Includes Generate-PDF API, first version of PDF data parsing and import, Conditional Dropdown fields, snap-to-grid field alignment, higher resolution form generation, bigger, better signature box, continuing UI improvements and fixes.
Generate-PDF API
A powerful feature that enables multiple things, including bulk generation of pdf documents populated from Quickbase records (like a simpler version of Exact Forms/Plus with batch generation), and attaching the pdfs (or sending them somewhere else with Pipelines or script).
It also enables creating and attaching a pdf for a new or updated QB record automatically, whether the record was added or edited with the Form Engine or not, and without having to enable View/Modify all records at all for EOTI/anonymous Form Engine use.
PDF Data Parsing and Import
This remarkable functionality can read and extract data from populated pdfs and create QB records with the mapped data. Use cases are anywhere a company has pre-filled pdfs, either historical/in batch, or incoming flow in email, where there is need or value in the data and pdfs going automatically into QB. Ideally the Form Engine replaces pdfs with data locked in them like this, but when the pdfs can’t be replaced or there are historical pdfs already, the data in them can now be extracted and automatically pushed into QB.
The normal Form Engine digitizing of a pdf template provides the mapping for the fields to the target table(s). The only additional setup needed is to create the source and path for the Form Engine to get and process the pdfs. This can be setting up a table in QB for the pdf attachments, a dedicated email address to handle a flow of emails with pdf attachments, or something like Dropbox with Pipelines as the source and path.
Conditional Dropdown Fields
We’re creating a version of this in the Form Engine to replicate Quickbase native functionality, because the QB API doesn’t support pulling the native functionality through. So set up the conditional dropdown functionality in native QB as QB prescribes.
Then you’ll be using 2 Related Parent fields in your form, where one is set up in QB to be conditional on the choice a user chooses in the other. Clicking to open the Field Properties in the 2nd field, that is conditional on the first, will bring up this section. Clicking the blue button will load the current QB data from those fields (are we saving data in FE or what??)
The dropdown options will not update with changes in the source QB data, they are static in the form, so to update them for new values, you have to go back in when there are new values and click Update. We will improve this as soon as the QB API improves to support a more durable, integrated solution.
Snap-to-Grid Field Alignment
This feature makes it much easier to align fields with each other on a form, vertically or horizontally, with red lines that display when field edges are aligned. Snap-to-Grid defaults to On, but can be checked Off for individual forms under the Config dropdown:
Higher Resolution Forms
Increased the resolution on forms digitized so they have a better screen and print resolution...better than Docusign and some other tools. It takes a few extra seconds to initially import/digitize new forms for this improvement.
Bigger, Better Signature box
Signature pad popup on desktop is bigger, improving usability, and it shrinks the captured signature proportionally to fit in the space provided on the form. Same with mobile, and mobile signatures also popup a suggestion to turn the phone and sign them in landscape for even more space to sign.