Create a record with an action field

In this post, I will show you the two different ways of using an action field to create records in Softools. The first method will be how to create a record in the context of a single application while the second will be how to create a record in the context of a child record. These buttons allow new users easier navigation of the website and more control of the process the user follows on your site.

Both methods start with creating an action field in your application, for the second method make sure to create the button in the parent application. For more information on action fieldsand their uses please follow this link - Action Button – Softools

Once you are in the field configuration screen you can then start to fill out the required details below as you see fit. I prefer to leave the button without a label as the image on the button should convey its use most of the time.

You can then select your button size, if you are putting this button on a screen with multiple other buttons or fields then I would suggest using the full option to fill the cell otherwise the large or medium. You can select the button type, this is where the methods differ.

For method 1 (Recommended for homepages) you will need to select OpenUrl, this will add another option to select the Action Field Url, here you need to add a specific URL relative to your app - /AppID/create - Example below. This URL will take you to the record create screen of the app you put in the app id. If you don't know your app id you can find it in the configure folder of the application you are in under Identifier.

For method 2 (Recommended for Records) make sure you are in your parent application of the app you wish to create the record in for this whole process. You can then select the AddChildRecord option, this will add another option to select the child app you wish to create the record in. The main difference of this option is that when a record is created it will be automatically linked to the parent record you clicked the button from.

Once you have completed either one of the above methods you can then select the image you wish you have on the button. You can choose to have an existing image already on the site from the list provide or to click on the upload button to the right and upload a new image.

The 2 below are some images I created for each button.

Once this is done you can then save your field. Next is just choosing where to put it, buttons can go in reports, dashboards and templates. Here are some examples of where I have used them for the above cases - For more on the first image on adding them to homepages, please follow this link - Creating a Homepage with Buttons – Softools