No-code forms and workflow tools of the SharePoint trade
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Transcript of No-code forms and workflow tools of the SharePoint trade
What can SharePoint do?
Collaboration
Document management
Internal Social Network
Forms
Process Automation (Workflows)
Business Intelligence
Reporting
Search
Metadata Management
…
Super secret
The next version will even make coffee!
Lots!!
What do You need SharePoint to do for You?
I am not a programmer. I want to create solutions (or get them created) without writing any code
Examples of no-code solutions
Human Resource portals
Self-service reporting, financial dashboards
Expense reporting
Review and approve document workflows
New-hire orientation sites
Ideation, feedback, & “suggestion boxes”
Structured documents: contracts, RFPs, & invoices
No-Code Forms and Workflow Tools of the SharePoint Trade
Asif RehmaniSharePoint MVP
VisualSP
Download my presentations at:http://bit.ly/asifconference
About me - Asif Rehmani
TrainerFounder and CEOVisualSPChicago, USA
Contact:
Author
Trainer & ConsultantSharePoint MVPConference Speaker
IgniteTechEdSPTechConSP ConnectionsSP FestDev IntersectionAnd many more…
In-context Help/Training for end users
Please help me understand who You are
Power Users AdministratorsThe infamous
SharePoint Guy / Gal
Developers
Agenda
What to use and when to use the no-code tools related to:
Workflows, Forms
The answers to the most asked questions
Lessons learned
“Let’s not write code until we have to write code.”
Power User’s motto:
Creating Solutions
Recommended sequence when creating your solutions:
1. Browser based only
2. Use no-code tools
3. Use code tools
OR
3rd party products
Advantages of building no-code solutions
Possibilities of what you can do are Enormous!
Quick learning curve
Easier ongoing management of solution
Delegate responsibility easily
Before we go forward, Question:
Which version of SharePoint are you on?
2010 20162013
Online
Form based Solutions
SharePoint Lists are great.
However… I want to control what list information is presented in list forms to users
The former ‘and current’ form solution from Microsoft
The story of InfoPath
Library form
InfoPath 2010 & 2013Custom SharePoint list form
Workflow form
I am worried about all the forms we are currently using in InfoPath and what’s going to happen to them now that Microsoft is not supporting InfoPath long term
InfoPath 2013Supported till 2026
Guidance on InfoPath
Already working with InfoPath and have a Lot of working forms:
Continue working with InfoPath
Never used InfoPath and looking for a forms solution for SharePoint:
Consider PowerApps, MS Forms, ASP.NET forms, or 3rd party vendor
Access Web AppsQuick form based application
Create web applications using Access
Build Access web apps and launch to SharePoint Online
Access web apps being retired - April 2018
• Just didn’t work for the required scenarios
• Needs outgrew capability of Access Services • mobile device support, integration with line of business data,
and professional developer extensions.
https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/Office-Retirement-Blog/Updating-the-Access-Services-in-SharePoint-Roadmap/ba-p/57148
New(ish) kids on the block:PowerApps & Forms
Microsoft Forms
Not end-all-be-all forms customization tool
For non-technical power users
Quick data pull
Surveys, Quizzes, Polls, Information Gathering
MS Forms web part available in modern pages
PowerApps is The main Microsoft forms solution going forward
Creating Views of Lists using PowerApps
Customize List forms using PowerApps
Coming soon later this year…
PowerApps
PowerApps forms show up directly in the list view (late 2017)
PowerApps web part coming (late 2017)
Works great on mobile phones and tablets. Not so great of an experience on desktops and laptops just yet
Works only on Modern lists in SharePoint Online. Classic SharePoint interfaces not supported.
What are my non-3rd party Form options today?
SharePoint On-Premises and SharePoint Online Classic interfaces
InfoPath
SharePoint Online Modern interfaces
PowerApps, Forms
Process AutomationNo-code workflows
I want to create automated processes without writing any code
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Workflow tools
Browser
SharePoint Designer 2013
Visio 2013
Flow
Visual Studio 2012/2013
3rd party applications
What SharePoint Designer 2013 offersStages• New base level concept of
stages
Visual Designer• Direct Visio incorporation• Stage-Level Diagrams
New Task Actions• Quick and easy to create
tasks and approval processes
Web Services• Able to call into Rest/HTTP
web services
Loops!• Able now to loop indirectly
with stages or directly with the new Loop actions
Copy/Cut and Paste• Core copy/cut and paste
abilities now introduced
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2010 and 2013 style workflowsSharePoint Designer
2010
2013 & 2016
I am worried about losing all the work I put in creating workflows in SharePoint Designer over the years
SharePoint Designer 2013Supported till 2026
New(ish) way to do workflow:Flow
Flow in SharePoint Lists
Flow
The Main process automation solution by Microsoft
“Send for Review” Flow will be available later part of the year
Ability to ask for info (startup parameters/variables) coming soon
Integration in lists and libraries (late Oct 2017)
How do I practice my ideas and concepts?
Watch videos at:
https://www.visualsp.com & YouTube of course
Get a sandbox environment for practicing:
Get an Office 365 Trial
Or
Virtual machine on Azure
Or
Build your own Virtual Machine 42
Go for Quick Wins – Increases adoption and confidence!
Identify real pain points and focus in on them
Call to Action
Download my presentations at:
http://bit.ly/asifconference
Watch video tutorials at:
VisualSP.com
Thank You!@asifrehmani