In part one of this series we focused on setting up a basic form on your website. We discussed the Form Element Attributes and began the Form Element Properties. In part two of this series, we will continue with the Form Element Properties and move on to some more advanced form options.

If you missed part one, you can find it here:
http://www.web-source.net/html_forms1.htm

In part one of this series, we went over Text boxes, Hidden, Password and the Checkbox Form Element Properties. We will now continue with the remaining properties.


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Advanced Forms

If you have a good form processing script, you will have the option to create highly technical forms with additional options:

Multi-page Forms

Provides you with the ability to create a form that spans more than one page. The data you specify will be collected on the first form page and will be transferred to the second page. You can have as many pages as you need and the data will continue to be passed through each page until the final submission. Placeholders are used within each form page to collect and pass the data.

Customized Confirmation Page

Enables you to create a customized confirmation page that may contain your visitor's name and any other information you've collected. In addition, you can even include the date, time and your visitor's IP address (Internet Provider).

Printable Confirmation Page

Enables you to provide your customers with a printable confirmation page for data such as order receipts.

Templates

Provides you with the ability to completely customize the information your form processes. You can use a template to specify how your data will be displayed when it is sent to your email address, and even use a template to set up a database in a specific format.

Database

Enables you to collect your form's data and stores it within a database.

The possibilities are endless. Keep in mind, most form processing scripts will not provide you with these abilities.

The best form I have found is called, Master Form. This form will enable you to have the results emailed to you or to a specified address, can write your information to a database
file and even have a personalized thank you page. In addition, you can even have multi-page forms with no limit on the number of pages. This script costs $35 and can be found here:
http://www.web-source.net/cgi-bin/web/jump.cgi?ID=762

In the final part of this series, we will be focusing on some great tips and tricks you can use to spice up your forms such as:

Creating a Default Form Option
Customizing Your Input Boxes
Adding Color to Your Input Boxes
Disappearing Form Text
Flashing Cursor in Form on Load
Tabbing Through Forms
Customizing Form Colors

Make sure you don't miss the final lesson in this powerful series.

Copyright © Shelley Lowery

About the Author:

Shelley Lowery is the author of the acclaimed web design course, Web Design Mastery.