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Customizing a Form

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

The Microsoft Outlook version on which Oracle CRM On Demand Desktop runs determines which form Oracle CRM On Demand Desktop uses:

Microsoft Outlook 2007 and Microsoft Outlook 2010 forms are described in forms_12.xml.

Each form is described in a form element. Oracle CRM On Demand Desktop includes the following basic 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. Oracle CRM On Demand Desktop supports the following:
  • Native Microsoft Outlook field types, such as text box or check box
  • Custom Oracle CRM On Demand Desktop controls, such as currency control, lookup, and multiselect list
• Positioning a field on the form.
• Modifying custom Oracle CRM On Demand Desktop controls.
• Creating entirely new forms that use the look-and-feel of Microsoft Outlook. To enter data in these forms, Oracle CRM On Demand 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 Oracle CRM On Demand 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 Oracle CRM On Demand Desktop Uses When Customizing a Form

The forms.js file contains a description of the validation rules that Oracle CRM On Demand Desktop uses for the object that it displays on any form. You can configure Oracle CRM On Demand Desktop to do the following:

• Determine whether it enters information in the required fields
• Examine the format of any other field values, and so on
• Inform the user if a field validation failure occurs

Because validation uses JavaScript functions, you can combine these functions with JavaScript RegEx (JavaScript Regular Expressions) to configure a wide variety of format examination. For more information on defining validation rules, see Defining the Validation Rules.

Business Logic That Oracle CRM On Demand Desktop Uses with Customizing a Form

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