Generate a Form from a Microsoft Excel File

This topic shows how to create your eForm from an Excel file, and configure the fields for your eForm created with GenAI.

Background and Setup

Examples

Prerequisites

Good to Know

  • GenAI creates the form fields based on the uploaded file or the form description you entered. You can add, change, and delete fields based on your business requirements.
  • You can drag the form fields to change the order.
  • An entity from Data Entities is like a database table that stores the data for your app. Most apps only have one entity. More complex apps may have one or more secondary entities.
  • If you use GenAI to create a form, the data source is Data Entities.

    If you want to use a different data source, on the Do you want AI to create your form? screen, select Auto-Generate Form Based On A Data Source.

  • You can use a Microsoft Excel file as a template for your form. The Excel file must meet these requirements:
    • The file cannot be larger than 10 MB.
    • Only the first sheet is considered.
    • The first row is considered the field name.

How to Start

  1. Create an app.

    For more information, refer to Create an app.

  2. On the Do you want AI to create your form? screen, click Create Form With AI.

    Click Create Form With AI
  3. Click Next.
  4. On the How do you want the AI to create the form? screen, click Excel.

    Click Excel
  5. Click Next.

Select the repository that contains your form's template screen (Excel)

Specifies the location of the Microsoft Excel file for your form template.

Figure 1. Select the repository that contains your form's template screen

Select the repository that contains your forms template screen

Fields

Field NameDefinition

Upload File
Function:
Specifies a Microsoft Excel file that stores the data to create an eForm.

You can drag the Excel file from your local machine.

Allowed Values:
An Excel file where the columns in a table represent input fields for a task form.

Click Upload File to select a file from your local machine.

The file must follow the business rules for GenAI.

Default Value:
None

Box
Opens this Screen:
Document Repository for Box
Function of this Screen:
Specifies the location of your file in Box.

Google Drive
Opens this Screen:
Document Repository for Google Drive
Function of this Screen:
Specifies the location of your file in Google Drive.

OneDrive
Opens this Screen:
Document Repository for OneDrive
Function of this Screen:
Specifies the location of your file in OneDrive.

OneDrive For Business
Opens this Screen:
Document Repository for OneDrive for Business
Function of this Screen:
Specifies the location of your file in OneDrive for Business.

SharePoint
Opens this Screen:
Document Repository for SharePoint
Function of this Screen:
Specifies the location of your file in SharePoint.

Review the data fields for your app screen

Configures the fields for your eForm.

Figure 2. Review the data fields for your app screen

Review the data fields for your app screen

Fields

Field NameDefinition

Select All
Description:
Selects all the fields.
Allowed Values:
  • Selected - Selects all the form fields.
  • Deselected - Deselects all the form fields.

Name
Description:
Specifies the text label for the field that displays on the form.
Allowed Values:
One line of text (a string).

Accepted:

  • Letters
  • Numbers
  • Spaces
  • Special characters
Default Value:
The field name specified in the imported file.

ID
Description:
Specifies a unique, technical name for the form field.

When you enter the value in the Name field, this field shows the value you entered in the Name field with no spaces.

Allowed Values:
One line of text (a string).

Accepted:

  • Letters
  • Numbers
Default Value:
Shows the value in the Name field with no space.

Data Type
Description:
Specifies the data type used in the form field.
Allowed Values:
A data type from the list.
Default Value:
Shows a data type interpreted for the field from the imported file.

Field Type
Description:
Specifies the type of form control used for the field.
Allowed Values:
A form control from the list.
Default Value:
A form control type that is interpreted from the input.

For example, a field called "Amount" might be assigned a Currency form control.

Regenerate
Description:
Deletes the changes and restores the default values for the form.

Apply Layout
Opens this Screen:
Apply Fields Layout screen
Description:
Specifies a file that depicts a form layout, and it applies the layout to the eForm.
Example:
Refer to:

Add Field Add Field icon
Function:
Adds a row for a new field.

Delete Field Delete Field icon
Function:
Deletes the selected row from the fields list.

Configure Picklist Configure Picklist icon
Opens this Screen:
Configure Picklist screen
Description:
Configures a picklist with GenAI.
Example:
Refer to:
Limitations:
This field shows only if the data type for the field is Picklist.

Configure Child Table Configure Child Table icon
Opens this Screen:
Configure child entity fields screen
Description:
Configures the form fields for fields that are formatted as a table in the uploaded file.
Limitations:
This field shows only if the data type for the field is Table.

Mark as Mandatory
Description:
Specifies whether the form field is required.
Allowed Values:
  • Selected - The field must have a value.
  • Deselected - A value is not required for the field.
Default Value:
The value configured for the field.

Number Of Columns
Description:
Specifies the number of columns to show on the eForm.
Allowed Values:
An integer.

Range:

  • 1-10
Default Value:
2

Show Line Break Fields
Description:
Specifies whether to group the form fields based on the column layout on the form template you upload.
Allowed Values:
  • Selected - Groups the form fields with horizontal line breaks based on the column layout shown in the uploaded file.

    If you create the fields with the Excel or Generate using AI options, the fields are grouped based on the number of columns specified in the Number Of Columns field.

  • Deselected - Groups the form fields in a single list in the order shown in the uploaded file, as it reads left to right.
Default Value:
Deselected
Example:
Refer to:

Apply Fields Layout screen

Specifies a file that depicts a form layout, and it applies the layout to the eForm.

Figure 3. Apply Fields Layout screen

Apply Fields Layout screen

Good to Know

  • You can use a file that represents a form layout, and the system applies the layout to your form.

    The supported file types are .pdf, .png, .jpg, and .jpeg.

Fields

Field NameDefinition

Upload Layout Template File
Function:
Specifies a file that depicts a form layout, and it applies the layout to the eForm.

You can drag the file from your local machine.

Allowed Values:
A PDF or an image file that shows a form layout.

Click Upload File to select a file from your local machine.

The file can be one of these types:

  • .pdf
  • .png
  • .jpg
  • .jpeg
Default Value:
None
Example:
Refer to:

Configure Picklist > Generate With AI screen

Configures a picklist with GenAI.

Figure 4. Configure Picklist > Generate With AI screen

Configure Picklist screen

Good to Know

  • This screen applies to the Generate With AI option on the Configure Picklist screen. For the Select Picklist option, refer to Configure Picklist > Select Picklist screen.

How to Start

  1. On the Review the data fields for your app screen, in the Data Type field, select Picklist.
  2. Click Configure Configure icon.

Fields

Field NameDefinition

Select Option To Configure Picklist
Description:
Specifies whether to create a picklist with GenAI.
Allowed Values:
  • Generate With AI - GenAI creates the picklist based on input the app designer provides as a prompt.
  • Select Picklist – Uses a picklist that exists in AgilePoint NX.

    For more information, refer to Configure Picklist > Select Picklist screen.

Default Value:
Generate With AI
Example:
Refer to:

Picklist Description
Description:
Specifies a text prompt to create a picklist.

Describe the purpose of the picklist with as much detail and as accurately as possible.

Allowed Values:
More than one line of text.
Default Value:
None

Generate
Description:
Creates a picklist.

GenAI creates the picklist based on the picklist description the app designer enters as a prompt.

Display Name
Description:
Specifies the name that shows for the picklist.
To Open this Field:
  1. Click Generate.
Allowed Values:
One line of text (a string).

Accepted:

  • Letters
  • Numbers
  • Spaces
  • Special characters
Default Value:
None

Internal Name
Description:
Specifies a unique, technical name for the picklist.
To Open this Field:
  1. Click Generate.
Allowed Values:
One line of text (a string).

Accepted:

  • Letters
  • Numbers
Default Value:
None

Name
Description:
Specifies the name that shows for the picklist item.
To Open this Field:
  1. Click Generate.
Allowed Values:
One line of text (a string).

Accepted:

  • Letters
  • Numbers
  • Spaces
  • Special characters
Default Value:
None

Value
Description:
Specifies a unique, technical name for the picklist item.
To Open this Field:
  1. Click Generate.
Allowed Values:
One line of text (a string).

Accepted:

  • Letters
  • Numbers
Default Value:
None

Add Field
Function:
Adds a row for the Name and Value fields.

Delete Field Delete Field icon
Description:
Deletes the specified picklist item.

Save
Function:
Saves the configuration for the picklist.

Configure Picklist > Select Picklist screen

Configures the picklist that exists in AgilePoint NX.

Figure 5. Configure Picklist > Select Picklist screen

Configure Picklist screen

Good to Know

  • This screen applies to the Select Picklist option on the Configure Picklist screen. For the Generate With AI option, refer to Configure Picklist > Generate With AI screen.

How to Start

  1. On the Review the data fields for your app screen, in the Data Type field, select Picklist.
  2. Click Configure Configure icon.

Fields

Field NameDefinition

Select Option To Configure Picklist
Description:
Specifies whether to create a picklist with GenAI.
Allowed Values:
  • Generate With AI - GenAI creates the picklist based on input the app designer provides as a prompt.

    For more information, refer to Configure List Options > Generate With AI screen.

  • Select Picklist – Uses a picklist that exists in AgilePoint NX.
Default Value:
Generate With AI
Example:
Refer to:

Picklist
Description:
Specifies a picklist to configure to a form field.
Allowed Values:
A picklist from the list.
Default Value:
None

Name
Description:
Shows the name for the picklist item.
To Open this Field:
  1. In the Picklist field, select a picklist.
Allowed Values:
Read only.

Value
Description:
Shows the unique, technical name for the picklist item.
To Open this Field:
  1. In the Picklist field, select a picklist.
Allowed Values:
Read only.

Save
Function:
Saves the configuration for the picklist.

Configure List Options screen

Full documentation coming soon.

Figure 6. Configure List Options screen

Configure List Options screen

How to Start

  1. On the Review the data fields for your app screen, in the Data Type field, select Text.
  2. In the Field Type field, select one of these:
    • Check Box
    • Switch
    • Radio Button
    • Drop-Down List
    • List Box
    • Multi-Select List Box
  3. Click Configure Configure icon.

Configure child entity fields screen

Configures the form fields for fields that are formatted as a table in the uploaded file.

Figure 7. Configure child entity fields screen

Configure Picklist screen

Good to Know

  • This screen shows only if your eForm has fields formatted as a table.
  • If the uploaded file has a table, GenAI creates a Subform, Data Grid, or Comments form control.

    The control type is specified in the Field Type field on the Review the data fields for your app screen.

How to Start

  1. On the Review the data fields for your app screen, in the Data Type field, select Table.
  2. Click Configure Configure icon.

Fields

Field NameDefinition

Select All
Description:
Selects all the fields.
Allowed Values:
  • Selected - Selects all the form fields.
  • Deselected - Deselects all the form fields.

Name
Description:
Specifies the text label for the field that displays on the form.
Allowed Values:
One line of text (a string).

Accepted:

  • Letters
  • Numbers
  • Spaces
  • Special characters
Default Value:
The field name specified in the imported file.

ID
Description:
Specifies a unique, technical name for the form field.

When you enter the value in the Name field, this field shows the value you entered in the Name field with no spaces.

Allowed Values:
One line of text (a string).

Accepted:

  • Letters
  • Numbers
Default Value:
Shows the value in the Name field with no space.

Data Type
Description:
Specifies the data type used in the form field.
Allowed Values:
A data type from the list.
Default Value:
Shows a data type interpreted for the field from the imported file.

Field Type
Description:
Specifies the type of form control used for the field.
Allowed Values:
A form control from the list.
Default Value:
A form control type that is interpreted from the input.

For example, a field called "Amount" might be assigned a Currency form control.

Add Field Add Field icon
Function:
Adds a row for a new field.

Delete Field Delete Field icon
Function:
Deletes the selected row from the fields list.

Configure Picklist Configure Picklist icon
Opens this Screen:
Configure Picklist screen
Description:
Configures a picklist with GenAI.
Example:
Refer to:
Limitations:
This field shows only if the data type for the field is Picklist.

Mark as Mandatory
Description:
Specifies whether the form field is required.
Allowed Values:
  • Selected - The field must have a value.
  • Deselected - A value is not required for the field.
Default Value:
The value configured for the field.

Generate Fields with AI
Description:
Creates the form fields for the subform with GenAI.

Opens the Generate Child Table Fields screen where you can enter a description of the subform as a prompt in a text box. GenAI creates the form fields based on common field types for the subform description you entered.

Set up your primary entity screen

Configures the primary entity for your app.

Figure 8. Set up your primary entity screen

Set up your primary entity screen

Fields

Field NameDefinition

Entity Display Name
Description:
Specifies the name that shows for the primary entity.
Allowed Values:
One line of text (a string).

Accepted:

  • Letters
  • Numbers
  • Spaces
  • Special characters
Default Value:
None
Example:
Refer to:

Entity Name
Description:
Specifies a unique, technical name for the primary entity.

When you enter a value in the Entity Display Name field, the field shows the value specified in the Entity Display Name field with no spaces. After this name is created, it can not be changed.

Allowed Values:
One line of text (a string).

Accepted:

  • Letters
  • Numbers
Default Value:
None

Description
Description:
Specifies an optional text description for the primary entity.
Allowed Values:
More than one line of text.
Default Value:
None

Primary Field
Description:
Specifies the primary field for the primary entity.
Allowed Values:
A form field from the list.
Default Value:
None
Example:
Refer to:

Set up secondary entity screen

Configures the related entity for your app.

Figure 9. Set up secondary entity screen

Set up secondary entity screen

Good to Know

  • This screen shows only if your eForm has fields formatted as a table.
  • A secondary entity stores data for form fields that are formatted as a table in the uploaded file. A secondary entity is sometimes referred to as a related entity.

Fields

Field NameDefinition

Entity Display Name
Description:
Shows the name of the related entity that has a relationship with the primary entity.
Allowed Values:
Read only.

Entity Name
Description:
Shows a unique, technical name for the related entity.
Allowed Values:
Read only.

Description
Description:
Specifies an optional text description for the related entity.
Allowed Values:
More than one line of text.
Default Value:
None

Primary Field
Description:
Specifies the primary field for the related entity.
Allowed Values:
A form field from the list.
Default Value:
None

Parent Primary Field
Description:
Specifies the primary field for the primary entity where you want to create a relationship.
Allowed Values:
A form field from the list.
Default Value:
None

Relationship Name
Description:
Specifies the text label that shows for the relationship in the entity.
Allowed Values:
One line of text (a string).

Accepted:

  • Letters
  • Numbers
Default Value:
None

Child Field Display Name
Description:
Specifies the dependent field for an entity that is a child of the related entity.
Allowed Values:
One line of text (a string).

Accepted:

  • Letters
  • Numbers
  • Spaces
  • Special characters
Default Value:
None

Child Field Name
Description:
Specifies a unique, technical name for the dependent field.

When you enter the value in the Child Field Display Name field, this field shows the value you entered in the Child Field Display Name field with no spaces.

Allowed Values:
One line of text (a string).

Accepted:

  • Letters
  • Numbers
Default Value:
None