Deleting or Inactivating Dataform Fields

You can delete or inactivate a dataform field that you do not want to use on a dataform anymore.

Situations Preventing Field Deletion or Inactivation

A few situations can exist that prevent a field from being deleted or inactivated. When this occurs, a Hard Error A hard error is an error that triggers to prevent you from executing an action that goes against a business rule. Often, you cannot proceed with saving the form until you correct the issue that triggered the error, or in some cases, where data intregity is being protected, your input will revert to the previous value. displays and you are not permitted to delete or inactivate the field:

The field is a system field. For system fields, the Delete action is not available and displays as disabled. System fields can be easily identified since their field names do not begin with z_.
The field is a default field. For default fields, the system displays a message.

"This field is used by the following System functions and cannot be deleted while these dependencies are in place: Default Field - <DataformName>"

The following graphic illustrates this scenario:

To proceed with deleting the field you must first select a different field in the Default Field option for the indicated dataform.
Other system configurations depend on the field. Dataform fields that are referenced by system functions cannot be removed. Examples of dependencies include display conditions, workflows, email templates, email integration configuration, and more. In the examples of delete and inactivation messages below, the bulleted list items are links to the dependencies.

You can click the link to continue to the dependency and remove the field from the system function. After removing the dependency, you can delete or inactivate the field.

Warnings to Proceed with Caution

Other situations can exist where you can proceed with deleting or inactivating a field but the Soft Error A soft error is a warning message triggered by a business rule to warn you that there is missing information on a form, or that you are about take an action that could have undesired consequences or is not considered a best practice. You can continue by clicking a confirmation prompt to proceed with the action or you can cancel the action. message warns you to evaluate your settings before continuing:

The field is a secured field referenced in a workflow condition, link condition, or email template condition. The system displays the following warning message. The system will allow you to proceed with deleting a secured field that is not referenced elsewhere or is referenced in a business parameter only by clicking Delete on the warning message.

Business Rules: Soft and Hard Error Validation

Some business rules have hard error validation to prevent deletion or inactivation of a field while others have soft error validation that allows you to proceed but encourages you to evaluate the business rules first. Whether a hard error or soft error displays is determined by the Rule Type defined in the custom logic rule settings (System Admin > Manage Rules).

The messages always list the associated dataform, business rule and business rule method/parameter so that you can review the affected dataform, business rule and method before proceeding with the inactivation or deletion of a field. The bulleted list items shown in the message are links that take you directly to the related custom logic rule.

Deleting and Inactivating Dataform Fields

Deleting a dataform field:

Go to System Admin > Advanced > Dataform Admin.

The Dataform Admin dashboard opens.
From the list, select an entry and click Edit or click (Jump).

The Dataform Properties form opens.
In the Action Center, click Fields.

The Fields list of the dataform displays.
Review the list of fields for the dataform.
Select the row for the field to delete.
Select the Delete button in the toolbar.
Select Delete in the Confirm Delete window. (The message may vary depending on factors such as whether the field is a secured field and has been referenced as a dependency.)
Click Close to return to the Dataform Properties.

Inactivating a dataform field:

Go to System Admin > Advanced > Dataform Admin.

The Dataform Admin dashboard opens.
From the list, select an entry and click Edit or click (Jump).

The Dataform Properties form opens.
In the Action Center, click Fields.

The Fields list of the dataform displays.
Review the list of fields for the dataform.
Double-click the row of the field you want to inactivate.

Field properties display.
In the Settings fieldset, uncheck the Active checkbox.
Click Savebutton.
Select Inactivate in the Confirm Inactivation window. (The message may vary depending on factors such as whether the field is a secured field and has been referenced as a dependency.)
Click Close to return to the field properties.