Integrating SharePoint 2013 with the Office Applications (part 9) - Microsoft InfoPath - Customizing the Document Information Panel and List Forms

Customizing the Document Information Panel and List Forms

The Document Information Panel associates with a particular SharePoint content type for the open document. Using InfoPath and SharePoint, administrators may customize the look of the Document Information Panel, following these steps:

• 1.  Open InfoPath Designer 2013.
• 2.  In the list of available templates shown, click the Document Information Panel template.
• 3.  Click the Design Form button on the right.
• 4.  A wizard dialog appears (see Figure 21). Enter the URL of the SharePoint document library and then click the Next button.

• 5.  Select the content type to edit the Document Information Panel and click the Next button.
• 6.  The wizard displays a message about publishing the content type for the InfoPath form to work; click the Finish button.
• 7.  InfoPath Designer 2013 now shows you a form to edit, complete with the Document Information Panel fields (see Figure 22).

• 8.  Experiment with editing the form; for example, change some colors, fonts, and so on.
• 9.  To publish your changes to SharePoint, click the File tab and then the Quick Publish button.

InfoPath Designer also allows administrators to edit List Form pages, such as the Edit form, or the New Item form. The following steps demonstrate this:

1. Navigate to the SharePoint list or library.
2. Click the List tab on the ribbon and then click the Customize Form icon on the ribbon.
3. InfoPath Designer opens, showing the Edit form with the active fields.
4. Customize the form. You may change the presentation any way you like, even adding or removing fields.
5. To publish your changes to SharePoint, click the File tab and then the Quick Publish button.
6. Once published, your changes apply to the Edit (EditForm.aspx), New Item (NewForm.aspx), and Display (DispForm.aspx) forms.
7. Navigate to the list in SharePoint and add a new item. You should see the new InfoPath form loaded.

How do you revert to the SharePoint stock list forms?

1. Using Internet Explorer, navigate to the default view of the list.
2. Click the List tab on the ribbon and then click the List Settings icon.
3. Click the Form Settings link under General Settings.
4. Revert back to the SharePoint list forms and click OK.