Download - Form vs List Library SharePoint 2013
ASPX forms InfoPath List FormsBasics
Form cannot be printed Form cannot be printed Form can be printedData cannot be saved as draft Data cannot be saved as draft Document can be saved as draft
Coding Support
Client and server side code support No client or server side code support
Form DesignCSS can be applied No CSS support No CSS support
Data
Data can be changed or imported into the list in bulk
Multiple data sources can be used Multiple data sources can be used
Managed Meta data can be mapped to fields Can NOT use Managed Meta data Can NOT use Managed Meta data
Can use external data through client or server side code
Form Functionality
Cascading drop downs can be created without code Cascading drop downs can be created without code
Multiple views of data cannot be created
InfoPath Documents
Separate forms for display, edit and new items. Forms simply work on whatever data is in the list.
Single form works for all operations. Like aspx forms, this form works on whatever data is in the list.
Each list/data item is a document itself. Documents can be configured to promote fields to library columns
Only server side code support, it uses XMLHttp in order to avoid full page postbacks during data entry.
Data can be changed or imported into the list in bulk
Only existing data in promoted fields can be modified. Records cannot be added or deleted in bulk.
Multiple data sources are not supported unless they are in the form of lookup columns or used in client or server side code
Can consume simple SOAP and REST based services and can have connections to databases and XML files
Can consume simple SOAP and REST based services and can have connections to databases and XML files
No built in support for cascading drop downs, this functionality is achieved using JavaScript
Multiple view of data CAN BE created and switched based on rules
Multiple view of data CAN BE created and switched based on rules
ValidationJavaScript for all the rules and client side validation Rule engine does it all Rule engine does it all
Workflow
Key Benefits
Maximum control on the form Easy to develop and relatively less testing is required
JavaScript/JQuery and Server side code support Can be developed with minimum time and effort Server side code support
CSS Support
Data in the list can be edited, imported and exported in bulk Repeating and nesting data support
Drawbacks
Increased development and testing time No Coding support
Can run in Sandbox
Multiple web part can be added to the form, inline editing of records possible
Data can be shown from multiple data sources, but can’t be changed
Data can be shown from multiple data sources, but can’t be changed
SPD based list and reusable workflows and VS based custom workflows can be created and attached
SPD based list and reusable workflows and VS based custom workflows can be created and attached
SPD based list and reusable workflows and VS based custom workflows can be created and attached. Only promoted fields can be used in SPD based workflows.
Very easy to develop and very little testing is required
InfoPath Views, Rules and facial features are supported
All InfoPath features like Views, Rules, facial features and printing are supported
Data in the list can be edited, imported and exported in bulk
Multiple web parts can be used on a form to view or modify items from different lists on a single form
No client side coding support, limited server side code ability