Despite the fact that you can create fantastically elaborate Intake Forms, the first form we describe mimics the Pathagoras (Word) input method. It is simple in design. It is also likely to be the data collection form with which you will initially begin your form design work.

•In Column A place your document variables. For example, 'Name of Client', 'Customer Address', etc. There is no limit to the number of variables you can have. The only 'rule' is that the variables in the Column 1 must match the variables in the Word documents you will be associating with the data.

•Once you have listed the variables, save the form. Call it (perhaps) 'Intake Form'. That is all you need to do. (Don't worry about 'completeness.' If you need to add variables later on, just recall 'Intake Form' and add them. If you decide you want to change the order of the variables, change it. Pathagoras can handle any changes without any problems whatsoever.)

•When you are ready to create an Instant Database record, recall 'Intake Form'. In Column B of the form, type the personal values with which you want the variables replaced.

•When you have typed in the proper values, and when you are ready to create the Instant Database record, click the Create IDB Matter Record button from the Pathagoras drop-down menu.

   Notes and Limitations regarding 'Simple Forms':

•Variable names must start in Column A, Row 1.

•There can be no line/cell breaks between rows. If Pathagoras detects an empty row, it 'believes' that there are no more variables and processes only what it saw to that point.

•You must include enclosing brackets which identify the term as a variable (typically '[' and ']')