SharePoint Forms: Advantages and Disadvantages

SharePoint Forms are a powerful tool for creating and managing forms within the Microsoft SharePoint platform. They allow users to easily create and share forms, collect data, and analyze the results. However, like all tools, they have their advantages and disadvantages. In the following, I want to give you an overview of both.

Advantages of Using SharePoint Forms:

1. Easy to customize: Users can create forms with a wide range of field types, including text, numbers, dates, and even images and videos. This allows for the creation of forms that they are tailored to specific needs and requirements.
2. Collaborative: SharePoint forms allow multiple users to collaborate and work on the same form simultaneously, allowing for efficient data collection and collaboration.
3. Seamless integration: SharePoint Forms integrate seamlessly with other SharePoint features, such as lists and libraries, making it easy to organize and analyze collected data.
4. Data collection and management: SharePoint forms can be used to collect and manage data from different sources in a centralized location.
5. Accessibility: SharePoint forms can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection, making it easy for remote teams to collaborate.
   
   

‍

Disadvantages of Using SharePoint Forms:

1. Limited customization/design options: While SharePoint forms are easy to create and customize, they may not have as many options. SharePoint Forms are not the most visually appealing and it can be difficult to create forms that are both functional and visually pleasing.
2. Lack of advanced features and functionalities: While SharePoint Forms are great for basic data collection and analysis, they can be lacking in more advanced features such as data validation and custom scripting.
3. Limited integrations: SharePoint forms may have limited integrations with other software and tools.
4. Learning curve: SharePoint forms can have a bit of a learning curve for users who are new to the platform.
5. Limited Mobile Support: SharePoint forms may not provide the best mobile experience, which can be a disadvantage for users who need to fill out forms on the go.

In general, SharePoint Forms are a helpful tool for data collection and analysis, but for more advanced forms, additional software is needed. One such solution is skybow Modern Forms. It is a SharePoint fully integrated add-on that enhances the capabilities of SharePoint Forms. It offers advanced features:

• Fully responsive forms

• Cross-site collection lookups

• Cascading lookups

• Master-Detail sublists

• Enrich controls with logic: visibility/enabled conditions, calculated/default values, field validation, requirement conditions

• Buttons with actions

• Generate documents/reports

• Execute actions on form load

• Add rich text controls

• Use tabs to organize the fields

• Handle complex business logic

• Import/Export form configuration

These features allow users to create forms that are both functional and visually appealing. Additionally, skybow Modern Forms offers the ability to create forms that are responsive to different devices and screen sizes. This ensures that forms can be accessed and completed on any device, making data collection more efficient. If you want to learn how you can use modern forms contact skybow.

In conclusion, SharePoint forms are a great option for organizations looking for an easy-to-use solution for creating and managing forms. However, it also has some limitations as well. It's important to weigh the advantages and disadvantages before making a decision on whether SharePoint forms are the right choice for your organization.