ASPX forms

InfoPath List Forms

InfoPath Documents

Basics
Separate forms for display, edit and new items. Forms simply work on whatever data is in the list. Form cannot be printed

Single form works for all operations. Like aspx Each list/data item is a document itself. Documents can be forms, this form works on whatever data is in the configured to promote fields to library columns list. Form cannot be printed Data cannot be saved as draft Form can be printed Document can be saved as draft Only server side code support, it uses XMLHttp in order to avoid full page postbacks during data entry. No CSS support

Data cannot be saved as draft

Client and server side code support

Coding Support
No client or server side code support

Form Design
CSS can be applied

No CSS support

Data
Data can be changed or imported into the list in bulk Multiple data sources are not supported unless they are in the form of lookup columns or used in client or server side code Managed Meta data can be mapped to fields Can use external data through client or server side code

Data can be changed or imported into the list in bulk Multiple data sources can be used Can NOT use Managed Meta data Can consume simple SOAP and REST based services and can have connections to databases and XML files

Only existing data in promoted fields can be modified. Records cannot be added or deleted in bulk. Multiple data sources can be used Can NOT use Managed Meta data Can consume simple SOAP and REST based services and can have connections to databases and XML files

Form Functionality
No built in support for cascading drop downs, this functionality is Cascading drop downs can be created without code achieved using JavaScript Multiple views of data cannot be created Multiple web part can be added to the form, inline editing of records possible JavaScript for all the rules and client side validation

Cascading drop downs can be created without code Multiple view of data CAN BE created and switched based on rules Data can be shown from multiple data sources, but cant be changed Rule engine does it all

Multiple view of data CAN BE created and switched based on rules Data can be shown from multiple data sources, but cant be changed

Validation
Rule engine does it all

Workflow

SPD based list and reusable workflows and VS based custom workflows can be created and attached

SPD based list and reusable workflows and VS based custom workflows can be created and attached

SPD based list and reusable workflows and VS based custom workflows can be created and attached. Only promoted fields can be used in SPD based workflows. Easy to develop and relatively less testing is required

Key Benefits
Maximum control on the form JavaScript/JQuery and Server side code support CSS Support Data in the list can be edited, imported and exported in bulk Multiple web parts can be used on a form to view or modify items from different lists on a single form

Very easy to develop and very little testing is required

Can be developed with minimum time and effort Server side code support InfoPath Views, Rules and facial features are supported Data in the list can be edited, imported and exported in bulk All InfoPath features like Views, Rules, facial features and printing are supported Repeating and nesting data support

Drawbacks
Increased development and testing time

No Coding support

No client side coding support, limited server side code ability Can run in Sandbox