Multi-Type Information Request Center
Mari asked for a form where people can check one or more
checkboxes for their choice of documents and subscriptions.
And, a how-to article so others can do it as well.
The form has checkboxes for these items:
-
An HTML forms tutorial, PDF, sent as an email
attachment.
-
"50 things you can do with Master Form V4,"
a ZIP compressed PDF, sent as an email attachment.
-
Subscribe to Possibilities ezine
-
Subscribe to the WillMaster Update Notices emailed
periodically.
-
This how-to article, sent as an HTML email (minus the working example).
No problem. Master Form V4 And, I like to
write how-to articles.
The same techniques can be used to trigger autoresponders
elsewhere on the Internet, or to insert the content of files
into boilerplate emails before sending. In short, any type
of email-able information can be handled with one form,
whether the information is subscribed, attached, or embedded.
It can be your information central web page.
A Working Example
Here is a working example of the form Mari requested for our web site. The instructions follow.
Step-By-Step Instructions
These instructions show how to duplicate the essence of the form mentioned above. You will, of course, substitute/remove/add elements according to your own requirements before going live.
If you don't already have it, buy Master Form V4 and install it. (We offer free installation for new purchases.) Then, you're ready to follow these instructions.
Step One:
In the directory where Master Form V4 is installed, create a subdirectory named "docarticle".
Step Two:
In subdirectory "docarticle", put the following four email template files. Modify the "from" names and ______@example.com destination addresses to a location where you pick up email.
i. A template for an email to you.
This email is to be sent to you whenever someone uses the form. The pertinent email information is inserted into the form in place of the double-square bracket placeholders.
ii. A template for an email with a PDF file attachment.
This email is to be sent to the address provided by the form user, with file htmlformstutorial.pdf attached. (Change file name htmlformstutorial.pdf to the file you are attaching.)
iii. A template for an email with a ZIP file attachment.
This email is to be sent to the address provided by the form user, with file 50ThingsMFv4.zip attached. (Change file name 50ThingsMFv4.zip to the file you are attaching.)
iv. A template for an HTML email containing a complete article.
This email is to be sent to the address provided by the form user, with a complete article embedded in the email as content. The article is expected to have appropriate HTML formatting tags.
Step Three:
In subdirectory "docarticle", put the files that will be attached to outgoing emails.
In the examples, those are files htmlformstutorial.pdf and 50ThingsMFv4.zip. You may use the same file names, if you wish, or change the file names to something appropriate for what you are attaching.
Note that the file names on the server must match the [[ATTACH... placeholder file names in the email templates.
Step Four:
On a test web page (I am a proponent of testing), put the form below.
Change the action URL and the redirect URL as appropriate.
The two subscription checkboxes cause subscription information to be posted to B-Mailer™. The same thing can be done to any subscription management software on the Internet that will accept subscription information with method POST.
You may, of course, modify, delete, and add checkboxes and other form fields. Update the email templates as appropriate.
If you're using automatic-submission protection, get the code from the Master Form V4 control panel and paste near the end of the form, immediately above the cancel </form> tag.
An Information Central Form
The above has shown you how to create an information central web page form that you can use as the basis upon which to build other, custom information forms.
Question:
Did you find this article interesting and understandable? How can it be improved?
Your response is anonymous.
When done typing, click anywhere outside the box. [more info]
Will Bontrager
©2008 Bontrager Connection, LLC
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