Frequently Asked Questions

What is InfoPath?

A tool to create online and offline forms to collect information.

What is SharePoint?

A platform for hosting InfoPath forms and other content, and for implementing workflows to manage forms and other content.

What types of forms can InfoPath be used to create?

You can create web-enabled forms, which are filled out online using a web browser such as Internet Explorer, or offline forms, which are filled out using the InfoPath client.

What type of fields (controls) can InfoPath forms include?

Text boxes
Text areas
Option (radio) buttons
Check boxes
Select boxes
Date pickers
and more ...

What presentation options does InfoPath offer?

Multiple views can be created for the same form -- for example, read-only and printer-friendly.

How is the data stored?

Data can be stored in SharePoint columns, which are easier to implement for non-programmers but place limits on reporting capabilities, or in SQL Server 2005, which requires more design work and specialized programming skills but increases reporting capabilities.

What should researchers consider when designing InfoPath forms?

Important considerations include:

Question/response coding
Naming conventions for data collected
Data validation -- for example, which fields are required
Conditional formatting -- for example, what range of values is expected for a field
Question branching logic -- for example, if Yes for question 2, skip questions 3-5

Can InfoPath's capabilities be expanded?

Custom programming is available in .NET to further enhance InfoPath's capabilities.

What is a workflow?

A workflow is a model of a real-life business process that automatically routes documents through a system. For example, after a form is initially submitted, a workflow may automatically assign the form to a research coordinator for review, and then to a PI for final approval.

How are workflows designed?

Basic workflows can be created with little or no programming using a tool from Microsoft called SharePoint Designer. More advanced workflows can be created using .NET programming.

An example InfoPath form.

Use conditional formatting to suggest values.

Use data validation to require values.

Need Help?

For technical assistance with other research software, email software@bmi.cchmc.org. For basic desktop support or assistance with clinical information systems, call the Cincinnati Children's Service Desk, 513-636-4100, or visit the Information Services CenterLink site. UC employees should call the UCit Help Desk, 513-556-HELP.

A note about UCit software

UC researchers are served with desktop software by UCIT. In many cases this software is licensed specifically to UC employees only (i.e., people who receive paychecks from UC) or must be run on UC-owned or controlled equipment, making it inaccessible to Cincinnati Children's personnel. Please make sure you read the license agreement carefully before you use UC software.

Faculty and students of UC are eligible to purchase software from UC. However, when purchasing from UC, the license agreement states that the software can be installed only on your personally owned or UC-owned computer and not on machines owned by other institutions. Since Children’s Hospital is a separate entity from UC, installing software purchased from UC on CCHMC owned computers is a violation of that license agreement. There is a difference in the price of software purchased from Biomedical Informatics at Children’s Hospital versus from the UC Bookstore. This difference is because UC qualifies for the educational discount whereas Children’s Hospital does not. Although Cincinnati Children’s Hospital is affiliated with UC, we are not a degree granting institution. We are a hospital, therefore we only qualify for the healthcare/non-profit discount.