WebApps Archives - Homeprenuer®, Entrepreneur working from home.

We have been experimenting with forms & views in zoho creator. Now you must have quite a few forms & views which when put together make a fine application. Did you know that you can create custom dashboards using HTML views in Zoho Creator?

HTML views are nothing but blank HTML pages into which you can insert your form’s field variables. So they make excellent dashboards, presenting dynamic reports based on user selected criteria, so on and so forth.

To give you a peek into which what HTML views are capable of doing, take a look at the demo. Eg:- you will be greeted with your username at zoho. This is achieved by using the <%zohologinuser%> tag. If you explore the fetch records & collection variables, you will be able to see the dynamic nature of these Html views.

View Demo here

The application, displays the dashboard by default. This is done by using the various options under the customise menu. Create a hidden section and place master views to hide them from display.

HTML views support all HTML tags. In the dashboard I have inserted images, and also included the HTML view from my private application. You can also insert forms / views directly using the Form- View snippet, or use the IFrame to embed permalink of your forms & views. I have a zoho creator form embedded in another html view called Request a Tutorial. ( Home tab – drop down)

The above form is located within my private application. I am using the “Embed without login” iframe snippet code to display in the html page. So, the data submitted will go to my private application & will not be available for all to see.

Next Week’s post – How to set up your custom bulk mail options using zoho creator Your appreciation is my motivation

January 8, 2009October 11, 2018

Zoho Creator Tutorial – Part 5 Introducing Deluge Script

Now that you are familiar with the basics of zoho creator, lets dig our hands into their deluge scripting. During the time when we were working on my Visual Basic application & Java applets, each one of us would have our own way of locating a specific piece of code that we might want to use in our application.

However, with zoho creator’s deluge script, it doesn’t mater a even haven’t programmed anything beyond your TV for the various channels. Because, they have made programming as simple as drag and drop. How,..?. Read along.

Know where to write the code.

As of now, lets concentrate on the SCRIPT –> FORMS
As we move on to views & Functions, we will be looking at other tabs
You can use the drop down arrow to choose any form within your application.

As we developing our guest book, we will open the Guest Bool – FORM in the script tab. After this you should be seeing this

Here, the script does what it exactly says just there. For our application’s sake, let us Add code to AUTOMATICALLY ADD THE DATE within the date field , so that the users dont have to type / select the date. Further, it would also help to know who visited when.I have already added the code in FORM –> LOAD , which is why you see a green dot ín the above pic.

What to write / How to write ‘code’ ?
(A) You might want to say “When the form loads”
— Translated, you will have to write the code on Form –> On Add –> On Load.
— If you clicked in the same order, you should be seeing this. Use the prev image and the one below to locate

(B) You might want to say “ Add todays date automatically ”
— Translating , this would mean something like this
i.Set the Date-Field
ii.To Todays Date
— So you should be doing this

Scroll down a bit and locate the SET VARIABLE. ( Use the image below for guidance
Drag and drop it on to the coding area.
As soon as you drop it, & if you hover the mouse, you should be seeing an EDIT &
DELETE button.

(C).How to set the value for the date field. ?
As soon as you click on Edit, you will be presented with a dialog box
Notice that the declare variable is a drop down variable. – From this select the Date field

As for the actual value , we will be using a variable called the ZOHO – currentdate It is as simple as saying x = 5. You will be telling your application that every time the form loads, just give the current date’s value to my date field. For this, you will have to
1. Select the ZOHO VARIABLES ( Tab)
2. Scroll down a bit .. until you locate the zoho.current date.
3. Click DONE – & you will see this

Wait !!! — The code is not saved yet, It is only generated – So you will have to scroll down and click SAVE SCRIPT at the right bottom corner You will see a green band that says, Script modified.
Now you are ready to go.

Access your application – psst !! … Use the Acess thisApplication Link at the top.
Do you see the date automatically coming up in the date field … ? Great .. You have successfully Coded your application

Now, I have a practice assignment for you. After the form loads & zoho’s current date is performed, disable the date field.
Now that every step has been demonstrated with screen shots, I shall be providing only guidelines. You will have to look for them in the order specified. It is just that…I am feeling lazy to do the screen shots again ..

How to do this ?: –
Form –> On Load –> Drag and drop –> Disable field –> Select Disable – option –> select date field –> Done
Save Script

How to check this ? –> Acess the application — > You should not be able to change the date manually.

Your appreciation is my motivation

December 3, 2008October 11, 2018

Zoho Creator Tutoral Series – Coming Up

I hope you remember my earlier post 5 months back, Zoho Creator :- Only intuition, no programming. (You couldn’t have missed it, coz I didn’t really post anything after that). As promised, I am here again with the intention having a zoho creator series for all those who are not afraid to try.

Not all are programming experts and not every one can say the difference between relative fields and relational databases I get confused more than i am credited for .. thats the way it is . So, this is for the common man, who can read write and understand English. You see.. Zoho creator is in english & I am blogging about it in english…Oh!.. btw, they have a Japanese version of the sitetoo.. but “iie – arigato gozaimus” .. I don’t speak anymore than this in Japanese.

The idea is to walk you through the process of building an application using zoho creator from scratch.

Walk with me.. let me know if I can be of assistance.

Zoho Creator – What is that ?

Before I answer this question, tell me how extensively do u use MS Excel?. The reason I ask is, a layman’s concept with zoho creator is somewhat based on based on this. Hmm.. lets see… the rows and columns reduce half the work load. The auto filter in excel allows you to sort / organise your data. Perhaps you are even familiar with using formulas ( basic math – to – advanced formulas). Lets say we have an excel sheet like this & call it Guestbook.

Date	Name	Email	BlogUrl	Comments

But, if you want to gather data using excel, then you would have mail it as an attachment ,OR share it as excel sheet with other users using some file sharing platform. This will work great, if you know who is going to use them. Plus, you have to be sure that the people who are using this excel are within your network and trustworthy… That is to say, the “data is private among trusted users ” & “there is no way to gather data outside this small network of friends”…

So, ….Are you with me so far ????..

Now, think about this. You have a Form & this form reflect the “structure” of the YOUR excel sheet.

This has all the elements that you want the user to add. Yet, none of them can see the actual data. Now, this is your “web form” that you have customised to suit your needs. So what happens next, You can either embed this form within your website As Shown above , or share the permalinks of the form via email. (There is more to sharing.. .lessons follow…)

What zoho creator does is to “allow you to create forms” using their WYSIWYG editor. (.. lessons follow..) And, this also allows you to view / edit the data collected via these forms at Zoho Creator. ( .. lessons follow…)

In short – Zoho creator allows you to build custom database application using WYSIWYG editor.But, inorder to start, you need to Signup with Zoho Creator. So go ahead, Register yourself and get a login, You may also signin wiht your Google Account.

Thats pretty much for the introduction,
See you soon with your login at zoho creator.
Your appreciation is my motivation

July 17, 2008October 11, 2018

Zoho Creator :- Only intuition, no programming.

It has been a while since I posted anything here. I was waiting for something worthy enough that is usable and feasible. I must say, my wait did not go in vain. I came across Zoho Creator, and have been trying it out for the past 6 months before making my first post about it here. I proudly admit the fact that I have integrated Zoho into my actual working environment, which has taken the load of report maintenance off my shoulders. These days, I spend only 2 hrs a week to consolidate my report. I use the free version, but sure have the plan to switch to business version soon enough.

Zoho Creator is one of the many products in the Zoho Family. ( I shall be talking about each of them in upcoming posts). ZC allows you to create forms that can be embedded in website and blogs ( see below). The data collected via this form is stored within your Zoho-View section

The advantage of Zoho lies in the fact that

There is no huge download or installation.. Because this is a WEB APPLICATION
The Registration is free
You need not have any programming knowledge
The interface is exceptionally intuitive
Drag – and – drop allows you to design custom forms
Logical flow of events will guide you to do the scripting.
Embed the form in your blog and collect data
Various choices on how you wish to process the data collected ( HTML, Excel, JASON, AJAX, Pdf , ) for novices and advanced users alike.
The feeds can be integrated into feed readers, HTML displayed wthin iframe,.. possibilities are immense.
Applications can be shared with any number of users ( say you have created the application and want you friend to moderate the content… go ahead and share it)

Here is the catch :-

Only 5 Applications allowed for free users
Unlimited Application for premium users + Custom Logo integration.

What you see below is a Form that acts as my GuestBook. Feel Free to share your thoughts with me.

Application Name : – Personal ( This has abt 8 forms, one is shared with you here)
Form Name : – GuestBook.

All you have to do is, Enter the details and submit. Take a look at the HTML display of data collected using Zoho Form.

I shall tell you more about creating custom forms using Zoho in the coming days.

You can develop a simple form like Guest Book , which has minimum scripting ( auto date ), or , developing a complex form that allows you to generate and send email-verification code right from zoho form, which involves more complex scripting.

Bloggers have long loved interaction with their readers. After all, isn’t that why we enable comments? Here is something to take this level of interaction a step further. How about developing a custom application to cater to your needs?. Well, if you feel lack of programming knowledge, and the mind boggling software installation ( not to mention the price) is pinning you down, not anymore. Try Zoho Creator, I am sure you will eventually end up using it. So, how about hsaring what you have in mind… ? ?

Your appreciation is my motivation

Category: WebApps

Zoho Creator Tutorial – Custom Dashboard using HTML views

Zoho Creator Tutorial – Part 5 Introducing Deluge Script

Zoho Creator Tutoral Series – Coming Up

Zoho Creator :- Only intuition, no programming.