I'm trying to figure out how to allow users to fill a form out partially, save the data, and come back to it later before submitting the form. I understand that the data needs to be linked to a user's ID and I'm only concerned about registered users, but I can't find any posts or tutorials on how to do this.
I see db record loader action is a new implementation in version 4, but I can’t find any instructions on how to implement it or if it would really solve this problem.
I'm a coding newbie, so if this isn't something that's easily implemented, can my company work with the developer to create a solution?
Thanks!
Rex
Hi Rex,
There are two parts to this. One is making sure that partial data is saved; the other is to recover it when the user comes back.
The default Joomla! session time is 15 minutes and this isn't long to complete a complex form.
I'd always suggest breaking the form into chunks with up to a dozen questions in each chunk. Then each chunk becomes a separate form linked together by the multi-page plug-in (for CFv3). As each page is submitted the data can be validated and saved into a database table.
Identifying users when they return can be a little trickier. If they are going to register on your site then it becomes easy, you can get them to login and then use their User iD to identify and re-load any existing data.
If they are not registering then there are two main approaches:
(a) you can save a cookie on their computer and use that to identify them when they return - the cookie only needs to contain a unique random string. The problem with cookies is that they ay are computer specific and not user specific. If you have many users who are filling in the form using shared computers then this may not work well.
(b) you use some personal identifier to recover the data. This could be an email address on the first page of the form that will then pull up any data recorded with that address. A customer number or policy number or something like that will work as well.
None of this is very complex coding and if you have someone familiar with PHP and Joomla! they should have no problem getting it to work.
And if you want to contract it out there are a few people around who will create custom form applications.
Bob
Thanks Bob, that helps a lot!
Is there a coder you might recommend for such a job?
Hi Rex,
I'm more than happy to assist you with the build of such a form setup.
I will send you a small email to get in contact and then we can discuss the rest a bit later.
Best regards,
Danny