Overview

This procedure describes how to save data from a form using Visforms.  More detailed documentation on using Visforms can be found here.


Configuring a form to save data

  • Log into the Joomla! administrator page for your web site
  • Click on Components > Visforms > Forms (see below):

    Components > Visforms > Forms
  • Select the name of the form that should be configured to save data. 
  • Click the Result tab (see #1 below).
  • Make sure Yes is selected next to Save Result (see #2 below).

    Visforms: Result tab
  • Click the Advanced tab.
  • Under the Data Export options, make sure "Separator" is set to "Comma."
  • Select Save & Close to the upper left: Save & Close button

Reviewing your form data

  • Log into the Joomla! administrator page for your web site
  • Click on Components > Visforms > Forms
  • Find the row corresponding to your form, and click on the number in the "Data" column (see below). If the number is "0," no data has been collected yet.

    Visforms: Link for form data
  • You will see all the data collected by the form, with the column names indicating the form fields:
    Visforms: Data Results

Exporting data to an Excel spreadsheet

  • Follow the steps under "Reviewing your form data" above to view the form data. Take note of the number in the "Data" column for your form.
  • Display all the data on the same page by finding the display select dropdown to the upper right (see #1 below), and increasing the number so that it exceeds the number shown in the "Data" column for your form.
  • Select all the data by clicking the top checkbox above the column of checkboxes. This will check all the checkboxes (see #2 below).
  • Select the Publish option from the Actions button's dropdown menu (see #3 below). (Note: The data must be published before it is exported).
  • Select all the data by clicking the top checkbox above the column of checkboxes (see #2 below).
  • Click the Export button (see #4 below).

    Visforms: Exporting form data
  • A popup window will ask you if you want to open the form. Make sure "Open with Microsoft Excel" is selected, then select the OK button (see #1 below):

    Opening Visforms exported data file
  • The form data will open in a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet. You can then save the file to your computer.

Unpublishing form data

After exporting your form data, make sure you unpublish it to protect it from unauthorized access:

  • Select all the data again by clicking the top checkbox above the column of checkboxes (see #1 below).
  • Click the Unpublish option from the Actions button's dropdown menu (see #2 below). (The icon highlighted in black is another way to publish/unpublish form data). 
  • Visforms: Unpublishing form data

What's next?

Set up a ReCaptcha to prevent the form from being used for spam.  See "Adding CAPTCHA to your form" in the "Visforms: Form Setup" page.