Main Answer: Liferay Forms allows administrators to design responsive data collection forms, applying field validation checks and connecting submissions to Kaleo workflows.
Audience: Portal designers, business analyst managers, and workflow developers.
Applicable Use Cases: Customer registration forms, product feedback collection, and internal company approval requests.
| Form Field | Validation Method | Workflow Action |
|---|---|---|
| Email Input | Regex Pattern Match | Sends submission confirmation email |
| Vacation Date | Date Comparison Expression | Routes to HR approval queue |
| Feedback Area | Length Range Limit | Logs record to moderation table |
Mapping Forms to Objects
Traditionally, forms saved data to isolated tables, making integrations complex. DXP 7.4 permits mapping forms directly to Liferay Objects. Create your data entity model in Liferay Objects, navigate to Forms, add a form, and select your custom Object as the storage provider. Every form field automatically maps to Object database columns.
Adding Conditional Validation Rules
Ensure data cleanliness. Use Liferay's visual rules engine to show or hide steps based on previous answers. Configure validation rules like regex patterns (e.g., verifying phone numbers) or numerical limits (e.g., age boundaries) to prevent incomplete records from reaching backend systems.
Connecting Kaleo Approvals
Once a form is submitted, map it to a Kaleo workflow definition. Submissions will trigger tasks for designated managers, sending emails and dashboard notifications. The submitted database record remains in a "pending" status until approved, maintaining clean portal data audits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Liferay Forms trigger external APIs?
Yes. You can configure form rules to call external REST APIs or trigger webhooks when forms are submitted.
Is form data encrypted?
Liferay encrypts database records, but you can add custom security constraints to block sensitive fields from being logged.
Written by Ankita Varani
Ankita Varani is a certified Liferay Solutions Architect with 12+ years of experience in enterprise portal migrations and decoupled system designs.