Tap Forms Organizer 5
A full-featured, easy-to-use database app
$16.99 Developer Tap Zapp Software, tapforms.com
Platform Universal Requirements iOS 9.3 or later
As much as we like to think there’s an app for everything, the hype doesn’t always live up to the reality. Rather than search endlessly for multiple apps capable of tackling a diverse range of needs, sometimes what you really need is one app to rule them all.
Tap Forms Organizer 5 is billed as a “digital filing cabinet for life’s scattered details,” but it’s much more than that. Also available for Mac, the database app offers an intuitive interface to help organize a wide range of information, but is easier to use than expensive solutions such as FileMaker. For example, rather than downloading dedicated apps for tracking DVD, book, and wine collections, use Tap Forms to manage all three. Sample forms are included for more than 30 different types of personal or business needs, which can be used as-is, or as the foundation for your own database.
If you already have info stored in other software, it’s easy to import existing records into Tap Forms using the web server feature. Turn it on, browse to the unique URL on your computer, and upload the file – we imported text and CSV, but the app also recognizes template data from the late, great Bento.
New in Tap Forms 5 is the ability to store individual databases as a self-contained document. This comes in handy when sharing with others, but also makes each one feel more like a standalone app, complete with file attachments, photos, and database records.
Whether you want to sync with the Mac or between iOS devices, version 5 offers the option of cloud-based or cloud-free sync. Unfortunately, the former no longer works with iCloud or the usual suspects such as Dropbox, but rather IBM Cloudant. There’s a bit of initial setup involved – we recommend watching the how-to video on the developer’s website that walks through the process – but after that it’s fairly hassle-free.
For many users, the cloud-free Nearby Sync option will be more appealing anyway. Simply open a database, tap the Send icon, and choose a nearby device on the same wireless network to sync files to another device or computer. It’s as easy to use as AirDrop, but faster than waiting for cloud sync to catch up.
the bottom line. Tap Forms Organizer 5 takes a step back with cloud sync, but everything else is just about perfect.