Smart Former 
Version
2.4.1 (last update on Feb 28, 2011)
Rating
Compatibility
Votes
Favoured
60
License
GPLv2 or later
Non-Commercial
Type
Views
230259
Date Added
17 March 2008
Intuitive WYSIWYG drag and drop Joomla form builder. Smart Former is a modern form builder.
N.B. SmartFormer provides ability to create multi-page forms. Yet if your forms are large and if you plan to keep plenty of forms' submissions in DB - we recommend use SmartFormer Gold instead.
New features for v.2.4.1 (security fix):
mosConfig_absolute_path variable removed from source code
New features for v.2.4:
* Default email template, generated basing on your form. Includes all active fields of the form
* When you export data to .csv - you can select the charset
* Export to PDF!!!
* Integrated visual HTML/CSS/PHP editor
* Support of new browsers
Browsers:
**IE6, IE7, IE8
**FireFox 2.0+
**Google Chrome 1.0+
**Safari 3.0+
**Opera 9.5+
New features for v.2.3:
* Ability to copy elements * Group moving elements between pages * Ability to embed your PHP scripts into the form!
* Ability to edit the filled form later for front end users
* Ability for admin to allow or deny the front end editing of the form
* Dynamic variables in emails
* WISIWYG for email templates
* Attachments in emails now allowed
Features:
* Full Joomla! compatibility (1.0.x, 1.5.x, Legacy)
* Full CSS control
* Ability to use JavaScript to control the form behavior!
* Form Printing, Form Reset, Calendar widget!
* CSV Export + Form Cloning + Forms Backup/Upload
* Ability to get the filled forms on specified emails + email notification of the form submitter + email template editor (HTML or Plain text)
* Multi-element drag and drop feature!
* Absolute positioning elements on the form!
* Automated and manual coordinates for each element
* Multi-page form creation
* New menu item creation and binding with the form
* Ability to insert form into a static page (mambot/plugin)
* Ability to insert form into a position as module
* Grid provides sharp and visual alignment
* Ability to customize your language settings!
* 12 main elements for form + file upload
* Many adjustable properties of elements
* Elements grouping (radio-, checkboxes)
* Many types of data validation + immediate error notification
* Preview the form data before submitting
* More Captcha variants
* Ability to keep the filled forms in the database
* Ability to edit filled forms' data by admin
* Ability to filter data in the database
* Determinig IP/Joomla username of the form submitter
* Checking the form's logic
* Browser's session keeping during the form editing
We’ve done complicated development for you to take pleasure in simplicity.The component is so smart that you do not need to know anything. It’ll think itself, giving you the possibility to create with no limitations.
SmartFormer is ideal for newbies having problems with other complex form builders as well as for gurus lacking time for casual oft-recurr
Been using FacileForms on J!1.0.x for ages. On migrating to J!1.5 tried using Breezing Forms but thought I'd look to see if there was a better way. There is!
Out of the box SmartFormer enabled me to very quickly build the forms I needed. However I had a couple of issues with validation localisation and other element usage.
Itoris provide a support tool which is second to none that I have seen. Issues posted on the system have been answered in minutes including being mailed an updated version which fixed my needs. That is truly awesome!
Don't struggle with other form solutions. $25 is nothing compared to the time I've spent trying to get others to work.
Out of the box SmartFormer enabled me to very quickly build the forms I needed. However I had a couple of issues with validation localisation and other element usage.
Itoris provide a support tool which is second to none that I have seen. Issues posted on the system have been answered in minutes including being mailed an updated version which fixed my needs. That is truly awesome!
Don't struggle with other form solutions. $25 is nothing compared to the time I've spent trying to get others to work.
I have tried several form builders, both GNU and commercial.
Well, all I can say - I love Smart Former most.
Several components position themselves as WYSIWYG, yet this one is the only real WYSIWYG.
You simply drag the form's elements on the working place - and that's it.
No need to click on arrows for hundred times to shift and align elements also - just select it and move where you want!
I would mark as well the way the guys work - they hear their customers and include in the next versions the updates asked.
SF becomes more and more complicated as I see - now even advanced users can use it to fasten their job - yet it stays the most intuitive form generator ever.
The only minus I can find for now is the absence of the ability to format the admin's e-mail template, yet I believe this minor drawback in the following release.
Nice work, guys!!
Well, all I can say - I love Smart Former most.
Several components position themselves as WYSIWYG, yet this one is the only real WYSIWYG.
You simply drag the form's elements on the working place - and that's it.
No need to click on arrows for hundred times to shift and align elements also - just select it and move where you want!
I would mark as well the way the guys work - they hear their customers and include in the next versions the updates asked.
SF becomes more and more complicated as I see - now even advanced users can use it to fasten their job - yet it stays the most intuitive form generator ever.
The only minus I can find for now is the absence of the ability to format the admin's e-mail template, yet I believe this minor drawback in the following release.
Nice work, guys!!
After watching the flash presentation i bought it, cause SmartFormer is the easiest way i could imagine to create forms (and is cheap). Just drag n' drop!
The User Guide shows how to put the form as a static page (you can link to a menu), put inside a module or directly in a content item.
But i think some things are missing. I mean, many web forms are just for the user to fill in, so that the user don't need to use a pen, but afterwards print the filled form, and sign (this time with a pen) to mail later or send by fax.
SmartFormer can't do it so i leave it as an upgrade suggestion.
I tried to use Form Preview feature to manage making that possible but it has some problems:
1- Protection Code is previewd (a "Show at Form Preview" checkbox at element properties would be great)
2- Can't translate "Form Preview" and "Close Window" at admin backend
3- There is no Print button
4- There could be an option to show a "Sign here _________________" at the form preview generated window(and translate that "sign here" at admin backend). Or just make it possible to static text (or images) show at form preview.
That or even better just create 2 more "Available Elements" to drag and drop:
1- an element that represents the form already filled in by the user at previous page(s)
2- Print Button
And so that the admin could use those 2 elements (plus static text to write "Sign Here: ____________") at the next page of the form.
I think that would make the extension a must have and the best form extension available. Hope something similar is developed in the next version.
The User Guide shows how to put the form as a static page (you can link to a menu), put inside a module or directly in a content item.
But i think some things are missing. I mean, many web forms are just for the user to fill in, so that the user don't need to use a pen, but afterwards print the filled form, and sign (this time with a pen) to mail later or send by fax.
SmartFormer can't do it so i leave it as an upgrade suggestion.
I tried to use Form Preview feature to manage making that possible but it has some problems:
1- Protection Code is previewd (a "Show at Form Preview" checkbox at element properties would be great)
2- Can't translate "Form Preview" and "Close Window" at admin backend
3- There is no Print button
4- There could be an option to show a "Sign here _________________" at the form preview generated window(and translate that "sign here" at admin backend). Or just make it possible to static text (or images) show at form preview.
That or even better just create 2 more "Available Elements" to drag and drop:
1- an element that represents the form already filled in by the user at previous page(s)
2- Print Button
And so that the admin could use those 2 elements (plus static text to write "Sign Here: ____________") at the next page of the form.
I think that would make the extension a must have and the best form extension available. Hope something similar is developed in the next version.
Owner's reply
Hi Darkyyy,
Thank you for your ideas.
In 2.1 version all features you describe are available. Please update your component.
I hope Smart Former will now be more useful to you.
I used this plugin to create a 5 page working form very quickly. I really like the ease of making the form and the built-in ability to make multi-page forms.
Would like to see some way to add scripts and functionality to the submit buttons. Maybe there is, but I haven't found it yet.
Anyway, it does what it says it does and does it pretty well.
Would like to see some way to add scripts and functionality to the submit buttons. Maybe there is, but I haven't found it yet.
Anyway, it does what it says it does and does it pretty well.
This is a Very nice forms component and quite intuitive! However, one major flaw with native 1.5 version is that it does not function with legacy 1.0 turned on in Joomla 1.5. That is a major flaw! Legacy is key while many major components are being updated to native 1.5. I am sure many Docman and Community Builder users will not want to adopt this forms component if they are unable to use legacy. I recommend allowing for the use of legacy.
Owner's reply
Dear Neriv,
Thank you for your report. Frankly speaking we have missed the issue.
I think we will include support for Joomla 1.5. legacy in the following update.
Thank you again - it is important for us to get the feedback, we try our best to include the features people ask for.
I purchased it a few days ago due to some good reviews but it seems to be very basic form component. It seems that they have not thought of many functions for example, your form cannot be posted into a module or embedded into a page. So basically all you can do is to put a link on the menu item for the form and it will appear on its own.
I wanted to do the following which I cannot do;
* I wanted to publish it in a module but it is not possible. So you are stuck to publish it from menu item and only in a central position
* Secondly, I wanted to embed it in the webpage so my other text and service/story etc could compliment the form but it is not possible. So I cannot have this form on the webpage but it can only appear by clicking a link on the menu item.
I sent two messages to support team with the above issues and the only reply I had was; it is not possible, Or they will keep it in mind for the next version, and finally they told me to upgrade it when they have the next version out. They did not offer any help to resolve the issues now when I needed it.
I cannot understand why this form component is listed as "HOT" when there is nothing hot about it.
So if you don't mind a simple form that is just linked to the menu item and cannot be published in a module or embedded within a page then go ahead and buy it. But if you want the flexibility then look elsewhere and let me know also if you find anything better.
I wanted to do the following which I cannot do;
* I wanted to publish it in a module but it is not possible. So you are stuck to publish it from menu item and only in a central position
* Secondly, I wanted to embed it in the webpage so my other text and service/story etc could compliment the form but it is not possible. So I cannot have this form on the webpage but it can only appear by clicking a link on the menu item.
I sent two messages to support team with the above issues and the only reply I had was; it is not possible, Or they will keep it in mind for the next version, and finally they told me to upgrade it when they have the next version out. They did not offer any help to resolve the issues now when I needed it.
I cannot understand why this form component is listed as "HOT" when there is nothing hot about it.
So if you don't mind a simple form that is just linked to the menu item and cannot be published in a module or embedded within a page then go ahead and buy it. But if you want the flexibility then look elsewhere and let me know also if you find anything better.
Owner's reply
Dear Zakir,
I think we have done our best to describe the features the component has.
Yes, it is very simple, as any developer can simply put some php on its HTML form and that's it - no need for the component at all.
The funny thing is there are so many people that do not take the trouble to simply read (or even view Flash)docs - and then blame developers of not corresponding to their ideas... Well, it is very easy to make all your ideas come true - just developer yourself and that's it. Or read the docs to know in advance what you get.
OK, let us come back to our support. What do you think they can do for you??
They can not offer anything, as there are no features you want, as you haven't read the docs to know it.
So should they make a customization of the component especially for you for free or what?
Explain me when you buy a car - and them come back to the sellers filing a claim it doesn't fly and and has no autopilot to take you home - what do they do? Do they normally just reconstruct the car for you so that it correspond your needs? Lucky you are...
You have been informed, that the features you need will be included in the next release coming this month. You will be able to update them for free.
Well, the previous review confused me, yet I've tried to give it a shot.
Looks like the easiest WYSIWYG form creator I've seen ever - quite simple yet I've done everything needed.
And by the way - the support answered my questions within 30 minutes. Looking forward to getting the 1.5 version
Looks like the easiest WYSIWYG form creator I've seen ever - quite simple yet I've done everything needed.
And by the way - the support answered my questions within 30 minutes. Looking forward to getting the 1.5 version
I'm waiting to hear from the developer, but so far, this component was a waste of $25 for me. The layout system turned out to be messy, and at any point in time one of my static text boxes will get a border around it. The only way I found to remove it was to delete the item and create a new one.
There also doesn't seem to be a way to make the form longer than the layout area, and so far I can't get the submit button to do ANYTHING.
I'd steer clear if you need something that just works.
There also doesn't seem to be a way to make the form longer than the layout area, and so far I can't get the submit button to do ANYTHING.
I'd steer clear if you need something that just works.
Owner's reply
Hi Brian,
We do our best to support people ASAP, so the patch for your case has been sent in two hours after your addressing.
Sorry for the possible inconvenience.
Support team
I have been waiting on someone to finally create a WYSIWYG form tool for Joomla! I have multiple customers with form tools and they are a challenge to support/train. Now when a customer needs a form tool, I can buy this tool and have them watch the presentation as a training aid and I'm done.
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