How to Test Forms in Dreamweaver

Adobe Dreamweaver is a user-friendly website design program originally owned by Macromedia. In 2005, Adobe Systems bought Macromedia and the license to all of its products, including Dreamweaver. Since the program's invention in 1997, it has been updated several times. Adobe Dreamweaver is highly versatile and supports Java scripting, cascading scripting sheets and many other common script languages. Dreamweaver doesn't require knowledge of HTML. As a result, construction of fairly complex web pages is possible for almost any level of experience. Forms can be created in a series of point and click steps. The following steps will guide you through the process.

Things You'll Need

• Computer Adobe Dreamweaver

Instructions

1. 

   Decide whether you want to begin with a host server or simply create your page without one. It is not completely necessary to initiate a host server before you begin design of your website. Dreamweaver allows you to create, edit and preview your site immediately, provided you can run Internet Explorer (at least 5.0) or Netscape (at least 3.0). Your browser should also be set up to run Java and flash applications. You can a create and test forms without a host; however, in order to keep track of information submitted in forms you will require a host server that supports CGI (Common Gateway Interface) scripting. Be sure to research hosting sites to make sure they include CGI scripting as one of the paid features.

2. 

   Create your form. Forms can be used for many reasons. They can be used for registration purposes, surveys and general inquiries, but most often they are used for e-commerce. Dreamweaver allows you to insert a form directly into an existing page or to create a new, dedicated page for your form. Simply designate the area on the page you wish your form to be and leave your cursor there. Then use the "Forms" drop-down menu and scroll down to "Insert Form." You will see two consecutive red-dashed lines appear on your page. The area in between these lines is your form. Type in your questions and use the "Insert" menu to add spaces for answers which they refer to as a "Text Box." Be sure to title and give specifications for each text box or you will not be able to differentiate one answer from another later on.

3. 

   Install buttons. Buttons can be used to offer selections in a form, but more importantly, they are used for submission. Dreamweaver offers a wide variety of ready made buttons that match or enhance specific themes that come with the program. You can, of course, create your own buttons in a draw/paint program and import them into Dreamweaver. It is recommended to save your created images as a jpeg or a gif. Once you have your series of inquiries set up within your form and each box is properly named and specified, insert a final button at the bottom of your form. Type the words "Submit" on the button. Then right-click it and scroll down to "Insert Action" From there choose the action "Submit." Once your user clicks the final button, your form should be submitted to the webmaster.

4. 

   Preview or publish your site. When your page is complete, or just in a state to be tested, make sure to save it. Dreamweaver (and most applications) will not publish or allow you to preview a site that is not saved. If you do not yet have a host server and you wish to preview your site, click on the "Preview" button at the top of the page. You can also click on the "File" button and scroll down to "Preview Site." If you wish to publish your site click on the "Publish" button at the top of the page, or you can click on the "File" button and scroll down to "Publish Site." Depending on how large your file size is, publishing could take a minute or two. Once it is published you will get a "Published Successfully" prompt. Click "OK."

5. 

   Fill out the form and submit it. When you click on "Preview Site," Internet Explorer or Netscape will automatically open and display your page in the format that viewers will see it on the Internet. You should see your form there (minus the red-dashed lines). Fill out your form with whatever type of information you have previously required. If you have published your site, open Internet Explorer or Netscape and type in your URL. If your site has published correctly, it should appear the way you intended. Fill out your form. Once your form is completed, click the "Submit" button. If it is a success, you will immediately be directed to a "Success" page that tells you so. If it was not successful, you will receive an error message. If that happens, go back to Dreamweaver and double-check all of your actions.

Tips & Warnings

• Dreamweaver files tend to be large. If your page is taking a while to download, try lightening up your file sizes in the way shrinking the images.

• Dreamweaver does recognize png, psd and tif, but some web browsers may not show the image properly.

Resources

• More information about Adobe Dreamweaver