Creating an intuitive, user-friendly experience is critical for any application, and Zoho Creator is no exception. In this blog post, we will walk you through the process of creating a dynamic search interface using stateless forms, taking the example of an order processing application.
Understanding Stateless Forms
Understanding Stateless Forms
Before diving into creating the search interface, it's important to understand what a stateless form is and how it differs from a traditional form. Unlike traditional forms, stateless forms do not store record details on the backend. This makes them particularly useful for creating interfaces where data entered will only be used for functional requirements and will not be stored in Zoho Creator.
The Use Case: Order Processing Application
The Use Case: Order Processing Application
For this walkthrough, we'll consider an example of an order processing application. In this scenario, the store admin needs to retrieve information related to a specific order. This information can be viewed directly in the report; however, the report contains details of multiple customers' orders. Thus, we can improve the user experience by creating a search interface that displays the relevant order details when the order ID is entered.
Step-by-step Guide to Creating the Search Interface
Step-by-step Guide to Creating the Search Interface
Creating the search interface involves three simple steps:
1. Creating a Stateless Form
Based on the order form, we need to create a stateless form. To do this, open the editor and access the Form Builder. Click the three dots in the top right corner and choose 'duplicate'. Give a name to the stateless form. In our case, we only need the order ID field, as our search results are based on this field.
2. Creating a Page and Embedding the Stateless Form and the Main Form’s Report
The next step is to embed the stateless form and the main form’s report into a new page. Click on the plus icon and choose 'Page'. Create a blank page and name it 'Search Order'. Select the form element and choose the stateless form from the dropdown. Similarly, choose the report element and select the main form's report from the dropdown.
3. Passing a Parameter to the URL to Display the Search Results
Lastly, we need to pass a search parameter to the URL to display the relevant search results. The search parameter is a variable that holds the value entered by the user. We need to set a parameter name, which can be later added to the URL to display filtered results based on the search value entered.
Creating a Workflow and Testing the Interface
Creating a Workflow and Testing the Interface
Once these steps are completed, we need to create a workflow that will filter and display the record on the embedded report based on the search parameter. Now, let's see how the search interface works by entering an order ID from the All Orders report. On clicking the 'Search' button, the page should display the relevant record information. In case an invalid order ID is entered, no data will be displayed.
Final Thoughts
Final Thoughts
Creating a search interface using a stateless form is just one scenario where you can enhance your user experience with Zoho Creator. You can create a variety of search interfaces to suit your unique business needs.
In essence, learning how to leverage stateless forms in Zoho Creator is a crucial step in creating dynamic and user-friendly applications.
Stay tuned for more Zoho Creator tips and tricks!
How do I create a search form in Zoho Creator?
You can create a search form by using a stateless form feature in Zoho Creator. It allows you to design an interface where you can retrieve information based on user input without storing the input data in the backend. This tutorial provides a step-by-step guide to creating and implementing a search form.
What is a stateless form?
A stateless form is a type of form in Zoho Creator that does not store record details on the backend. The data entered in this form type is used for functional requirements only and is not stored in Creator. It's perfect for creating a search interface.
How do you create a stateless form in Creator?
In Creator, you can create a stateless form by duplicating an existing form and disabling the storage checkbox. You can then select the fields to be added to the stateless form. This tutorial guides you through creating a stateless form in detail.
How do I use stateless form in Zoho Creator?
Stateless forms in Zoho Creator are used for designing interfaces where user input is needed to perform a function, but not stored. An example is a search interface, where the user's query retrieves relevant data but doesn't need to be stored for later use. This tutorial shows how to use a stateless form in Zoho Creator.
How do I create an Access search form?
Creating a search form in Microsoft Access involves several steps. Firstly, you'll need to create a basic form tied to a specific database. Then, you add a combo box to the form and set its row source to the field you wish to search. This isn't covered in our Zoho Creator tutorial, but there are many resources online that can help with this process.