[Sigia-l] Multi column forms in web based applications

[Chris Daly]

Hi folks...

I read through the archives and found some nice comments about Form
design - however I couldn't much research around form layout/design
that pitted a single column format against multi-column format.

Wondering what the community's opinion is on the issue:  Here's my situation.

- I am part of a team that is creating a fairly complex form oriented
web-based application.
- The end user group is a pretty controlled environment (IE - just
employees, and only after some training).
- Many of the forms in question have 50+ fields (each with a field
descriptor and an entry box/pulldown/radio button etc.

The debate raging here whether or not to go with a single column
format that could get lengthy or a multi column format that saves page
length, but crunches the fields and limits flexibility (field
character length.

I'll be honest, my stance is to stick with the single column format
because all the evidence I've seen is that it is easier to work with,
train, and adapt for future fields and changes.

I am, however, open for debate.

Thoughts? Thanks in advance!

.christopher daly
NYC