Creating a Form Packet

Creating a Form Packet

A Packet is a collection of forms that are bundled together so that the User is required to view each form in a series (one after another) without having to click on each individual form.
  1. Packets can include product forms, data forms, and/or volunteer forms.  However, it is best not to include the same form in multiple packets. Important Note:  Guest Forms and Signup Genius forms can NOT be included in a packet.
  2. Once a packet is active, it will appear in the Packets section of the Open Forms list.
  3. When the user opens a packet, they will be taken to a preamble page with a “Get Started >" button which will take them to the first form in the packet flow.  Clicking "Next >" on each form will take them to the next form.
  4. When you click "Finished >" on the last form in the packet flow, you’ll be taken back to the Open Forms screen.  Or you can choose to present the button "Proceed to Checkout >" which will take them to the Checkout screen.
VERY IMPORTANT - Do NOT put forms in a packet until you are completely done testing and changing them!

We recommend that you create your packet of forms right before you launch sales. While testing and setting up forms, it is best that they are NOT associated with a Packet of Forms.

To Create a Packet:
  1. Go to Store & Forms > Packets > New Packet

Overview Tab

Once you have created your Packet, you will be presented with the Overview screen.  Here you can enter:

Title:  This is the title of your packet. 

Extended Description:  This text will appear below the title of the packet in a smaller font.  Sometimes it is helpful to include a due date here.

Mode:  There are four choices:  Draft, Test, Active, Archived
  1. Draft mode is only available to Admins working on the packet.
  2. Test mode for forms allows your Admins to see and test the functions. Currently this feature is NOT available for Packets. To view/test a packet it must be set to Active Mode.
  3. Active mode is when you want your packet to be available to your users!
  4. Archived mode is used when you are done with a packet and no longer want it to be presented in your list of packets on the Dashboard.  It will move to the Archived List. (coming soon)
Publish and Unpublish Date/Time:  Don't forget these must be current or the packet will not be presented in the Open Forms list.

URL:  At the bottom of the screen, there is a URL that will allow you to link directly to your packet from a content page, newsletter, etc.  Users will still be prompted to log in if they haven't already, but then they will be taken directly to the packet rather than the list of Open Forms.



Description Tab

Preamble:  This is the text that will appear at the beginning of the packet when the user selects it from the Open Forms block.  You could include a brief description of what's included in the packet or you can leave it blank and select to have a system-generated forms block (available on the Settings tab) appear instead.

Recommendation:  Keep it simple! Include pictures or graphics to make the packet interesting and appealing.



Settings Tab



Present the Preamble Screen?
When a user selects a packet from their Open Forms, you can choose if you want them to be taken to the first form in the packet or to the preamble screen.

Present Form List on Preamble Screen?
Selecting "Yes" will present a system-generated block of forms.  The user will not be able to click on the individual forms, but they will see a green check mark next to forms they have viewed (but not necessarily completed) before.  These forms will still be presented to them in the packet.



Closing Action
What do you want to happen when the user finishes the packet?
  1. Return to Open Forms Screen (a "Finished >" button will be presented)
  2. Present Button to Checkout
  3. Present Both Buttons

Forms Tab

The Forms tab is where you add the specific forms you want to include in your packet.

VERY IMPORTANT - Do NOT put forms in a packet until you are completely done testing and changing them!

We recommend that you create your packet of forms right before you launch sales. While testing and setting up forms, it is best that they are NOT associated with a Packet of Forms. 
  1. If you wish to make changes to forms already in a packet AND there have been no sales on the packet, we recommend that you remove the forms from the packet, delete the packet and make a new one with the updated forms.
  2. But if you already have sales on the packet and can't delete it, then remove the forms, edit the forms, then add them back. Just know that for some (that had already started the packet) this may cause a problem.

Adding Forms to a Packet:
Pending forms can NOT be added to a packet.
  1. If you need to set up your packet and forms to be Active at a later date, we recommend placing your forms in Test mode, but setting the dates to be current.
  2. Then, add the forms to the Pending Packet.
  3. Once added, go back and change the forms to Active/Pending for the dates you want them to be published.
  4. Once that date occurs, the forms will become Active and will appear in the Packet.
DO NOT include Guest Forms in your packets.
DO NOT include the same form in more than one packet.

  1. Add Forms to the packet by clicking the blue button and selecting from a list of all your Active Forms. 
  2. Rearrange Forms by dragging them up and down.  You must Save for them to "stick" in place. 
  3. Remove Forms from the packet by clicking the red button next to the form.
  4. Duplicate the Packet by clicking the orange button at the bottom right.
  5. Delete the Packet by clicking the red button at the bottom right. However, we recommend you Archive your packet (on the Overview tab) rather than delete it unless you made a mistake and don't intend to use the packet.


Packet Conditions Tab

What is a Packet Condition?  Packet Conditions allow you to restrict a packet's availability/presentation to a particular group of users. For example, if you have a packet that only applies to your faculty/staff, you can set the packet to only show up in the list of Open Forms if the User is a Faculty/Staff member.

How Do You Use Packet Conditions?  You can set a packet condition using any of the member or student data fields, including custom fields.  (If you need a custom field created, submit a Help Ticket to our Help Desk or see Adding a Custom Field for more information.)
  1. Select the packet you want to add the conditions to.
  2. Go to the Packet Conditions tab.
  3. Click the "+" sign to create the condition.
  4. Use the drop down menus to select the fields and restrictions.
  5. You can have multiple conditions on a packet.
  6. Please note - using the "not equal to" condition is complicated. If you choose to use it, you should always test to be sure you get the results you expect.


    • Related Articles

    • Creating A Volunteer Form

      Creating a volunteer form consists of a number of steps, including naming the form, setting up the publish and unpublish dates and times, entering your volunteer opportunities, and configuring your emails to go out. Clicking on the "save and continue ...
    • Creating and Editing Sales Forms

      Creating a Sales Form Sales Forms can be set up to sell products, collect donations, and to capture data. There are a few basic steps to follow for creating a form: 1.  Determine if you are going to start a form from scratch or copy an existing form. ...
    • Advanced Forms

      Setting Up a Lunch Order Form Many schools have the need to have an online ordering system that allows parents to prepay for their child's lunch, giving them the option to choose the variety and amount and choose to pay for the entire semester or ...
    • Bundling Items on a Form

      Before deciding how to set up your Spring Sales consider the following: the families you serve and their willingness and ability to pay one lump sum all at once the importance of forcing the purchase of all items placed within the bundle Setting up a ...
    • Creating a 'Contact Us' Form

      There are times when you might need a way for users to contact you with suggestions or concerns. For example, you might want parents to provide suggestions for fundraisers they'd like to do.   The best way to do this is to create a 'Data Only' Guest ...