The Question Command - XpressDox

The Question Command in XpressDox Document Automation

With the launch of XpressDox low code, or version 14, the Question command was introduced to simplify the process of template coding. On the XpressDox ribbon click “New Question”, complete the information in the helper and click OK to insert your new fillpoint.

The XpressDox ribbon

Simple steps to inserting an XpressDox Question command:

1. Select the type of question from the drop down list.
2. Type in a Field name.
3. Enter the text as it should appear in the interview.
4. Should the answer that the user supplied appear in the document? There might be a reason you need this question to be captured on the interview, but not used on this document.

Once you have completed your new Question, a fillpoint will be inserted into the template for you.

«Question(Client_FirstName)»

Switching on your paragraph markers in Word will reveal some hidden text in that fillpoint.

«Question(Client_FirstName,Enter the first name of the client,Single-line text,,,,,Client_FirstName,automatic)»
NOTE:

Field names:
A field name, also known as a data element name, may not contain any spaces (any spaces that you do type will be replaced with underscores). Learn more about field names here.

Question text:
The field name is duplicated into the question text. You can leave the text as is, or type some more descriptive text; this is the text that will appear to the user on the interview screen.

Parameters:
Depending on the type of question you choose and what you select under “Show Options”, there may be “blank” parameters i.e. nothing between the commas as shown in the above example.
Editing a Question command manually as opposed to using “Edit Fillpoint” to edit can lead to the incorrect number of parameters, and therefore errors in the template. It is best to use the Question helper to insert a Question command.

Understanding the question types:

Different types of questions can be inserted into the template and these question types will be reflected in the interview. Choose your question type from the list; either a text or number input, a date which will put a calendar control on the interview, a multi-line field for capturing long text, a check box or different types of lists.

Below is an example of an interview containing each of the question types. Each of these were inserted using the Question command.

Show Options:

When using the Question Command, each question type will display a minimal number of inputs that are required to be completed, and further options can be shown by clicking on the Show Options button.

Clicking on Show Options reveals additional options about each question.

The options are as follows:

1. Is this a mandatory field i.e. the user should not be allowed to leave this field unanswered in the interview.
2. Should this field be given an initial value (default text) as the interview starts up?
3. Should this field always be displayed on the interview, or should it adhere to XpressDox’ built in relevance i.e. only display the field if the field is needed.
4. The question text is also known as a Caption. Change the style of the Caption on the interview.

Equivalent commands in full code: