Beginning InfoPath™ 2003

4.1. Starting the Form Based on a Data Source

When creating forms based on data, the data that is to be used with the form needs to be specified. This does not mean merely which database you want to use, but also the tables or queries, and even the fields. While the InfoPath team has been kind enough to give us a wizard to connect to data sources, there are specifics you need to understand to have the correct data available for use on your InfoPath form.

4.1.1. Specifying the Right Data for the Right Job

When using more than one table for a form, all the tables necessary must be chosen. For example, if you wanted to list customers and their invoices with details, you would choose tblCustomers, tblInvoices, and tblInvoiceDetails. For this chapter, you will be use a Microsoft Access table from the Chapter 4.mdb titled tblCustomers. You can see some data from this table displayed in Figure 4-1.

Figure 4.1. Figure 4-1

To make it simpler all the data from this table will be used. If using only a few fields from a table, then only those fields should be specified. The Data Connection Wizard guides you in making these choices.

4.1.2. Working with the Data Connection Wizard

The Data Connection Wizard steps you through accomplishing the following tasks:

• Pick a Database: Besides picking the type of database (for example, Access, SQL Server, or Web service), the actual database can be ...