System and method for completing an electronic form

Abstract

A system and method for providing computerized forms completion and processing. A forms designer utilizes a forms creation module that includes a scripting feature to create an electronic form. The scripting feature provides flow of control statements and a variety of functions useful in forms, e.g., such as questionnaires. These functions include data validation, field navigation/control (e.g., skip), context sensitive help, data formatting, alert sounds and dialog boxes. The scripting feature ensures that skip patterns are followed correctly and that the form is completed accurately. The forms creation program generates a field description record for each field created by the forms designer. The set of field description records that define the electronic form is then transferred to a handheld computer, such as a personal digital assistant (PDA). A user of the form, such as a respondent to a survey, utilizes the PDA to respond to the statements or questions that are part of the form. A forms engine executing on the PDA interprets one field at a time and displays that field in the sequence designed by the forms designer. Each field includes a prompt portion, an answer box portion, and a control portion that are displayed together on the display screen of the PDA. After the form is completed, the response data is optionally transferred to another computer for further processing or reporting.