ProductsStyleVisionAuthentic Forms Design

Altova StyleVision® 2012 is a powerful tool that automates the creation of Authentic® eForms, which allow non-technical users to add content directly to XML documents or databases through an intuitive, user-friendly interface.

Authentic eForms

StyleVision is used to develop electronic forms for Authentic, Altova's WYSIWYG XML and database content editor.

In addition to XSLT and XSL:FO stylesheets and the corresponding HTML, RTF, PDF, and Word 2007+ (OOXML) output, your StyleVision design automatically generates an Authentic electronic form. Authentic eForms offer an innovative approach to XML and database editing that completely shields content contributors from the underlying technology. Users simply key in data using the word-processor like document interface or fill in sophisticated electronic forms, and their content is automatically written to an XML document or relational database behind the scenes. You can even access and edit XML data stored in databases (IBM DB2 9 and SQL Server).

 Click here to download a fully functional, free 30-day trial of Altova StyleVision® 2012!

Why Use Authentic Electronic Forms?

Authentic electronic forms offer a number of advantages to both business users and developers alike:

• A truly portable XML form – all design elements are embedded in a Portable XML Form (PXF) file for easy deployment and distribution
• Sophisticated editing capabilities – put power in the hands of business users
• Multi format publishing – end users can generate output in HTML, PDF, RTF, and Word 2007+ format with the click of a button
• Free Community Edition of Altova Authentic – business users can install the free Community Edition and start editing databases and XML files with Authentic forms instantly

Authentic electronic forms are the ideal choice for developers looking for an easily integrated database and XML file editing solution and for business users seeking powerful editing capabilities with an easy to use, WYSIWYG interface.

A Powerful XML and Database Editing Solution

Authentic is ideally suited for use as the data entry element of advanced XML-based document frameworks and business management-oriented databases. The data can be saved to any content management system, database, or XML repository where it can be made instantly available to applications across the enterprise. This innovative approach to content editing unlocks corporate knowledge and increases overall efficiency.

An Authentic eForm for editing XML documents:

An Authentic eForm for editing database content:

During the document design stage of the workflow, a developer or technical user uses StyleVision to create a single design that autogenerates standards-conformant XSLT stylesheets, an XSL:FO stylesheet, and an Authentic eForm. This form allows non-technical users to edit the content of XML documents and databases in Authentic. The Authentic form controls the data input and defines how the data should be processed and displayed. StyleVision even allows developers the option of populating combo box values at runtime based on data in the associated XML document or database.

Authentic is designed for use in organizations where people create business content or collect and use information on a daily basis. Authentic users are typically non-technical, such as reporters, analysts, legal workers, marketing professionals, order processing clerks, etc. Authentic forms can be created for just about any content stored in databases or in XML documents such as purchase orders, news articles, catalogs, and much more.

In addition, because Authentic electronic forms are created in StyleVision, after the XML or database content is edited, the existing XSLT 1.0/2.0 and XSL:FO stylesheets can be applied to output the data to HTML, RTF, PDF, and Word 2007+ (OOXML).

XML Digital Signatures

Developers can enable digital signature capabilities in Authentic forms designed in StyleVision quickly and easily.

If a StyleVision user enables the capability in an Authentic form, an end user can attach a digital signature (either his own or the one identified by the StyleVision designer) to the XML file. The digital signature-specific message seen by the end user when he opens the Authentic form is also configured by the StyleVision designer.

A digital signature can be embedded within an XML document or contained in its own file detached from the document.

StyleVision’s digital signature capabilities for Authentic forms will provide IT professionals with another way to address security.

Truly Portable XML Forms

Now you can design truly portable XML forms in StyleVision as well. Embed all design components in a single Portable XML Form (PXF) file – end users simply open the PXF file and start editing XML and database data in Authentic's WYSIWYG interface.

Creating the PXF file is as easy as toggling the PXF button ...

and selecting which files to include.

Learn how creating Authentic eForms with StyleVision® 2012 can solve XML and database editing challenges in your organization. Download a free 30-day trial of StyleVision.