Hi Scott, No worries; happy to elaborate.
Yes, I use the terms Calculated Custom Data Parameters and Calculated Field interchangeably
In principal, using Required Fields to prevent submitting the Request until it is 100% is a common, tactile approach
In practice, once Form Logic is introduced that (as you discovered) hides any such required fields, the wheels fall off the wagon
That can obviously lead to user frustration, and can culminate in entering "Whatever" just to meet the Required aspect (worst case scenario, imho)
Presumably, the Form Logic is important, and will help guide users to what they need (and reduce frustration)
And so, to avoid the can't-fill-in-what-you-can't-see gotcha, I suggest you remove the Required settings on any such field (at least)
To then return to the prevent submitting objective, yes, I am also suggesting you use a Calculated Custom Data Parameter
The formula is indeed usually a series of IF statements, likely mirroring the Form Logic, typically resolving to a finite set of obvious states (e.g. "Green", "Yellow", "Red")
Because that data is persisted, you can then build Reports that Filter, Group, Sort, and highlight such items accordingly, decreasing the chance of submitting the form prematurely
BONUS POINTS: I just thought of this, but with all of the above in place, you could also add a single Required checkbox called "I have reviewed and confirmed the contents and accuracy of this Request", and put it in a special Section with Form Logic on it that ONLY makes that section visible for the user to check when the formula resolves to (for example) "Green"...what an interesting reversal on my earlier assertion.
Learning to harness Calculated Custom Data Parameters is one of the most powerful, interesting, frustrating (wait: what?), and fun aspects of Workfront, and I encourage you to fearlessly dive in. There are lots of other folks willing to help in that particular swimmin' hole. Regards, Doug Doug Den Hoed - AtAppStore Got Skills? Lend a hand!
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