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Purpose

This tab screen is used to build configured (Activity, Sample, Specimen, Test) forms for use within your organization. This is where you control what Fields are presented on each Form in Field, Lab, and Quality Control, as well as determine what Fields should display on the final Report and various other Report parameters. 

Adding a Group

Forms are categorized by Groups. Forms can only be associated with one Group. You will need to have at least one Active Group in order to use Activity. To add a Group, choose the Add Group button above the Groups grid. Enter the Group name and select save.

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Working with Templates

By default, you will see a Template group that contains two Forms: Special Inspection and Activity Log. These forms reproduce similar functionality found in Inspections & Observations and Activity Log modules. These templates cannot be altered, but can be copied into a new Form for you to customize. You can always create your own Forms under the Templates group that you can later use as a Template for your organization.

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Adding a New Form

To add a Form, first you must select the appropriate Group to which the From will be assigned. Choose the Group and select the Add Form button. Enter the Form name and choose save.

When the form is added, three fields will default into your Form: Activity Number, Technician and Date. These fields are required by the system and you will not be able to remove them. You can change the field label that will be presented to your users or various other attributes of these fields. You may also choose to not add these default fields to the Report.

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Info
titleActivity Number Default Setting

When Activity Number defaults on a Form, it is automatically configured to assign a new Activity Number that is unique per form and project.

You can change this default setting so numbers are assigned Unique per Form or Unique per Project. You also may remove this setting, which will allow the user the option of adding the Activity Number manually.

 

Creating a New Form from an Existing Form

You have the option of copying an existing Form to create a new Form. When copying a Form, Fields and Field attributes are copied; as well as the Report settings. 

To copy a form, follow the steps below.

 

StepDescriptionExample
1.Find the Form you want to copy and choose the copy icon.Image Removed
2.Copy Form dialogue will open. Enter the new Form name and select the appropriate Group to which the new Form should belong.Image Removed
3.

Select the fields you would like copied.

The default fields for Activity Number, Technician and Date must be copied when creating a new Form.

Info
titleDefault Settings

For the fields that default on a Form, the Field Settings show below will also default when you are creating a new form.
You may alter this default behavior by removing or altering the Field Setting.

Activity Number - Unique per form per project

Date - Default the system date

Technician - Default to the current logged in user

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4.Select Save.Image Removed

 

 . You can also create Reports for your Forms from this screen. The Form Designer screen is shared by Activity, Sample Tracking and Lab Test Forms. Depending upon the context of the Form you are working with you may see some differences in the controls and settings available to you.

Accessing Form Designer

Select the hyperlink Form name to open Form Designer. 

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Predefined Forms

There may be some preconfigured Forms for your use. Depending upon the context of these forms, some of the controls, such as the ability to Create A Report, Modify / Add Fields, Alter Field Settings, are not available to you. This is done in order to preserve the integrity of the data and Form structure. Custom Forms that you build yourself will have all controls available to you so you can tailor a form to suite your specific business needs. Refer to the specific context area for the Form you are working with for more information.

Form Settings

Some forms will have some optional settings that can be set. For example, when creating a Sample form, you can define which specimen sizes are related to that particular type of sample. This allows the system to pre-filter the specimen sizes presented to the user based on the context of the sample. Another example would be creating a relationship between a Test form and a Sample form. Form Settings are accessed from the button bar after you select a form you want to edit.

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Form TypeSetting NameDescription
ActivityAllow WBS
  • Short for Work Breakdown Structure
  • Allows the specifications of the WBS levels within the Billing Cost section of DIY forms
  • If "Require WBS" is checked, then at least the first WBS level must be entered before saving the form
Batch Data Entry
  • Configures the grid columns presented when doing batch data entry for multiple (like) forms
Info
  • Data Grid fields are not supported with the batch Data Entry feature. These fields should not be added when configuring this feature on a form.
  • Any expression evaluation will require all fields to be part of the data grid
  • Using / evaluating fields on a "parent" form is not supported
  • Any fields not part of the batch configuration will not be created on the form record


Capture Costs
  • Turns on the ability to capture field costs that are associated with the form record
  • Form specific costs can be added in the form settings after enabling "Capture Costs"
Density Test - Bituminous Nuclear Gauge
  • Automatically creates / applies a number of system fields necessary to do a BNG density test using an Activity form
Density Test - Sand Cone
  • Automatically creates / applies a number of system fields necessary to do a Density Sand Cone test using an Activity form
Density Test - Soil Nuclear Gauge
  • Automatically creates / applies a number of system fields necessary to do a SNG density test using an Activity form
Prevent Edits In Field Complete Or Review Status
  • Once a PM or other authorized user changes the status of the form to Complete or Review, the technician who intially filled out the form. can't make changes to it.
QC Search Results
  • Configures the form-specific columns to display when filtering a QC grid to a specific form
Unit System
  • Assigns a unit of measure (Imperial / Metric) to a form and is used to return the applicable specification values for that unit of measure
Sample


Allow WBS
  • Short for Work Breakdown Structure
  • Allows the specifications of the WBS levels within the Billing Cost section of DIY forms
  • If "Require WBS" is checked, then at least the first WBS level must be entered before saving the form
Bypass LIMS Test Assignment
  • Allows the system to bypass the Tests To Assignment workflow step in the LIMS queues
  • Can be set at the Sample Type level for Sample forms with the CGM Sample Specification form setting
Capture Costs
  • Turns on the ability to capture field costs that are associated with the form record
  • Form specific costs can be added in the form settings after enabling "Capture Costs".
CGM Default Test
  • Selected test form defaults in the Test pick list inside the Lab Instructions data grid
  • User can only see / select tests where the material for the test matches the material for the sample form
CGM Sample Specification
  • Requires the user to pick a CGM Sample Type
  • Creates input fields for Location, Supplier, Plant, and Mix Design
  • Creates a specification section containing CGM specification fields based on the sample type
Hide Scheduling Prompt
  • Removes the scheduling prompt that appears after saving a Sample Form
  • If the Form Designer selects "Always Answer 'Yes'", the form will be added to Scheduling
  • If the Form Designer selects "Always Answer 'No'", the form will not be added to Scheduling
One Specimen Sample
  • Forces the sample to only have one specimen associated with it
QC Search Results
  • Configures columns that display in QC grid when you filter the grid in QC to a specific form
Specimen Sizes
  • Allows for control over which specimen sizes can be used with a sample form
  • One or more specimen sizes can be associated with the form
  • All specimen sizes available if this setting is not used
Sample Material
  • Associates a sample form to a material
Turn Off Specimen Retrieval
  • Turns off the question regarding scheduling (in the Scheduling system) a future specimen retrieval
Unit System
  • Assigns a unit of measure (Imperial / Metric) to a form and is used to return the applicable specification values for that unit of measure
TestTest Material
  • Associates the test form to one or many materials
Allow WBS
  • Short for Work Breakdown Structure
  • Allows the specifications of the WBS levels within the Billing Cost section of DIY forms
  • If "Require WBS" is checked, then at least the first WBS level must be entered before saving the form
  • There is an optional checkbox to Default WBS from Sample. If this is checked, then the test form will populate with the associated sample's WBS values. Even if this is checked, the user still has the option to edit the values in the test form
Batch Data Entry
  • Configures the grid columns presented when doing batch data entry for multiple (like) forms
Info
  • Data Grid fields are not supported with the batch Data Entry feature. These fields should not be added when configuring this feature on a form.
  • Any expression evaluation will require all fields to be part of the data grid
  • Using / evaluating fields on a "parent" form is not supported
  • Any fields not part of the batch configuration will not be created on the form record


Billing Code
  • Default billing code for the test
Billing Quantity
  • Default billing quantity for the test
Capture Costs
  • Turns on the ability to capture lab costs that are associated with the test form record
  • Form specific costs can be added in the form settings after enabling "Capture Costs".
Cost
  • Default (billed) test cost for executing the test
LIMS - Post-Test Search Results
  • Dictates the columns presented in the Testable and To Test queues in LIMS
LIMS - Pre-Test Search Results
  • Dictates the columns presented in the To Review and Done queues in LIMS
Material Specification
  • Associates the test form to one or many material specifications
Remove Specification Limit Operators From Reports
  • Removes the specification range limit operators when displayed on a report (i.e. 65 - 90 will display instead of >=65 - <90)
Standard
  • Default standard the test adheres to (i.e. ASTM standard number)
Test Default Specimen Size
  • Default specimen size for the test that will be assigned in the test assignment process
Test Duration
  • Default duration (days) it takes to execute the test
Test List

Evaluation

Batch Data Entry
  • Configures the grid columns presented when doing batch data entry for multiple (like) forms
Info
  • Data Grid fields are not supported with the batch Data Entry feature. These fields should not be added when configuring this feature on a form.
  • Any expression evaluation will require all fields to be part of the data grid
  • Using / evaluating fields on a "parent" form is not supported
  • Any fields not part of the batch configuration will not be created on the form record


QC Search Results
Safety

Batch Data Entry

  • Configures the grid columns presented when doing batch data entry for multiple (like) forms
Info
  • Data Grid fields are not supported with the batch Data Entry feature. These fields should not be added when configuring this feature on a form.
  • Any expression evaluation will require all fields to be part of the data grid
  • Using / evaluating fields on a "parent" form is not supported
  • Any fields not part of the batch configuration will not be created on the form record


QC Search Results

Adding New Form Fields

To add a new Form field, choose the Form and select Add Field. You will then need to set the various parameters for your Field.

Field Parameters

FieldDescription
 

Label
  • When displayed in Field, in Quality Control or on a report, this is what your field will be called
  • Required field
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Type
  • Select the Field Type from the drop-down list
  • Once your field is saved, the Field Type cannot be changed
  • Required field
System Name
  • Cannot be repeated on the Form
  • Can be repeated on different Forms
  • Used by the system to identify the field for use in searching and returning results (see Search / Results Display)
  • Only letters and numbers are accepted
  • Spaces are not allowed
  • If left blank, will automatically be populated with the label, but without spaces and other invalid characters
  • Display Options
  • Choose if you want your field to display in Field or Quality Control
  • Choose if you want your field to be editable Field or Quality Control

    WarningNote: Quality Control users can add Activity records directly from Quality Control. When adding an Activity record via Quality Control, the QC settings apply.
    • System Name will be suggested real-time as you enter your Label name (suggestion can be changed if needed)
    Is Required
    • Makes the field required when entering data on the form
    Use As Placeholder
    • Fields where this is turned on can be used as placeholder values when defining default Report Description values or other areas form-based dynamic placeholders are used
    Settings
    • Depending on the Field Type different settings options will appear.
    • For more information on working with Field settings, see

    Activity
    • Form Designer - Field Settings.

      Info

      If the field you are working with is a Multiple Choice or Pick List Field Type and you have added two or more options, a Reorder Options button will appear.

      This button will allow you to configure the order in which your options will appear. By default, options are presented to Field and Quality Control users in alphabetical order.


    Rules
    • Various rules can be applied depending on the Field Type
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    • selected
    • For more information on working with Field Rules, see
    Activity - Field Rules

    Field Types

    TypeFunctionality
    Example
    Chart
    • Used to generate a proctor curve chart (only) with an optional zero air voids line
    • Based on a data grid data source
    Chart - Scatter Plot
    • Used to generate a scatter plot chart
    • Trendline options can be defined
    • Logarithmic or linear X scales can be used
    • Based on a data grid data source
    Data Grid
    • The data grid is simply a container for multiple fields presented in a tabular grid
    • Users are able to add multiple entries to a data grid - each entry represents a record or row in the data grid on the report
    • The fields in the data grid represent the columns on the report
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    Warning

    The number of fields, as well as the complexity of the field constructions, can effect form load times and report generation speed.

    Should you run into these issues, we recommend reducing the number of fields contained inside the data grid.


    Date
    • User is presented a date field with a date picker
    Information
    • User is presented a colored box with text in it
    • Useful in communicating instructions, reminders, warnings, etc.
    • Color of box can be configured - green, blue, orange, red
    • Use the Default Value field property to define the text you want to appear in the colored box
    Lat / Long
    • Control is exposed in a mobile device that allows for the capture of the device's latitude and longitude
    • Control can be exposed in a Data Grid also
    Multiple Choice
    • User is presented with a list of values to select from
    • More than one value can be selected
    Tip

    Useful for site checklists or settings where multiple conditions need to be disclosed.


    Number
    • User is presented a number field
    • Decimal places can be defined
    Pick List
    • User is presented with a list of values to select from
    • Only one value can be selected
    • Status setting used to hide / inactivate values that are no longer applicable
    • Deleting pick list values only allowed if value has not been used on a record
    Warning

    Do not use double quotes when adding picklist options. This can cause issues downstream if you are referencing these options in a visualization/calculation rule on your form.


    Section
    • Similar to Data Grids, this field type is a container for other fields
    • Presents to the user as a separate screen (in Field) or grouping (in Quality Control)
    TextArea
    • Fields contained within a section can be added to an Activity Report the same way as any field added to the main Form
    • Grids and Nested Data Grids can be added to Section fields
    Text Area
    • User is presented with a
    short
    • several line block for text entry (numbers, letters, symbols, etc.)
    • Can define the maximum character length
    TextBox
    • Allows text to be formatted
    Tip

    It is recommended that all formatting be applied directly in the Text Area field or copy the text from a plain text editor like Notepad. Copying text from Word usually retains some HTML formatting contained in the Word file and can cause undesired formatting in the rich text Text Area fields. For repetitive needs to copy / paste text, it is recommended that customers use text libraries in MetaField to insert commonly-used paragraphs of text.


    Text Box
    • User is presented with a
    several
    • short line
    block
    • for text entry (numbers, letters, symbols, etc.)
    • Can define the maximum character length
    Time
    • User is presented a time field with a time picker
    Upload
    • User is presented an image upload option
    • Users cannot upload files larger than 25MB
    Yes / No
    • User is presented with a simple Yes / No response

    Coping Form Fields

    MetaField allows you to copy Fields from one From to another Form. You can also copy Fields into the same form to which you are currently working. To copy Form Fields, follow the steps below.

    StepDescriptionExample
    1.Select the copy icon to the right of the Form from which you wish to copy fields.Image Removed
    2.

    Select the Group you want to work with.

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    3.

    If you want to copy the fields into an existing Form, select the appropriate Form.

    If you want to create a new Form, enter the new Form name,

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    4.

    Select the Fields you want copied.

    Tip

    Technician, Date and Activity number are required on all new Forms.

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    5.Select Save to copy the chosen Fields.Image Removed
    Fraction
    • User is presented with an optional whole number field plus required numerator and denominator fields
    Warning

    While mixed fractional numbers can be used in calculations, the system does not simplify the calculated
    result of the expression containing fraction fields. Be aware of this when planning your use of Fraction fields.


    Reordering Form Fields

    The order in which Fields display on the Form Designer tab is the order in which they will be presented to the user for data entry in Field and , Lab, or Quality Control. To change the order of the fields, select the Reorder Fields button and then click and drag the fields into a new order.

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    Moving Forms to a New Group

    You can move Forms from one Group to another Group by selecting the scissors icon next to the Form. Next you will need to select the Group to which you would like your Form moved.

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    Moving Fields to a New Location in Form

    You can move a Field from the Main Form to inside of a Data Grid or Section Field. Likewise, you can also move Section and Data Grid Fields to other Sections, Data Grids or the Main Form.

    Warning
    iconfalse
    A Field can only be moved if it has not previously been used on

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    a record. 

    To move a field, select the moved icon next to the Field. Then select the location to which you want your field moved.

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    Creating and Accessing Reports

    When you are working with Activity Forms or Lab Test forms, a Report Designer button will display. To access all the reports that use your Form or to add a new Report select this button.

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    Info
    titleCreating a New Report

    When you choose Add New Report, you will first need to supply the Report Name, Code and Default title. After this information is input, you will be moved

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    into the Report Designer.

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    Copying Forms

    Forms can be copied, if needed. When copying forms, the underlying report template will copy along with giving you the option to include / exclude inactive fields contained on the form.

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