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My Biggest InfoPath Gripe

If you have a schema which is not finalized and you happen to modify it, you have to recreate your entire InfoPath template from scratch. This seems to be a result of the fact that once you point a template at a schema, InfoPath copies it internal to it's .xsn file and references only that local copy from that point on. I can't seem to find any "Refresh Data Source" functionality, which I would expect to just detect any form elements that were maybe removed or modified and notify the user that he/she must recreate those.

I realize it's not supposed to be a developer tool, but this is a really aggravating problem and I can't imagine that Microsoft doesn't realize that developers and knowledge workers are going to be working hand in hand while developing forms that submit to web services. Other than this, I'm very impressed with the tool and believe that it really could play a major role in taking web-services that next-step... if people learn how to leverage it properly.

Posted: Apr 30 2003, 05:00 PM by drub0y | with 3 comment(s)
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Comments

Alex Dresko said:

My biggest problem with InfoPath is that I can't figure out how/where it fits into my daily process. I believe it IS in fact another development tool in that it almost requires a developer to create a working document.

On one hand, InfoPath is VERY cool and I was extremely excited when I first heard about it and tried it out. On the other hand, it doesn't do anything better than the tools I already have on hand.

Note to myself if I read this in another 12-18 months: It's okay, man. You didn't know the software that well at the time. No one will think less of you at the next meeting. :)
# April 30, 2003 3:13 PM

Gerrard00 said:

Try File/Extract Form Files. That will extract the files in the cab...er that is xsn file, including the Xml Schema.

BTW, I have a ton of little gripes with InfoPath, but my biggest is definitely the fact that you can't host the application or do any meaningful manipulation with the OM.

Still a great piece of software tho.
# June 10, 2003 4:13 PM

Beebo said:

If youre old enough (like me) to remember the early versions of Access, MS was trying to do "InfoPath" type stuff with Access forms - that is, they were trying to make a product that anyone could use (via Wizards) to whip out a couple forms and manage biz data that way.  The entire concept flopped with a dull thud.  Access remained, but small biz user still had to get Gurus to do anything with it.

InfoPath, along with the Web suggests a second, more fitting attempt by MS to do this, however my client base of small and medium businesses that are currently using Excel to track things like Agendas, Issue logs, Orders, etc. - They are all rejecting InfoPath as 'nice looking', but just more cost overhead because InfoPath will once again leave them paying Gurus to do the work they would like to be able to manage.

So yeah, InfoPath is certainly cool, nice looking and fairly easy for us techies - but for actual biz owners in tough economic times?  Well, as one client of mine put it recently: "Once again MS gives us a bulldozer where all we want and need is a small shovel".

# November 13, 2008 3:00 PM
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