Introduction

As a suite of tools for collecting and analyzing- data, Epi Info™ 7 must support the creation of smart data entry forms that facilitate systematic data collection and perform data validation in real time. These steps are accomplished using Form Designer.  This module's functionality can be divided into two components.  First, Form Layout supports project origination, the structure and relationship of forms, and the selection and positioning of data entry fields on pages, their properties and tab order. Second, Check Code, specifies  the needed input validation, skip patterns, automatic calculation of data, and intelligent field navigation.

Starting with an empty canvas, the user can select data-entry fields including text fields, pull-down menus, check boxes, and radio buttons, as well as a graphic, calendar-driven fields for entering dates and auto-formatting fields for entering data such as phone numbers and times. Titles and supporting text can be added to the form; data fields can be grouped, arranged, and aligned to enhance the form's readability and aesthetics.  A form can contain one or more pages, each corresponding to a database table to be populated using the Enter (data entry) module and processed by Classic Analysis or Visual Dashboard.