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How to Create a Custom Form

xAssets Configuration Guide
How To

How to Create a Custom Form

This page explains how to create a custom form in xAssets. Forms define the layout of every data entry screen, dialog, and detail page. The recommended approach is to clone an existing form and modify it, rather than building from scratch.

Prerequisites

  • You must be a Configuration User to create and edit forms.
  • Identify which type of form you need: an asset editor form, a dialog, a subform, or another form type.

Step 1: Find a Similar Existing Form

  1. Navigate to Admin > Forms.
  2. Browse the Forms List or use the search box to find a form that is close to what you need.
  3. Consider the form's Subject (e.g., Asset, Task, Custodian) and Form Type (e.g., Editor, Dialog, Subform) when selecting a starting point.

Step 2: Clone the Form

  1. Select the form you want to use as a starting point in the Forms List.
  2. Click the Clone button in the toolbar, or choose Clone Form from the Forms menu.
  3. A copy of the form is created, including all its fields, layout HTML, and stylesheets.

Step 3: Rename and Configure the Form

  1. Open the cloned form in the Form Editor (it usually opens automatically after cloning).
  2. Change the Form Name to a descriptive name that distinguishes it from the original.
  3. Verify the Subject is correct -- this determines which database fields are available for insertion.
  4. Verify the Form Type is correct -- this determines where the system uses the form (Editor, Dialog, Subform, etc.).
  5. If this is a category-specific asset editor form, set the Category or Category Group to the appropriate asset category.
  6. Optionally set the Profile to link the form to a specific functional area (e.g., IT Asset Management).

Step 4: Modify the Fields

  1. Switch to the fields view in the Form Editor.
  2. Remove any fields you do not need by selecting them and deleting.
  3. Add new fields by inserting them from the available field list. The fields available depend on the form's Subject.
  4. Reorder fields by dragging them to the desired position, or by adjusting their sort order numbers.
  5. Resize fields by changing their width properties.
  6. For each field, review its properties (label text, required flag, read-only flag, etc.) by clicking on the field.

Step 5: Save and Test

  1. Click Save to save the form. The form is immediately available for use.
  2. Navigate to the screen where the form should appear and verify it displays correctly.
  3. Check that all fields are in the right order, the correct size, and that required fields are marked appropriately.

Tips

  • Cloning preserves the field layout, widths, and formatting of the source form, saving significant time compared to building from scratch.
  • After cloning, always rename the new form immediately to avoid confusion.
  • For precise layout control beyond automatic field arrangement, use custom HTML and CSS in the Form Layout HTML and Stylesheets tab. See Form Layout HTML and Stylesheets.
  • If you need the form to appear only for certain asset categories, set the Category or Category Group. See Category-Specific Forms.