Export and Import Modern Forms

Revolutionizing Form Portability

Creating custom modern SharePoint forms with rich layout, dynamic rules, permissions, and automation logic is a powerful and flexible capability. But traditionally, keeping these capabilities consistent across environments has required rebuilding them from scratch. That changed with the introduction of the Export and Import functionality in Infowise Ultimate Forms’ Form Designer. Now, you can design once—and seamlessly replicate those forms across lists, sites, site collections, and even tenants.

Whether you're setting up a test form in a development environment or enforcing project-wide consistency, this feature transforms form portability. Working collaboratively is now a breeze—teams develop forms once, export them into a portable file, and import anywhere without redoing design and logic.

What It Does—and What It Doesn’t

The Export/Import feature captures the entire form configuration—including layout, rules, tabs, validations, sections, and permissions—but it stops short of list metadata. You won't replicate list columns, items, or data structures—so your lists must already share the same structure. In practice, this means:

• Column names, types, and internal identifiers should match between the source and destination lists.

• If form design relies on specific columns, ensure those columns already exist in the target list.

• One recommended shortcut: export your list as a template and re-create it in your target environment to guarantee alignment.

Ultimately, Export/Import is about design portability—and keeping logic intact—without manipulating list schema, which remains under your administrative control.

Need to replicate the whole list/site structure? We've got a solution for you as well. Our Template Manager is the tool for the job!

Where Export & Import Opens New Doors

1. Development-to-Production Workflow

Teams commonly build and test forms in development environments. With Export/Import, you can deliver the final, polished design directly into your production lists—without manual duplication.

2. Cross-Site & Cross-Tenant Consistency

Every business department or global office can benefit from consistent form logic. Whether it's HR, Finance, Operations, or Project Management, central form designs can be exported and imported across multiple sites—even across tenants—for uniform application.

3. Disaster Recovery & Backups

Accidental form deletions can stall workflows. Now you can re-import working form configurations from a backup file—getting your platform back online quickly with minimal reconfiguration.

4. Versioning & Iterative Improvements

Want to test changes without touching live forms? Export your current form before making improvements—and then reimport if needed. You can even version the export files, allowing rollback at any point.

5. Collaboration & Sharing

Power users across your organization can share form configurations with one another via export files. Role-based approvals ensure team members can collaborate on form design while maintaining governance.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Exporting & Importing

Exporting a Form

1. Open Ultimate Forms -> Form Designer on the source list.

2. Click the Export button in the top toolbar.

3. Save the resulting .json to your device.

4. Label it clearly (e.g., InventoryForm_v1.json) for future reference.

Importing a Form

1. Open Ultimate Forms -> Form Designer in the destination list.

2. Click the Import button and choose your previously exported file.

3. Review any error messages, ensuring column names align.

4. Optionally perform any required adjustments.

5. Click Publish to make the form available to user.

Best Practices for Smooth Export/Import

Export/Import vs. Full Solution Templates

While Export/Import handles form portability, Infowise’s Template Manager replicates the entire business solution: lists, forms, automations, alerts, and more. Use Export when:

• Only form configuration needs to move between environments.

• List structure is already established.

• You need faster, lighter transfers of design logic.

Use Template Manager when:

• You want to clone entire solutions, including list schema and automation across tenants or sites.

• You’re enabling a rapid deployment workflow for global rollouts.

Turning Theory into Practice: Real-World Examples

Scenario A: HR Onboarding Form Deployment
You build a multi-step HR onboarding form in your test environment. Once finalized, you export the form configuration and import it into HR’s production list. Within minutes, the same logic—including permissions and validation—is live and ready.

Scenario B: Departmental Processes Rollout
The Operations team crafts a robust asset request form. Using Export/Import, IT uploads the same setup across Finance, Facilities, and Compliance lists—and each department benefits from consistent logic without rework.

Scenario C: A/B Testing Form Layouts
You want to try an alternate layout for request prioritization. Export the current form before making changes. If the revised version isn’t successful, simply re-import the original—rollback is immediate and risk-free.

Deepening the Capability: Why This Stands Out

• Zero-Code Configuration: Power users or admins manage the export/import process via the browser—no scripting or backend work needed.

• Streamlined Workflows: One file transfer replaces recreating forms across every list—saving hours of repetitive configuration.

• Governance & Oversight: IT maintains control over list structure, while end-users handle layout and logic through portable files.

• Flexible Collaboration: You can export forms for partner companies, client site setups, or training purposes—spreading best practices quickly.

Final Thoughts

Infowise Ultimate Forms’ Export & Import feature is a game-changer for modern SharePoint application development. It turns form design into a portable, reusable asset—one that can travel freely across environments, reducing duplication, accelerating deployment, and tightening governance.

Pairing this lightweight portability with Template Manager (when entire site logic needs replication) gives you the ultimate flexibility toolkit. Create once, transport form logic, and apply everywhere—without compromise.