If you're a user of FileMaker's Bento app, but it's just not living up to your expectations anymore, then give Tap Forms a try. Tap Forms is available for iPhone, iPad, and Mac, just like Bento. Tap Forms also does things that Bento doesn't, such as synchronize all your data, including media attachments using Apple's iCloud sync service. Tap Forms also comes with 26 different form templates to choose from. You can also very easily make your own forms or customize the built-in ones to make it perfect just for you. Tap Forms for iOS also has integration with Dropbox to make file transfers simple and easy. Dropbox integration makes it easy to use Tap Forms' powerful import and export function to help you bring your data into Tap Forms and to help you share your data with others.
But don't just take my word for it, head on over to the Bento User's website at http://www.bentousers.com/20130510-meet-tap-forms-a-worthy-bento-competitor/ and find out what they think of Tap Forms.
Thanks!
Brendan
I just downloaded the Mac version. I would like to know if i have to separately download the iPad and iPhone versions, or if one download covers me, and if so, how many devices and platforms. I would also like to know if there are tutorials. I am a practiced Access user, but I’m trying to get my business matters set up on my Apple products.
Thanks,
Leah
Hello Leah,
Thanks for downloading Tap Forms for Mac! Each version of Tap Forms is a separate purchase. But you only need to purchase one license of each version for all the devices you own. For example, if you have a MacBook and an iMac, then you only need the one license of Tap Forms Mac to run on each machine. That’s as long as you’re using the same Apple ID on each of your devices. If you have an entire business with different users using Tap Forms, then you need to buy a license for each Apple ID that’s associated with each user. The same goes for the iOS versions. If You have multiple iPhones that you use yourself with your Apple ID (or even an iPod touch and an iPhone), then you only need the one license. A separate license would be required for the iPad version. But only one license, even if you have it installed on an iPad 4 and an iPad mini for example. Basically as long as you use the same Apple ID on multiple devices, you can install any app on each of those devices.
There’s a quick-guide on my Support page, but at the moment it’s geared towards the iPhone version. But the concepts are the same across all versions of Tap Forms. I’m also happy to give you a tour over screen sharing via Skype to show you around if you have questions.
Thanks!
Brendan
Well, Brendan,
My husband and I run the business together. We share Pages and Numbers across our computers, so I think we must have the same user. I know both iPads have the same ID, but I’m not sure about the phones.
My current concern with learning how to sharpen this tool, is that I’m trying to create forms that look professional in addition to containing the correct list of information. Your preview page in the app store said the database was relational and that it syncs with contacts and the calendar. I need to know how to use these functions and how to make the form, well, pretty.
Any suggestions you have would be great. As for putting together a generalized “form” as a starter, it was easier than pie (and I’ve baked many). The lists for editing fields was SO useful and the ability to change label colors makes life easier as well. So far, I’m happy, I just want to become an expert so as to use this tool to its absolute best advantages.
Thanks,
Leah
Hello Leah,
You can tell by looking at the iCloud settings screen on your devices. It should list the account name. If they all have the same account name then you’re good to go.
The database is relational in the sense that you can link forms together so that when viewing a record in one form you can see a list of records from another form linked to the parent record. It’s useful for things like keeping track of a list of calls made to a particular customer. You could keep track of the call time, date, duration, and notes about the customer. That’s just one example.
Tap Forms doesn’t sync with the Calendar app actually. But there are date, time, and date & time fields which you can use to set those values on fields in your form.
As for syncing with Contacts, it’s not really a sync either. It’s more of a reference. If you add a contact to your Contacts app, Tap Forms can reference that contact in a field in a form and display all the contact information inside Tap Forms.
Thanks!
Brendan
Ok Brendan,
Having purchased for several different platforms and users, how do I sync them all? We’re each on different user names.
-Leah
Hello Leah,
Tap Forms can only sync to the same iCloud user because when you’re logged into iCloud with the same user account on multiple devices, that’s the only way Tap Forms can see all the shared files. It can’t see any files that are owned by other iCloud accounts.
Thanks,
Brendan
Brendan,
Is there another way to share forms and data across users? Exchange, perhaps? Since tapforms can sync my contacts and I can exchange my contacts with my husband through exchange, can I exchange my forms with him?
-Leah
Hello Leah,
You can email your form templates to your husband and he can import that. You can also email the records by exporting them and emailing them to him. He can then import the records. But that’s not a sync system. Also, Tap Forms doesn’t actually sync contacts. The operating system must be syncing contacts if you guys are both using the same Exchange account for that.
Thanks,
Brendan
Thanks again for your help, Brendan.
This should be an upgrade, I think. Sync is one of the most powerful tools in your box especially as compared to access, an so long as each device has a licence, they should simply be able to pick each other up if they share iCloud access. I say this both out of self interest and because, having sold my husband on this tool for our business, I have also fallen in love with its usability (SO EASY) as well as its greater levels of options for the non-programmer (like my husband) that so far outweigh even access, I am impressed.
-Leah
I just bought the tap forms for Mac, thinking that it will replace my Bento 4, but I am disappointed becaise I can only one form of one database. In Bento we can create many forms from one data base. the printing area is also disappointed because it can only print table format where the long-contents field will be truncated by the column width. I am disappointed because I was lured by “Hey Bento users! Looking for a Refreshing Change?” It is not a refreshing change but a backward change. I am sorry for negative comment. but thats the truth.
Hello Paul,
I am working on a layout engine which will let you create multiple layouts per form. So I think that will cover that issue for you. Also, if you print in landscape you can get more fields to display in the printout. And another tip is that if you’re viewing your records in table column mode, then when you adjust the widths of the columns, that will also adjust the widths of the columns for printout purposes.
Thanks!
Brendan
Is it possible to import bento databases?
Hello Robin,
You can import the databases as long as you first export from Bento using the CSV export option.
Thanks!
Brendan
Brendan,
I would simply like to create a custom database, under Business Accounts, for a small sales operation.
I want to ensure that the approx 5 people in the office have access to update this database on their iMac, iPad, iPhone, etc.
Please advise as to whether or not this is possible, and if I am clear on the licensing. (1 for iOS, 1 for iPad, 1 for iPhone – unless under different apple id)
Thank you,
Mr T
Hi Mr. T,
Tap Forms isn’t a multi-user database system. So you would not be able to use it effectively with multiple users with each user modifying and updating the database. It was designed to be used by one user. Now, with iCloud sync you can make changes on one device and have them synced over to your other devices, but it’s a half manual, half automatic process. You initiate the sync process from the device you made changes to, then wait for your other devices to auto-sync once iCloud has sent all the files over to them.
As for licensing, it would be one for each platform (iPhone, iPad, and Mac). But I don’t know if the licensing Apple had in mind for App Store apps was for a business to use the same Apple ID to install one copy of an app on each of their machines at the office. They have an Enterprise Volume Purchasing Program for that:
http://www.apple.com/business/vpp/
Thanks!
Brendan
I’m attempting to switch from Bento. After exporting from Bento, using the only option that works, .csv (text with comma separation), I import into Tap Forms and all fields are populated with “text” type fields. Tap Forms displays all fields correctly and accurately, however in “text” type fields only. If I change the field type to the proper type, for example date fields to date type, all date values disappear, leaving nothing in the field. If I change the field type back to “text”, the date values reappear. How can I assign the appropriate field type to the imported data?
Thanks,
jschaman (from Ontario)
Hi jschaman
You need to choose the field types on the import records window before you click the import button. There’s popup menus for each field you’re importing. I’m assuming you’re referring to the Mac version.
Also, Tap Forms Mac 2.0 has a dedicated Bento Template Import command which makes importing trivial. Just waiting for Apple to review and approve it. It will be a free upgrade.
Thanks!
Brendan
Thank you it partially worked. For some reason, my date fields are blank, as is the Dollar amount field. Others look correct.
John
I’ve overcome most obstacles in my transition from Bento to TapForms. One further challenge as I migrate other databases to TapForms: Can I create a calculation field that is essentially a “totalling”field, ie. it takes the total from the previous record and adds the number from the present field to create a new total.
In other words, using HanDBase, I track exercise “points” where a point is a 20 min “unit” of exercise. I track the number of points per month, with the goal being one point per day per month. What I have had is a “point” number field and a “total” calculated field. I enter the “point” value as a number for a given day and the “total” field is calculated automatically.
In HanDBase the formula builder allowed “(PREV Total+Points). Any way to replicate this in TapForms?
John
Hi John,
Tap Forms doesn’t have access to the values in a previous record. How does HanDBase handle changes in sorting of your records in reference to previous records? What really is a previous record? Is it based on creation date or does it change based on the sorting of your records?
Thank you for your prompt reply. You are obviously interested in offering a quality product.
I believe it is the “previous record” according to “sorting of the records.” I sort according to the”date” field, which is the date the exercise was performed. Even if I enter an exercise date that had been previously missed, eg. say a week before, and say 5 days had been entered since the missed date, the new entry displays in the right date order and the calculations for “total” are corrected for each record.
I have used many databases that offered this calculation, allowing easy access to the running total for that field. I first used this in databases on the Apple Newton and then the Palm Pilot and it was always available on subseuent devices in the Palm lineup, culminating eventually in the Palm Pre. After the Palm Pre, I switched to the iPhone 4 and now the iPhone 5. There were always databases or lists that allowed this type of “running total”, For example, if someone were tracking total sales of a particular item, as the sold “number” is entered for each day, the “total” would immediately be displayed. I think this would be a powerful and important addition to Tapforms. I don’t know how hard it would be to create such a calculated field.
Thank you again!
John
Hi John,
So if you were to re-sort your records by some other field, all the calculations would be re-computed for each calculation field in each record?
You know Brendan, I’ve never tried nor consdered that. My guess would be “yes”. Let me figure out how I can test that. Although the sort order would be different, the final total would still be the same, wouldn’t it?
John
Hi John,
Yes, the final total would be the same. But you can get the final total in Tap Forms also using the Calculation at the Form level as opposed to the Field level.
Brendan
In my particular application, I start over with the calculated “total” field at the beginning of every month, by resetting to zero. I do this by making a “month closing entry” in the points field, which is -(total). Recall that “total” = (PREV Total+Points) In other words, if the “total” field is x at the end of a month, I create, under the first day of the next month, a record entitled “closing month”, where the point entry is -x. Therefore, the “total” field of the previous record (last day of the month) is x and the “points” field of the present record (first day of the next month) is -x, giving the present record “total” field calculation of “x-x=0”. In that way, the “total” at the beginning of every month is zero and on the last day of every month the “total” field shows the number of points (where one point is equal to one 20 minute session of exercise) achieved that month.
The intent is to have the equivalent of one point of exercise for every day of the month. It’s unlikely that one point (20 minutes of exercise) can be achieved each and every day. By missing a day, it would be necessary to have another day where 2 points are achieved.
In my medical practice of 35 years in Cardiac Rehabilitation & Sports Medicine (www.jschaman.com), I attempt to have patients achieve this goal (eg. 30 points in a month that has 30 days, etc.). If TapForms could make this calculation, it would be an ideal way for not only myself, but for patients to track thier exercise habits.
It would also be useful for keeping track of monthly sales per month, eg. number of items sold, dollar value of items sold, etc.
Thanks,
John
Hi John,
I agree, it would be useful to have this feature. Thanks for the detailed explanation of your use case for this feature. I can’t commit to adding any specific user requested features, but I do take every feature request into consideration when I’m planning my updates. Some are simple to add and some not so simple. I have some things that I’m planning on starting in the new year which are going to take a considerable amount of time to implement. One of them is label printing which is a big job but is often requested, especially since Bento had it and a lot of users are coming from Bento and would like that ability. So I’ll do my best, but I make no guarantees it will get in there anytime soon. I hope you understand.
Thanks!
Brendan
I fully understand and I very much appreciate your efforts.
In the mean time, I can calculate the “total” field manually, which in this particular case, is really a simple calculation not requiring any real computing.
I have your app on my Mac, my iPhone5, and my iPad. I’m recommending TapForms to eveyone, far and wide!
John