Frequently Asked Questions - Design Imports and Exports

I want to send the form design to someone else but I can't find the document on the system!

TeleForm differs from many other types of document creation applications. When you create a new form in TeleForm and save it, the design and configuration of that form is held completely internally to the TeleForm system.

If you need to send the form design to somebody else on the same network, and they have a TeleForm installation linked to the same TeleForm server, you will both be sharing the same forms - there is no need to send it. Any forms you create will be visible by the other TeleForm user.

If, however, you need to send the form design to a separate TeleForm system, for example to staff at ePC Technical Support, you need to effectively export a copy of the form from your system and them email them the resultant file so that they may import a copy of the template on their system.

This page will describe the process of how to do this.

I need to send a copy of the form to my printers so that they may print it in bulk. Do I need to export it?

No, not unless they have a copy of TeleForm in their office too! The best way to send a copy of the form image to a print house is to generate either a high-resolution PDF or graphic. This can be done by performing a print to PDF, or by using the Copy to Clipboard feature of the Designer (in the Edit menu when you have your form open.

The Export/Import functions described on this page are not required for this.

How do I export a copy of the form design template from TeleForm?

If you need to send a copy of the form design template to an external user of TeleForm (including ePC Technical Support), or just need to create a safe backup of your form(s) on a different server, follow the steps below.

1. Open up TeleForm Designer
2. From the File menu, select Templates. For earlier versions of TeleForm, this option may be called Forms.
3. Browse through the internal directory structure of forms, and right-click on the template you want to export. Choose Export...
4. In the window that appears, the Export Format drop-down allows you to choose what type of file you want to export the form to. Wherever possible, choose TeleForm (TFT). If this isn't available (in earlier versions), choose the TFW option.
5. Click on the Properties button and choose a version of TeleForm which corresponds to the system which will import the form. Note: if sending to ePC Technical Support, choose the very latest version in the list.
6. Click OK.
7. Now choose a destination to store the exported file. Once done, click Export.
8. If you need to send this file via email, simply copy and paste it as an attachment.

How do I import a form design template into my TeleForm system?

If you have received a form design template via email, or if you are restoring a backup, follow the steps below:

1. Place the TFT or TFW file in an easily accessible place (for example on your PC desktop).
2. Open up TeleForm Designer.
3. From the File menu, select Templates. For earlier versions of TeleForm, this option may be called Forms.
4. Browse to an internal data folder in which you'd like to import the form. Right-click on the folder name and select Import...
5. Enable the Preserve auto exports if you wish to keep the data export configuration from the form design.
6. Click the Browse button to select the folder on your system which contains the TFT or TFW file. Once you've selected the correct folder (e.g. your PC Desktop), click OK.
7. Back in the Import window, you should now see the form title listed at the top (provided you have selected TFT or TFW accordingly).
8. Click on the template in the list and click the Import button at the bottom. You may receive a confirmation screen up at this stage.
9. If the form already exists on your system, you will be asked if you want to replace the existing copy with the new. You can also choose to Cancel out of the whole import procedure at this stage.
10. The import procedure is now complete and the form can be opened into the Designer workspace.

Note: Any merges set up for this form will also be imported at this stage.