Microsoft InfoPath 2003 allows users to create forms that can be used immediately for data gathering, analysis, and reporting. This book provides everything you need to maximize the potential of this unique tool.

Whether you're looking to create streamlined forms, understand the code behind InfoPath forms, or work with InfoPath at an enterprise level, you'll learn how to take advantage of all the tools InfoPath offers. A case study shows how InfoPath can be used in conjunction with Windows SharePoint Services and Microsoft Access, and there's an entire chapter on using XML data sources. By the end of the book, you'll be comfortable with creating forms in Microsoft InfoPath 2003 and using the features that come with the 1.1 service release.

What you will learn from this book

• How to use InfoPath in a range of scenarios to meet various needs
• Ways to create an InfoPath form from an existing data source
• An overview of the numerous controls and when to use them
• Techniques for working with the various types of sections that make InfoPath forms
• How to put a form on a file server that other people can access
• Scripting forms with JScript and VBScript
• Developing InfoPath forms with VB.NET, C#, and the Visual Studio .NET InfoPath 2003 Toolkit
• Implementing InfoPath forms and data security using authorization, trusted forms, and digital signatures

Who this book is for

This book is for both power users and developers who are looking to create sophisticated forms quickly or take their existing forms skills to the next level.

Wrox Beginning guides are crafted to make learning programming languages and technologies easier than you think, providing a structured, tutorial format that will guide you through all the techniques involved.

About the Author
F. Scott Barker, a Microsoft MVP, has worked as a developer in the database field for over 16 years, and with Visual Basic, SQL Server, and Microsoft Access for the last 12 years. Scott is currently working on a major InfoPath project for Toyota, converting a largely manual paper form production quality control system to InfoPath forms. Scott worked at Microsoft in the Access and Foxpro teams. Since leaving he has been contracting with Microsoft developing in-house tools used throughout Microsoft. Scott is a writer for a number of VB/Office magazines as well as a columnist for DotNetJunkies.com and is the author of a number of books.