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Customizing a Form

The forms_11.xml and forms_12.xml files contain a definition for customized forms in Siebel CRM Desktop. These files allow you to customize forms, remove fields, change field names, and set custom list views.

The Microsoft Outlook version on which the Siebel CRM Desktop add-in runs determines which form Siebel CRM Desktop uses:

• The forms_11.xml file describes Microsoft Outlook 2003 forms.
• The forms_12.xml file describes Microsoft Outlook 2007 forms.

Each form is described in a form tag. Siebel CRM Desktop includes the following customization capabilities for these files:

• Changing field labels.
• Removing fields from the form that are not applicable to the work environment.
• Identifying fields on forms.
• Designating field type. Siebel CRM Desktop supports the following:
  • Native Microsoft Outlook field types, such as text box or check box
  • Custom Siebel CRM Desktop controls, such as currency control, lookup, and multiselect list
• Positioning a field on the form.
• Modifying custom Siebel CRM Desktop controls.
• Creating entirely new forms that use the look and feel of Microsoft Outlook. To enter data in these forms, Siebel CRM Desktop uses fields that the user defines.
• Programmatically applying custom behavior and logic to a form or field.
• Setting Microsoft Outlook view controls on a custom form to display relationships between Siebel CRM objects.
• Modifying interface elements, such as text in a system message, a dialog box, a label, or a caption.

For more information, see XML Code to Customize Forms, and Correct Usage of the Forms_xx.XML File and Object ID.

Validation Rules That Siebel CRM Desktop Uses with Customizing a Form

The business_logic.js file contains a description of the validation rules that Siebel CRM Desktop uses for the object that it displays on any form. You can configure Siebel CRM Desktop to examine the format of information that the user enters in a field and then inform the user if this information does not adhere to the format. Because validation uses JavaScript functions, you can combine these functions with JavaScript RegEx (JavaScript Regular Expressions) to configure a wide variety of validation. To define validation rules, you can also use JavaScript in the forms_11.xml file and the forms_12.xml file. For more information, see Defining the Validation Rules.

Business Logic That Siebel CRM Desktop Uses with Customizing a Form

The forms_11.xml file or the forms_12.xml file contain some of the business logic. You must implement them in JavaScript. JavaScript capabilities in Siebel CRM Desktop allow you to access any field of an object, or any property of a Microsoft Outlook form. You can use this access to run code on a specific event, such as opening a form, saving a form, and so forth. You can configure Siebel CRM Desktop to fill fields automatically, format field values automatically, and disable or enable a control, depending on certain criteria.