The following guide takes you through the various question types available in Custom Forms in PPS and PPS Express.
Forms can be built and modified in your main PPS system. See our general Custom Forms guide here for more details on building the form.
If you use PPS Express in addition to the full PPS system then you can access and complete your forms here too. Not all PPS question types will be visible in Express, this guide will details which question types can or cannot be used in PPS Express.
Normal Text
Normal text questions are plain text fields for which you can limit the permitted number of characters. Enter a character limit in the Length field to add a restriction. Use input control to force uppercase entry if required.
Choose multiple entries to have more than one answer field for this particular question is there should be multiple or multi-part answers. Each entry can have it's own prompt to indicate what information should be entered here. You can also allow for the addition of extra, free text notes.
Pressing Options at the bottom of the screen from which you can set specific merge fields to populate in as many fields as you have chosen to be present in the question. Entering a merge field will mean that the specific entry in the question cannot be filled in but will instead automatically populate information based on the chosen PPS merge field.
Normal Text Question Types are accessible in PPS Express.
Numeric
Numeric questions are limited to numeric entries only. Control the limit of the number length and value using the Length and Minimum/Maximum Value fields. If you want a decimal point to appear then choose by how many places to apply this in the Decimals field.
Enable "Spinner" input to have an up-down arrow option to allow you to increase and decrease the value based on the increment set by you.
As with Normal Text questions you can choose how many numeric answer entries you would like for this particular question.
In Numeric question types the Options button allows you to input formula to make calculations based on other numeric questions on the same form.
Below is an example of such formula where the answer to this question would populate the result of Question 8 x(Question 6 ÷ Question 5).
If you add a formula then you will not be able to add text to the respective entry when filling the form in as the result will be automatically calculated.
Numeric Question Types are accessible in PPS Express.
Date
Any answers to this question must follow a DD/MM/YYYY format.
When filling in this question type double click the empty answer space to automatically populate today's date.
Use the options field to populate date-type merge fields such as <<NEXTAPPTDATE>>
Date Question Types are accessible in PPS Express.
Multiple Choice
Multiple choice questions allow you to pre-set answers that can be selected in each instance of filling in the form.
Add the available answers to the table on the left by pressing Add and typing the answer content in the New field.
Choosing more than one Entry will show the multiple choice dropdown that number of times allowing you to choose a different answer each time if required.
Multiple Choice Question Types are accessible in PPS Express.
Check Box
Check boxes are simple tick boxes. Each Entry is a separate tick box in the question. You can choose to limit the answer to only one check box or allow as many as required to be chosen.
The Options button in this question type allows you to define what text will show in your Microsoft Word export of the custom form for each relevant check box entry if it has been ticked.
Check Box Question Types are accessible in PPS Express.
Radio
Radio buttons allow the selection of only one option of predefined elements. Here, each entry will be a separate radio button and only one may be selected.
Radio Button Question Types are accessible in PPS Express.
Free Text
Free text question text allow for entry of larger quantities of free text. Choose the number of rows to limit the size of the text box and allow text formatting if required.
Free Text Question Types are accessible in PPS Express.
Answer Headings
Answer headings cannot be altered and instead show the text entered here. These can be used as prompts for other questions or to populate merge fields such as in the example above.
Answer Headings are accessible in PPS Express.
Body Chart
Body charts are images that you can annotate using text and line drawings. Use the Body Chart Image File option to select a body chart from the range that come as standard with your PPS system or add your own using the Select an Image from another location option.
Body Charts are not accessible in PPS Express.
Mouse Click Scale
Mouse click scales allow you select a number in a pre-set range. Set that range here using the Lowest and Highest value fields.
Mouse Click Scale Question Types are accessible in PPS Express.
Existing PPS LookUp Table
This question type allows you to make selections based on other data on your system such as appointment types, diagnoses, and locations.
Lookup Table Question Types are accessible in PPS Express.
Dental Chart
This question type adds a standard dental chart to your custom form for which you can add annotations and colour coding. Choose to have specific colours mark the entire tooth automatically via the tick boxes.
Dental Charts are not accessible in PPS Express.
Signature
PPS Local systems can use a signature pad to take signatures directly from clients and record them in custom forms.
PPS Local systems can support wired Topaz signature pads such as the T-S261-HSB-R and T-S2461-HSB-R. You'll need to ensure you have the Topaz software installed locally and that the sigplus.ocx file is registered.
Signature Question Types are not accessible in PPS Express.
Create a Charge
This option adds the ability to raise charges directly from your custom form. You can limit this to only items recorded as standard charges and stock items rather than any ad-hoc charges.
Create a Charge Question Types are not accessible in PPS Express.
Total of Charges Raised
This question type display the total of any charges raise in the current form. This is useful if you have multiple Create a Charge questions.
Total Charges Question Types are accessible in PPS Express.
Medical History Question
Use this question type to add a Medical History Question to your custom form. Answering this question in the custom form will update the same question in the client's Medical History.
Medical History Question Types are accessible in PPS Express.
Time
Use this question type for answers in 24h time formal.
Time Question Types are not accessible in PPS Express.