Roboform, the Form Filling Software Tutorial

Use it to fill in contest/sweepstake entries, job applications, order forms, survey signups, etc.

"Easy to use and without any hidden spyware... Innovative, lean, useful product."
Wall St Journal

"It Knows All Your Passwords (But Promises Not to Tell)". NY Times

"The Best of 2003 -- Most Practical Program. I highly recommend it."
CNET

"Best of all, this program simply works well. We have yet to see a Web-based form stump it."
PC Magazine

"Best web enhancement."
People's Choice Award-2004

Among other things, this form filling software helps you submit:

• Job applications

• Product/software registrations

• Order forms

• Contests/sweepstakes

It also can...

• Log in to your email accounts

• Submit your ezine to ezine directories

• Submit your ebook to ebook directories

• Submit articles

• Make inquiries and request information

• Get you freebies from freebie and other sites

Paid Surveys and Mystery Shopping Newsletter

Want to get paid to do online surveys and offline mystery shopping? Here's a free ezine that provides links to paid survey and mystery shopping companies. Free to join (ad supported).

Please add a name (or initial or nickname) and email address. You can easily unsubscribe by clicking a link at the bottom of each email. Privacy Policy. We will send a confirmation email (you'll need to click the link at the top of that email to confirm your subscription - which is free).

You may wish to bookmark this page for future reference. I have made the title easy to recognize (when it sits in your internet favorites/bookmark list).

I will continually revise this form filling tutorial. This is version 1.1

Don't think you need to read every bit of this all in one gulp. Just think of it as a reference page you can come back to as needed.

Robo Form:  How can it help you?

• Accuracy. Type in your info just once. Double check it. From then on every form will be filled in correctly. Of course, you can easily change the info.
• Save time.
• Save clicks, typing, and overall effort.
• End procrastination because it makes things easier and less burdensome, so you have less dread.
• Reduces repetitive, mundane tasks.
• Quality and productivity. Allocate more time to the things that matter and are more appealing.

In a nutshell:  This is a good time management tool. You just type your name, address, etc. into Robo's Identity form ONCE. From then on, Robo will use this information when it fills in forms. You can choose to set up multiple identities (example:  one for you, one for your spouse, one for your business, one to make information requests, etc.).

I want to make this guide as user friendly as possible. One way is by having links open up in a new window (keeping the source page open). This way you can click a link yet keep your original place (after you close the other window, you end up back where you started).

You can use Robo with all versions of Windows. But, this guide will focus on Windows XP.

At the bottom of this page you'll find out how to get more detailed information on Robo and more about how to use it in other versions of Windows.

Downloading and Installing Robo Form.

Downloading Robo Form

If you haven't already downloaded this form filler, consider doing so to help you sign up with survey companies faster. Just click this link (this page will stay open). The file resides on Robo Form's servers (Robo has processed thousands of successful downloads).

Choose a memorable directory/folder to save the file to (or create a new folder). You can save the file with its original name, AiRoboForm.

Then write down the directory/folder where you will save Robo.

Click Download (or Save). It takes 1-2 minutes depending on your computer's speed.

Installing Robo Form

After you have successfully downloaded Robo, you may wish to wait till later to install it (that is, after you have skimmed this brief overview). You haven't actually installed RoboForm by merely saving it. You'll need to take further action.

It's probably best that you close all programs/windows (including this one) before you install it.

To install it after you have downloaded it/saved it -- if the download screen is still open, click Open.

Or, find the file in your file manager and double click on it.

After you take this action, Robo should install by itself. You will have to do a thing or two, but it will mostly be self-explanatory.

RoboForm (form fill software) overview. The basics to get you up and running.

This guide will just highlight the key things. It is NOT meant to be comprehensive. I don't talk about EVERY feature... Just the KEY ones. The rest you don't need to focus on right now. I think it's better to get an overview of the software and then start using it asap.

Beyond the basics, much of the rest is too specific to each person to list it all here.

This guide is more of a jump starter. It should be enough for most people. My aim is to present the crux of it... The major stuff.

Again, some items I won't even mention.

How to get a feel for RoboForm

• Skim this quick guide.

• Become familiar with the terms (there really are only a couple of them).

• Thumb through the menus.

• Hover over the icons.

• Skim through the tabs.

• Then try Robo on for size. Activate the TaskBar Icon (discussed later) and go to a page with a form (like your email start page).

• Use Robo for a week before you delve deeper into the ins/outs.

Terms to be familiar with

Identity also means profile.

An icon is a small image that represents something. In many cases it brings something up when you click it. Hover over it with your mouse to see what its about. In many cases a bubble with text describing what its function is will appear.

The Robo Form TaskBar Icon is the key item. We'll get to talking about it in just a bit.

Finding AI RoboForm on your computer after it has been installed. And, activating the TaskBar Icon.

In Windows XP. Click Start (lower right). Go to All programs. Look for AI RoboForm. Click TaskBar Icon.

How to know if Robo has been activated and ready to go.

When you have activated Robo, you should notice a robot looking logo appear in your computer taskbar/tray (located at the LOWER RIGHT CORNER of your computer screen). Fear not, that's just the Robo Form Icon (see image below).

As I'll say later again, Robo Form is listed as "AI RoboFORM" in your computer's program directory list.

Turning Robo on and off.

To temporarily turn off Robo Form and stop it from filling in forms for the moment.

Click the TaskBar Icon (which is located in your taskbar/tray --  at the lower right of your monitor screen, left of the clock).

Then scroll up the list of options and click Disable. The TaskBar Icon will stay in your taskbar/tray but will be darkened.

To turn Robo back on after "Disabling it".

Click the TaskBar Icon. Then scroll up and click Enable.

EXIT RoboForm

Easy. Click the TaskBar Icon. Then click Exit (it's at the bottom of the list of TaskBar Icon options).

TaskBar Icon

Whenever the TaskBar Icon is activated, it will reside in your taskbar/tray (you can turn it on/off by clicking it and then clicking Exit). Your computer's tray/taskbar is located at the lower right hand corner of your monitor screen (where your clock is).

The TaskBar Icon is green with a bit of white on the "face". It looks like a desktop computer with a monitor on top (with 2 eyes on the monitor). But, it looks like more like a robot. You be the judge, its image is above:

Activate the TaskBar

In Windows XP, go to Start-All Programs-AI RoboForm-TaskBar Icon.

Or, it might be on your Start Menu Panel. That is what comes up after you click Start in Windows XP.

TaskBar Icon choices.

Personally, I prefer to try and do everything from the TaskBar Icon.

A brief look at the just the key choices available on the RoboForm TaskBar Icon after you have set up an identity.

Click the TaskBar Icon and scroll up and check these options out as you read this. The choices are listed here in the same order as its actually listed on the TaskBar Icon (Exit is the bottom choice on the TaskBar Icon. Help is the top choice).

Some items have been omitted as I just want to show the MAIN features.

• Help. Key things:  Manual and FAQ links.

• Options.

• Users (current users, create a new user, delete a user, rename a user).

• Windows-TaskBar Icon

• Fill forms.  Click the Fill Forms option to fill a form IF Robo doesn't do so automatically. You can set Robo up to fill in forms automatically without any action from you (AutoFill).

Or choose Offer to AutoFill. This way whenever Robo Form spots a form, the AutoFill dialog window will popup. You can either X out of that window, do nothing (and it will remain open), or click one of the choices given.

You can instead use the Toolbar.

• Show Toolbar.

• Identities. Edit Identity. New Identity.

• Login.  Create login and passwords for email accounts, etc.

• Exit

Remove. To temporarily remove the TaskBar Icon from your tray/taskbar, do the following.

Click the TaskBar Icon. Scroll up to Windows. Uncheck TaskBar Icon (by clicking it).

Or, click the TaskBar Icon and click Exit (last option on the list).

Users and Identities. Setting up USERS and IDENTITIES.

First you set up a USER. That could be you, your spouse, your business, whatever.

The best way to understand this is just to do it. Create a USER and an IDENTITY for that user. Just go to the TaskBar Icon and scroll up to USERS and go from there.

Create a USER

Click the TaskBar Icon. Scroll up to USERS. Click New.

Edit users.

Rename or edit users.

Click the TaskBar Icon. Scroll up to USERS. Click the appropriate User.

To change to a different USER

Go to...you guessed it:  The TaskBar Icon. Scroll up to USERS. Select the user whose information you want to fill in.

Identity

You can choose to have just ONE user and ONE Identity, if you want. Or, you can have up to 3 in this version. It's your choice.

This is the contact information, etc. that you want Robo to fill into forms.

Create an Identity

Once you have installed RoboForm, you need to set up an Identity. For now just create one with your first name (you can edit everything later, it's not set in stone).

Whatever info you type into the Identity screen can easily be changed or deleted later on.

Click the RoboForm TaskBar Icon. Scroll up to Identities. Click new. You should see the screen above.

Add an Identity name (your first name, your business name, Surveys, whatever). Click okay.

Then you'll be taken to the Identity screen (see below):

You'll arrive in the Summary tab at first (the above listed image is in the Person tab).

Again, you do NOT need to fill in all the fields.

There are several tabs (starting with Summary and ending with Custom). The Custom tab is not shown on this screen as it is to the right of the last shown tab. You'd have to click the right arrow next to the Default tab to get to the Custom tab).

• Person tab. Click the tab titled Person. Here you fill in all the details pertaining to the Identity you have set up.

• Business tab. If you want to list your business info, click the Business tab.

• Address tab. Click the Address tab to enter address info.

• Other tabs:  Credit Card, Bank Acct, and Default Password tabs. I don't use these.

Custom tab (Field Name, Field Value, and Other Match Strings).

A visual presentation (screen shot) of the Custom tab:

This is a very nice feature. It allows you to create field names (questions asked of you) and field values (which are the answers you supply to the questions on the form).

Custom fields could include anything.

To create a custom field, all you do is type it into the Field Name column.

Examples of custom fields you could create are:  marital status, favorite tv show, political party you belong to, number of cars you have, whether you rent or own a house, etc.

Field names. Info the form wants from you. Examples:  Name, street address, city, state, etc.

In the Custom tab you can enter up to 3 "Field Names" (in this version of Robo you are limited to 3 Field Names). Field names are the questions you are asked on the forms. Name, address, city, email address, etc. It is the information the company seeks to collect from you.

Field values.  Your information. The answers to the questions asked of you on forms. Example:  123 Main Street.

When Robo sees a Field Name, it fills in the blank space next to the Field Name with the corresponding Field Value that you have previously supplied it with (ONCE). Again, you can change this information.

Other Match Strings

This is just different words and phrases that mean the same thing as the word listed in the Field Name field. Enter one word or phrase per line (hit enter after you type it).

Example:  Refer to the screen shot below for the following example.

A survey company's form may have a field/question where they request that you type in your "job".

Of course, in the Person tab you can enter your job title. BUT, say you want to list other names for job. You may wish to do this because another survey company may phrase the request using the word "occupation" or "employment", instead. All three words (employment, occupation, and job) have the same meaning, in this case.

Go to the Custom tab.

Type in "job" under the Field Name heading (in the first empty row).

In this example, you're an accountant. So you type accountant into the Field Value heading (same row as where you typed job).

All related items should be on the same row.

Now go to the Other Match Strings heading. Go to the same row as you just typed the other words. Then you type in words that have the same meaning as job (occupation and employment). Hit enter after you type each word.

Now, when Robo comes to a form with job, occupation, or employment in the field/question, it will supply what you have typed into the Field Value column (in this case, accountant).

There are two other examples listed here (car you own and favorite drink). Take a look to ensure you get the idea.

Pro version Field Names, Field Values, and Other Match Strings.

In the Pro version, you get UNLIMITED field names, unlimited field values and unlimited Other Match Strings.

In the Pro version, you can enter several paragraphs of info in one field value. For example, you could paste in your resume, a product description, an article, a letter, etc.

Also, you can store an unlimited number of separate text passages.

Example:  If you're applying for jobs, you might be asked to give a 200 word explanation of your strengths and weaknesses. You create the answer once. Then you store this text in a Field Value next to the Field name "Strengths and weaknesses". The Other Match Strings box on that row could have "pros, cons,", etc.

Another example provided to me by a subscriber is an online dating service. One Field asks you to provide a description of yourself. Another Field asks you to describe your ideal mate. Another Field asks you to describe your outlook on life.

Desktop. Adding your Identity Name to your computer's desktop. Here's how:

I think it's a good idea to put Robo on your desktop so you to see it often and remember to use it!

TaskBar-Identities. In the My Identity Screen, go to the Action menu. Then scroll down to Put on Desktop.

After you have clicked Put on Desktop, check out your desktop. What will appear is the IDENTITY name you created listed underneath a faceless guy in green suit and tie (see image above). In the future, whenever you want to access this IDENTITY, just go to your desktop and double click Mr. Green.

Identity editing.

Go to TaskBar Icon. Scroll up to Identities. Click Edit.

You will edit the Identity that was last used (or the default Identity).

To edit another Identity, go to the TaskBar Icon. Then scroll to Identities and pick the appropriate Identity that you want to edit.

Here are the key My Identity menu items
(in the Identity screen).

ACTION menu-Put on Desktop

View menu-OPTIONS-General tab

Offer to AutoFill (see AutoFill under Filling in forms).

Offer to AutoSave.

This feature will prompt you to save passwords and login info. Personally, I prefer to have the AutoSave box blank. It's fine for certain email accounts.  But, I don't want it to save login/passwords for bank accounts, etc. Of course, you could tell Robo not to save the info each time...But, it's a hassle always having to tell it not to do so.

Show RoboForm in Taskbar on windows startup.

If you want Robo to start automatically each time you start windows, click the box at the bottom titled Show RoboForm Icon in Taskbar on Windows Startup.

This is totally optional. It may be a good idea because it will be a constant reminder that will get you to remember to use Robo.

SEARCH tab

I unclick all of the boxes.

AutoFill tab (see AutoFill under Filling in forms)

Fill Non-Empty Fields

Toolbars (upper and lower)

The RoboForm toolbar (image is just above) is the long thin rectangle of icons and text labels that runs along the bottom and/or top of your screen. It starts with the Robo Form icon and ends with Generate.

There is an upper and lower toolbar. Choose the one that you're more comfortable with. Or, if you wish, go with NO toolbar. The choice is yours. Some people find the toolbars annoying as they mesh with your browser and may clutter up your screen. You be the judge.

Customize the toolbar

Choosing whether you want to display text labels or Icons or both.

Click the RoboForm Icon (it's located at the far left of the toolbar). Scroll up to Toolbar. See the heading Text labels: Here you can choose what you want to appear in the Robo toolbar. Just text (example just display the word Save but NOT an image next to it). Or, Text AND icon (Example:  the word Save and the corresponding icon would show up). Or, just icon (an icon is just an image that represents something).

To add or remove icons from the toolbar.

Click the RoboForm Icon (it's located at the far left of the toolbar). Scroll up to Toolbar. Click Customize Toolbar.

In the RIGHT pane of the Customize Toolbar screen are all the items that are listed on the RoboForm toolbar.

To remove items, just click the ones you want to remove and then click Remove (it's in the middle of the 2 panes).

To add items, click on the item in the LEFT pane and click Add (it's in the middle of the 2 panes).

To remove the lower toolbar

Click the X (far right of the toolbar). You'll be asked:  Do you want to see RoboForm Lower Toolbar next time you open a window in this browser?  Click No.

To remove the upper toolbar:

Right click somewhere on the upper web browser space (sorry but the name escapes me but it is the space that all your browsers upper icons and menu items lay on). Right click with your mouse, say, the BLANK space just to the right of your web browser's Help menu. Select Robo Form.

Or:  Go to the toolbar. Click The Robo Form Text Label/Icon (at the far left of the toolbar). Scroll to the bottom of the list and click Hide.

To turn the toolbars back on:

Click the TaskBar Icon (lower right, in your computer tray/taskbar, left of the clock). Click Show Toolbar.

Or:  Right click the upper web browser space (the blank space next to the menu items). For example, right click the blank space just to the right of Internet Explorer's Help menu. Then scroll down to and select Robo Form.

Toolbar. When you remove the toolbars, they may come back up so you might have to repeat the above listed toolbar closing steps once or twice.

Filling in Forms

If you don't change the user or identity, the last used or default user/identity's information will be used to fill in forms.

If you want to use another User's information, click TaskBar Icon, then User or Identities .

For example, if you are going to go to survey sites to fill in their sign up forms, you would choose the User you have set for yourself. Then you either go with your standard Identity (you can have one identity or 3 identities per user). Or, you could use an Identity that you have set up specifically for applying for jobs...or filling in surveys.

Again, you can choose to have just ONE user and ONE identity.

3 ways to fill in forms

1. Autofill. You can have Robo automatically fill in every form without notifying you (without asking your permission). See below for how to do it.

2. Offer to AutoFill. You can have Robo prompt you every time there's a form on the page you visit. The AutoFill dialog screen will popup and request that you click something in the box. It won't fill in the form until you have made a choice. See below for how to do it.

3. You can manually click the Fill Forms button whenever you
   come across a form you want to fill in. The Fill Forms button is located on the TaskBar Icon (just click the TaskBar Icon and scroll up to Fill Forms).

AutoFill.

You can choose to have Robo fill in all forms without asking you (so every form it sees, it will fill it in without any action on your behalf. You do nothing. In fact, you may not even realize it has filled in a form).

The AutoFill tab is the last tab on the right of the Options menu. It is just right of Version. Unfortunately, it didn't show up in the screen shot below.

Just check the box to turn AutoFill on. You can uncheck it if you want to turn it off.

Offer to AutoFill.

To set up Offer to AutoFill do this:  Click the TaskBar Icon. Scroll up to Options. The General tab should appear. Check the Offer to Autofill boxes (see the screen shot image a bit below).

If you have chosen Offer to AutoFill, every time a form comes up the AutoFill screen will popup. The AutoFill dialog screen is shown just below:

                          

AutoFill Dialog Screen options:

The AutoFill window (see screen shot just above) will prompt you to take an action. You can choose to click one of the choices, ignore it, or close it (click the X). But, if you close it, it will come back up when it sees another form.

The Fill Forms button would fill in the form that's up on your screen.

The Fill & Submit button would fill in the form AND submit it (so you don't have to click the submit button). I don't select this as I like to take a quick skim over the form before I submit it.

Never button (not shown in screenshot). It has taken over the Unblock position. If you click the Never button on the screen you'll be given 2 options:  1)  Do not AutoFill at THIS site. 2) Do not AutoFill at ALL sites.

To turn AutoFill off

Click TaskBar Icon. Scroll up to Options. In the General Tab, uncheck (leave boxes blank) the boxes titled Offer to AutoFill. See screenshot just below.

If you unclick "Offer to AutoFill", you'll have to MANUALLY activate this screen when you want to have forms filled in.

Fill Forms

That's easy. Just click the TaskBar Icon. Scroll up to Fill Forms. Then the Fill Forms screen will come back up. Choose either Fill Forms or Fill and Submit (that's if you also want Robo to click the Submit button for you).

You can override whatever info Robo Form fills in.

Just type over it or delete it.

New:  How to have Robo fill in Yes  No question boxes.

When you go to fill in Its Your Opinion's sign up form (and OTHER survey companies, too), you'll be glad you knew how to do the following!  At the end of their sign up form you will be presented with
a bunch of offers. You MUST click either the yes or no box that lays
next to EACH offer.

Let Robo do it for you, INSTANTLY. Here's how:

Note:  The following technique does NOT work for every form with yes/no question boxes, but it does for the Its Your Opinion form. Shhhh...

1) Open up the Identity you want to use to fill in forms. How?  Click the RoboForm TaskBar Icon (lower right of your screen, left of your computer clock, that is IF you have activated it). To see how to activate it, click here.

Once the TaskBar is activated, scroll up to Identites and pick the Identity you wish to use. You may well have JUST ONE identity. Or, yours could be the DEFAULT. If so, you don't have to pick an Identity now.

2) Once the proper Identity is activated, click the RoboForm TaskBar Icon. Scroll up to Options. In the RoboForm Options screen, click the tab called:  IE menus. Look under the column, Commands (at the far right). Look for Set Fields (which is near the bottom). Click the blank box on the corresponding row (the row that Set Fields is on) that is under the first column called:  Toolbar. Then click Okay.

You should now see a √ (checkmark). If not, click the empty box again.

3) Go to the form you want filled in. Click the TaskBar Icon and scroll up to Fill Forms. It may prompt you to pick an Identity. Choose an Identity (if there) and then click Fill Forms. Or, alternatively, you could click Fill and Submit (that action will cause to fill in the form and ALSO click the Submit button for you).

If that doesn't work click the TaskBar Icon and scroll up to Fill Forms. This time, though, click the box labeled More (lower right of the Fill Forms screen). Then click Set Fields. All the boxes should be clicked.

Hopefully all the boxes should be checked instantly. If not, go through the above listed steps. If that still doesn't work, maybe they have changed the form!

Congratulations!  You just saved yourself about 75 clicks and a minute or two. Pat yourself on the back.

Password generator

It will create passwords for you instantly.

Go to the TaskBar Icon. Select Windows. Select Password Generator.

Password tip

Whenever you use passwords, be sure to write your password down in 2 places. A good idea is to keep a paper on a clipboard and designate it SOLELY for login and passwords. Then, make a copy of it and store the copy somewhere else.

Personally, I never keep my login or password on my computer. I prefer stone age methods, sometimes.

For most things, you can get by with using the same login/password (especially if you have Zone Labs Firewall Software and maybe hardware firewall, like with a router). Click here for a free download of Zone Labs firewall software.

But, for things like bank accounts, mutual fund accounts, and other things you have to be sure no one else accesses, use completely different logins and passwords for each account.

For sites that store information that MUST be kept private, be sure that each account has as long a login name and password as the company allows! 

And, make your logins and passwords a collection of non-descript, random letters AND numbers (that mean absolutely nothing). Forget using your name, birth date, or any word.

Example:

Login:  67tyjep398
Password:  hj89648213nr

Be sure to clearly designate what the character is when you write it down. Or, maybe don't ever use O or Q, the letters.

If you use a zero (0), write it down with a line through it. 0. Otherwise, you might think it is O, the letter.
If you use 7, write it down with a cross through it (European 7). 7 could otherwise be misconstrued as being l, I, 1, etc.

Robo topics I'll talk about in future issues

I left out passcards, safe notes, folders, and a few other things. I'll tackle that in a later issue. I figure, you just
want to know the basics. I don't want to overwhelm you.

When it comes to learning how to use a new software program, I think the key is to get an overview enough to be able to start using it. Then use it for awhile. Then go back and read the manual a bit.

Later on, you'll be in a better position to judge if you need to learn more and what's important to you or not. Beyond the basics, much of the rest is too specific to each person to go into great detail here.

Provided by http://completelistofpaidsurveysites.com the free paid survey site. Get a free list of links to paid survey companies. You may copy this article and post it anywhere so long as you do not change anything (keeping this link and information in place).

Want more detailed information on Robo?

If you want more detailed info on RoboForm, see the Help menu. Click the TaskBar Icon (in your lower right tray/taskbar). Scroll up to the top (Help). Choose Entire Manual or Entire FAQ.