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      Using Real Time Data Sets

      How to use real time data sets

      Data sets typically "pull" data once when you sync a form. For example, a data set of pay codes seldom changes but if a change is made, when a sync is performed the form "pulls" the new data. Whereas real time data sets update in "real-time", meaning data is processed immediately. So, when a FormsPro user provides data to "trigger" a real time data set (via a lookup, select, radio, or segmented button) a call is made in the API to communicate with the other data source. For example, let's say you have a data set of your parts inventory. By using a real-time data set you know exactly the current parts in your inventory. If another tech grabs a part, the inventory is updated, and the data set reflects that.

      Real time datasets are helpful because you can make changes to data once a form has started. It is recommended to use real time data sets on forms that use data sets that change frequently. An app user has to be online to use real time data sets.

      When the form is submitted, all real time/cached data that was saved is deleted from the device.
      This procedure only covers fields applicable to real time data sets. See Creating Data Sets for details about the other fields in the Data Set Designer.
      1. From the Reusable Components menu, select Data Sets. Click New Data Set. The Data Set Designer opens.
      2. Toggle the Real Time Data Set option on. 
      3. Click Add Parameter Placeholders to add a parameter field. Then enter a parameter to be used in the query. A parameter is a value in the row. You must select at least one parameter to prevent a large amount of data being "pulled."
      4. If you want to provide the ability to change the labels for use on the app, click (Edit icon) next to the data set to open the Format Data Set Data window. 
      5. You can reuse data sets on multiple forms, but there may be times when want to make a slight change to the data set and don't want to create a brand-new data set. Click (Copy) to copy the data set then make changes as needed to the copied data set.
      6. Click (Save) to save the data set.
      7. To review a data set's performance, view the Data Set Performance Log.