You can work with a Table in two different modes, accessible from the Toolbox:
- 'Configure' mode
- 'View' mode
When you browse to the component you are initially in Configure mode.
Configure mode
This provides the configuration tabs that allow you to define the structure and behavior of the Table: the fields, events, etc.
View mode
This provides an interface to manage data within the table records. Typically, users will see a list of existing records in the Table, with options for editing existing records, deleting them, or adding new ones.
This is provided as a quick entry interface, primarily for setting up test data. For production use the Data Entry Form component would be used for providing users with an interface for managing data.
Data Entry Forms
The Table component's View Table mode is a built-in Data Entry Form, automatically tied to the Table. Additional Data Entry Form components can be added to the site, and associated with the Table.
Construction advice
Using discrete Data Entry Form components is the preferred way to have users and visitors introduce data to tables. Data Entry Forms (DEF) are fully configurable and give precise control over how input forms are displayed.
While it might seem that one Data Entry Form is sufficient per Table, the provision of several Data Entry Forms tied to the same Table provide additional flexibility, for example:
Allowing visitors to fill in one Data Entry Form, whilst Administrators can write notes in extra fields about the visitors' submissions, and check a box to allow the display of the record contents elsewhere on the site (ie moderation)
Breaking a long form into several stages, or pages, to make it appear less daunting.
To provide 'premium' users with a more sophisticated form - for example in a social networking site, to allow them to have a more detailed profile
To provide 'beginner' users with an easier, shorter, form, to encourage usage.
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