Data model
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The data model can be described as the core of a form. The data model includes the entire selection of question elements in a form and stores all of the answers upon saving a workflow session. When a form interacts with another Builder, say the workflow builder, the form is represented as the data model. The questions can be used in different views (ea. Mobile, Computer, PDF) and can have different settings for different views (Views - Different views of the same form). The questions will have the same question ID, and transformation of data from the completed form can therefore be mapped against the same variables in a PDF, XML or the like. This makes it possible to adapt the form to different platforms without creating multiple forms, which in turn makes maintenance of the form easier.
Since the data model contains the core of the form, it is also possible to add global settings to the form elements here. Such global settings can be display and enable conditions, max characters, mandatory/ optional marking of questions etc. Exclusively for the data model is also the configuration of validation scripts (Validation script - Data Model) and making duplicatable questions (Duplicatable elements - Question Groups).
When adding questions to a form in the Builder section of the form, the questions will automatically be added to the data model. You can also choose to build the form directly in the data model too.
If you would like to change the layout, help and style for the question you will however have to do this in the Builder section. Only the properties affecting how the question will be saved in the data model are available in the data model section. Select an element to view the element properties.
The properties set in the data model will be the main settings. These will be universal unless you change them per view. The view-specific changes will override the universal settings in the particular view.
What is included in the data model?
Elements – Data Model
In the data model you will find all the questions added to the form. Only question elements used to collect data are available in the data model. Text-, image- and video elements are decorations, and are not included in the data model. The group element and the table element are considered page layout elements and are also not included in the data model.
In the data model it is possible to add a question group. This question group can be connected with a group or table in the builder, making the group or the rows of the table repeatable.
Questions
Notice also the difference in the question elements available in the data model vs. the builder. In the builder section the questions have different layouts. In the element panel you can for instance find a dropdown and a radio button element, while in the data model these are both included in the single-select question. A dropdown and a radio button, serve the same function (only one option can be chosen).
The reason different options are made available in the builder is for the end-user’s usability. While some options are better displayed in a dropdown list, other questions become more user friendly using a radio button. After creating a single-select question, the Type dropdown in the Builder properties panel can be used to change the question type.
You will see the same case for the Input element in the data model. The data model does not differentiate between value input questions, whether it’s a input-, text area-, date- or password question.
