From a technical perspective, InfoPath is an
XML-based editor. Ultimately, an InfoPath form is an XML style sheet
that makes use of XML-based data both for populating the form and for
retrieving data from external data sources. For the most part, the bare
bones XML functionality is hidden from the end user. However, as we
take a closer look at the features available, you’ll begin to see a few
telltale signs. When we move on to look at creating code behind our
InfoPath forms, you’ll see how the application hangs together.
InfoPath Forms Services
Introduced in MOSS 2007, InfoPath Forms Services
allows forms created using the InfoPath client application to be
rendered as HTML, allowing users to complete forms without having the
client application installed.
Most services in SharePoint
2010 are implemented as service applications and are configured via the
Manage Service Applications option in Central Administration. InfoPath
Forms Services works a bit differently and can be configured as follows:
Open SharePoint Central Administration.
Select General Application Settings from the Central Administration pane on the left:
In
the InfoPath Forms Services section, you’ll see various configuration
links.Generally speaking, the default configuration is appropriate for most
situations. The Manage Form Templates and the Manage Data Connection
Files options are useful for allowing you to manage form templates and
connections.
To enable InfoPath Forms Services
within a web site, you must enable the SharePoint Server Enterprise
Site Collection features at the site-collection level. To add these
features, take the following steps:
From the Site Actions menu, select Site Settings.
In the Site Collection Administration section, click Go To Top Level Site Settings.
In
Site Collection Administration, choose Site Collection Features. If
it’s not already activated, click the Activate button next to
SharePoint Server Enterprise Site Collection Features.
