering, I would love to be able to create nice forms that can access DNN tables, and even save to their own tables.

Could you comment on how you typically save/access your data with XMOD and clear up any misperseptions I may have?

Comment By Tom Kraak on Monday, February 11, 2008 at 11:40 AM

Pspeth - XMod does save it's data to the database, but not into "normal" tables. So let's say you have a simple form with 3 fields -- FirstName, LastName, EmailAdress -- XMod places the 3 fields into ONE row of of a db table ... one row per form.

It's very easy "pull out" and display XMod's own data with the help of XMod templates, but accessing non-XMod tables is not as straightforward, albeit possible.

Maybe I should dedicate a blog post to this issue?

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