PerfectApps ® Help Guide

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

We're delighted to introduce Artificial Intelligence to PerfectApps, making app building quicker and easier than ever.

An AI Chatbot is available via the Quick Help links in all workspaces and dashboards, as well as in the App and Report Designer.

For more information on the AI Chatbot, see: AI Chatbot

User Interface Updates

We've refreshed areas of the App Migration user interface to make it clearer, more intuitive, and easier to use.

For more information, see: Migrating an App and Exporting App Data, Transferring App Ownership to Another User

Multi-Language Support

We're excited to introduce a Multi-Language Feature designed to make PerfectApps accessible to a global audience. In an increasingly interconnected world, effective communication is essential. This update ensures that users, regardless of their native language, can interact with the system intuitively and efficiently.

Multiple languages can be used in app design, allowing the app user to select their preferred language from the available options.

Text labels, headings, mandatory messages, tooltips and accessibility descriptions are all supported.

In design mode, the app designer can choose which languages to include and can manually enter the text for the different languages or may use AI tools to translate text into the different languages.

For more information see: Using Multiple Languages

App is Translated Behavior Event

In conjunction with support for multiple languages, a new behavior event has been added in the app behavior section. The new event App is translated occurs when the app user selects a new language. See: App Properties

New Condition - Displayed Language

A new condition returns the displayed language in apps where multiple languages are used. See: Special Fields and Properties

Mobile Design Wizard

The mobile design wizard has been updated to make it easier and quicker to optimize apps for use on mobile devices. See: Mobile App Wizard

Implementation of CSS Style Sheets with importable and exportable templates for app customization

Custom style settings configured in an app's style properties panel can be exported and subsequently imported into other apps. See: Importing, Exporting and Resetting an App Theme

An Advanced CSS Editor is a new tool for technically proficient users who require granular control over their app's appearance for specific, pre-defined object types. Extra permissions are required for this feature.

Users select an object type (e.g., "Tables", "Buttons"), and the editor provides a scoped CSS block where they can write rules that target that specific object type. These styles will take precedence over the active app style. See: Advanced CSS Editor

Sending & receiving binary data in REST connections for sending files to and from File Attachment objects.

Support for sending and receiving binary data has been added to REST connections, enabling the transfer of files to and from file attachment objects or file attachments in table objects.

A new Data Type option of File has been added to the Send Parameters grid for the Body and the Path & Body placement options. See: REST Web Service Actions

New Behavior Event - Enter key is pressed

A new behavior event Enter key is pressed has been added to the following input objects.

Text Input, Multiline Text Input, Numeric Input, Date Input, Time Input, Mask Text Input and in the following Table input column types.

Table Date Input, Table Numeric Input, Table Text Area, Table Text Input, Table Time Input.

This event will be triggered when the user's cursor is inside the object, and the Enter key is pressed.

SOAP/REST Web Services - X509 certificate implementation

We have included an option to input details of a client X509 certificate when configuring SOAP or REST Web Services. The certificate and optional pass phrase are added in the Service Details section when creating a new connection. See SOAP Web Service Connections, REST Web Services Connections

Mobile Wizard Clean Up

We have cleaned up the mobile wizard user interface to make it easier to follow:

See: Mobile App Wizard

Configurable Autocomplete for Input Fields

Text Input fields allow auto-complete based on real-time data fetched from various sources (lists and connections: databases, LDAP, REST and SOAP APIs, Google services, and CSV files.)

This feature is applicable for the following objects: Text Input Properties, Multiline Text Input Properties, Table Text Input Properties, Table Text Area Properties

Show or Hide Processing Message

Processing messages were displayed in the past to confirm that behaviors had been triggered. We have added the option to show or hide processing messages. The default setting is for processing messages to be displayed.

For further information, see Behavior Processing Messages.

REST API links added to the Links view.

A URL link to access the REST API has been added to the list in the ‘Link to Latest Published Version view.’

For more information, see Using the API reference links

Links to opened behavior events

In behavior mode, we have included a breadcrumb for the currently opened behavior event and links to other events that were opened during the current session.

For more information, see Adding Behaviors

Adding a Google Email Server as an account resource

In response to Google’s announcement that from September 30th, 2024, third-party apps that use only a password to access Google accounts and Google Sync will no longer be supported, we have implemented a more secure, modern authentication experience for our users.

For more information, see Adding an Email Server as an Account Resource

Enabling Reflow View

Reflow View involves rearranging content to fit a display's width, eliminating the need for horizontal scrolling.

This is especially important when users increase text size or view content on smaller screens like mobile devices.

With Reflow View selected, the app's layout dynamically adjusts to any screen size, presenting content in a single or two-column format for optimal viewing on all devices, including laptop and PC screens.

For more information, see App Properties

Re-designed Overviews

We have re-designed the Apps and Reports landing pages and have renamed them as the Apps and Reports Workspace. The Workspaces include a list of the most recently updated apps or reports and several quick buttons for the most commonly used actions including Design, Publish and Links.

For more information see Apps Workspace and Reports Workspace.

Input Objects include a Text object

When dropped onto the canvas, several input objects will also automatically include a text object. The text object is positioned above the input object and selected, allowing the designer to modify the text.

For more information see Adding Objects to your App.

Quick Tutorial & Walk Through

We have included walk through tutorials to help new users navigate the App Designer and the design process.

For more information see: App Designer Tour, App Design Tour

Template Apps

We have included a number of Template Apps that can be used when creating a new app. The templates can be used as they are, or can be modified to suit your use.

For more information see: Using a Template

Publishing Apps & Reports

Your apps and reports can now be published from the File menu in the app or report designer menus. See App Designer Menu Options

Google Spreadsheet

The method of authentication used when configuring Google Spreadsheet connections has been made simpler. See Google Spreadsheet Connections

Print File Name

We have added a feature that allows a designer to give a name to a PDF file created by the print button or behavior command.

For more information see Print Properties

Improved Focus on a Table Object

Since the Table object currently identifies the selected row with a pale blue border, something that’s not always obvious, we have improved the method so that when a row is selected, the row height is increased so the color is visible. Once the row loses focus, the row height returns to normal.

Server Time

The utility Server Time has been added to the formula editor's special fields and properties section.

For more information see Special Fields and Properties

Text Wrapping in a Group's Header

If the text in a group’s header is too long to fit in the available header space, it will wrap to the next line. This feature is added to avoid the necessity to reduce the font size to make the text fit in a header.

Exported File Extension changed from .PF to .PA

The extension for an exported file will change to .pa to ensure that exports from PerfectApps will not be used in older versions of the software (PerfectForms).

Exported files from older versions using the .pf extension will be supported in PerfectApps.

Print / PDF Configurable Quality

The quality used in PDF print for picture objects is now configurable at design time.

For more information see Picture Properties.

Changing Notification Links from Regular to Single Sign-on

We have added a feature to allow greater control over existing notification links when single sign-on is activated in an established account.

For more information see Setting Up Single Sign-on

Autofill

We have added a feature to allow compatibility with WCAG 2.1. The feature is included in the settings properties for several input fields including the Text Input object.

Microsoft 365 Exchange, secure authentication

In response to Microsoft's announcement that in Office 365 Exchange, they would be disabling Basic Authentication,  we have implemented a secure, modern authentication experience for our users. This feature is implemented only for setting up custom Email servers in the Settings Dashboard.

For further details including how to set up a new custom Email server see Adding an Email Server as an Account Resource

Goodbye PerfectForms, Hello PerfectApps: New Name, Same Great Tool

As the business world and technology evolve, so has our company. And while we still offer web forms and workflow apps, we’ve also become a robust no-code platform.

Learn more about why we have decided to make this change here.

	We're introducing a new logo and new website to go along with our new name.
	Visit our new website here.

Throughout the website and this help guide, we have updated our terminology from Forms to Apps. This terminology change is also visible in the application, which has also seen a few minor branding changes and updates to make it even more user-friendly.

Some action might be required if you have a firewall.

•If you have a firewall, please whitelist perfectapps.com to ensure you continue to receive our email communications and leave perfectforms.com whitelisted as well.

•There is no impact on the functionality of your existing forms and reports created on the platform.

•You do not need to republish any of your existing forms or reports, and the links remain the same.

•No IP address or mail server changes are required.

Google Web Fonts

We have added thirty popular Google Fonts in the app and report designer list.

These thirty fonts will automatically be available to use in the app and report designer and when a user views an app or report, in both versions of the application. The designer or user does not need to have these fonts downloaded or installed on their local machine.

The fonts will also be seen in PDF copies of an app or report in the PerfectApps On-Demand version.

For the PerfectApps On-Premise version it will be necessary for the fonts to be installed on the PerfectApps server.

Fields list will hold its last state

When a multi-element object, such as a table or drop-down, is referenced in the ‘Select a field’ dialog box and a drill-down is necessary to make a selection, the system will remember the drill-down state of the object on any subsequent selections. This enhancement will make it easier for designers to work with these object types when designing behavior.

Resources - Sample, Example & Template Apps

We have included several sample, example, and template apps in this help guide. Sample apps demonstrate common techniques, and example apps demonstrate common features that are more involved. Template apps are often fully working apps. All apps can be tried from the help guide and are available to download.

Some template apps might need a small amount of modification before fully functioning in your system; typically, this might include linking roles to specific individuals or other minor changes. Templates apps are packaged with a guide explaining key features of the app and any changes you might need to make them fully working apps.

To find these apps see Resources

Server-Side Requirements (On-Premise Versions)

Support is included for Windows Server 2022 and SQL Server 2022 for PerfectApps On-Premise version.

REST Web Service

Certain popular REST Web Service connections are tested for each new version of PerfectApps and regularly after that.

Changes made by the service providers are out of our control and could affect existing connections. We will endeavor to resolve any difficulties promptly after discovery.

Connections to REST Web Services outside the supported list will also be available but not tested.

For more information on supported REST Web Service connections see Supported REST Web Services

Reporting on data from a table drop-down column

We have enhanced the reporting system to permit reporting on the data from both the Caption and Value of a table drop-down column.

This feature will apply to any new apps built from this version onwards.

The following steps will be necessary to report on this data in apps already built.

•Open the app

•Save the app as a new version

•Publish the app

•Open the report

•Open the data source and click the refresh button

•Select the new elements in the data source

REST Web Service

Connections to external REST based endpoints will now return a "Status" code. A status code will help confirm successful connections to your third-party services and troubleshoot connectivity issues.

Support for RESTful Web Service Integration

We have included Support for RESTful API Web Services with this release.

This new Web Service configuration exists alongside the Web Service for SOAP API integration.

For more information see: REST Web Services Connections

Enable Design Recovery

This new feature allows temporary versions of an app or report to be saved automatically. Suppose the design session expires or the user closes the browser without first saving the app or report. In that case, the temporary version will remain available and can be accessed when the user next opens the app or report in design mode or chooses to publish the app or report. The user may access the last fully saved version too.

It's possible to disable the feature or modify the auto save interval in the Settings / Account Details section.

For more details see: Settings

Search for objects with behaviors only

In the app designer navigation panel it's possible to see all objects or only those with behaviors attached listed below.

For more information see: App Designer Navigation Panel

Search for objects by name

In the app designer it's possible to search for objects by their name in the navigation panel.

For more information see: App Designer Navigation Panel

Connection Actions can be viewed and accessed from the connections screen

The connections screen has been re-designed to make any actions linked to that connection visible and accessed directly from that screen.

Improved print quality of picture images

The quality of pictures in a PDF version of the app has been improved.

Importing a Connection over an existing one

An existing connection may now be updated by importing a new one over the top of it.

Any permissions applied to the existing connection and actions will remain unchanged after the update.

For more information on this see Migrating Connections

Applying Connection Permissions to Actions

When access permissions for a connection are applied, or changed, you will be provided with the option to apply those permissions to any existing actions too.

For more information see Connection and Action Permissions

Using Custom Fonts

This feature has been enhanced to allow locally installed fonts to be used in app or report design. In the Settings Dashboard it's possible to specify fonts that will be listed as available in the app or report objects properties, or these can be entered manually. For more information see Settings

On-Premise Server Side System Requirements

.NET Framework 4.8 or above is required for this version.

Mobile Design

The Mobile Design feature is used to optimize an app so that it's suitable for viewing on a mobile device.

A mobile app consists of pages that contain one or more sections. A section is a grouping of app objects that can be positioned, and moved, as a single entity. App objects may also be re-positioned within a section.

You can optimize the Mobile Design for viewing on a phone in portrait mode (One Column), phone in landscape mode (Two Columns), or a tablet (Two Columns).

The Mobile App Wizard is triggered the first time that the mobile icon () is clicked or if it's clicked after a new object has been added to the app. At other times the Mobile App Layout mode will be opened directly.

For more information see:

Mobile Design, Mobile App Wizard or Mobile App Layout

Memory Requirements

The minimum and recommended free memory requirements for users in Designer Mode have been updated.

See Browser Requirements for more details.

Date Calendar (Layout Object)

The Date Calendar object can be used on an app to capture a date selected manually by a user or dynamically using behavior. Once captured, that date can then be displayed to, and/or modified by, other users who view the app instance.

For more information see Date Calendar

Timer (Layout Object)

The Timer object triggers events after a defined time period. For example, you might display a page on the app for 10 seconds and then after 10 seconds elapses a behavior is called that will change the page.

For more information see Timer

Get Field From Other Instance (Behavior Command)

The Get Field From Other Instance command can be used to take data from a field in another instance and return it to a field in the active instance. This feature would often be used in linked apps.

For more information see Get Field From Other Instance

Set Field In Other Instance (Behavior Command)

The Set Field In Other Instance command can be used to send data from a field in the active instance into a field in another instance.

For more information see Set Field In Other Instance

Start/Stop (Behavior Command)

The Start Stop command is used to start or stop a timer object.

For more information see Start/Stop