Question:

Is there a way to separate fields in the sharepoint new item form (newform.aspx) with some degree of formatting?

We have about 6 dates that we’re tracking (3 due dates, and 3 completion dates) for a sharepoint list.  It looks dizzying all clumped together on newform.aspx.  Is there a way to do some custom formatting to the form so that it looks more usable?

I know one option is to scrap using newform.aspx and instead build an infopath form, but we want to make this as modfiable as we can for the time being as the form is still very much a work in progress.  The form may also need to be modified by sharepoint content admins in the future (adding new fields etc), and they don’t have time to learn how to build infopath forms.

Just out of box with some formatting mods to newform.aspx.  Has this been done?

Solution:

Hi,

Yes you can do this but I don’t think you can modify the formatting/spacing of the default ListFormWebPart control. Instead you can replace it with a custom list form, which is fully modifiable:

1) Open your site in SharePoint Designer, expand the list where you want the form to be used.
2) Select NewForm.aspx, and take a copy – do not skip this part, or you may regret it!!! (speaking from experience :O)
3) Now edit the form, select the ListFormWebPart control, and press the right arrow key so the cursor drops just below (do NOT delete this control or it will probably break the form – we will hide it later instead)
4) Go to Insert > SharePoint Controls > Custom List Form
5) Select the list and content type which you want to associate the form with, ensure “New item form” is selected, and click OK.

You should now see a custom form which contains all the user-modifiable fields. You can delete any of these (careful not to delete any which relate to mandatory fields), and you can move them about, create new rows or columns in the table, drag the form fields wherever you like, etc etc.

Now all you need to do is select the original ListFormWebPart control, go to Web Part Properties > Layout, and tick the Hidden box, and OK. Save the form and away you go.

Hope that helps
Poolio