Optimizing HTML Forms for the Smallest File Size

“I just added this [HTML4Compatible=false] to the request body, and the form I tested went from 535 KB down to 376 KB. This is going to make a huge difference, and all it took was one line of code.” - quote from a Quik! customer’s lead engineer

Overview

When working with the Quik! API, minimizing the size of HTML files can significantly impact both performance and user experience. Smaller HTML files load faster, consume less bandwidth, and are ideal for environments with limited network capabilities. For many organizations, especially those handling large numbers of financial forms or integrating form workflows into existing applications, optimizing the size of the output HTML can be crucial.

This guide provides you with strategies to achieve the smallest possible HTML output using features available in the Quik! API. These optimizations include setting HTML4Compatible = false and other specific approaches that can help you streamline your forms.

Why Minimizing File Size Is Important

Reducing the HTML file size is important for:

1. Performance Improvement: Smaller files load faster, providing a more responsive user experience.

2. Better Compatibility: Lightweight files are easier to handle across different devices, including older systems or mobile devices with lower processing capabilities.

3. Use Cases: For financial services firms, government organizations, or healthcare providers, generating forms efficiently is critical. Users in these sectors often have bandwidth limitations, especially in rural or lower-speed network areas.

Key Features for Optimizing HTML Output

1. Set HTML4Compatible = false

The HTML4Compatible property can significantly affect the resulting HTML file size. Setting HTML4Compatible = false ensures that your forms are optimized using HTML5 elements rather than legacy HTML4 elements, which are typically more verbose and result in larger file sizes. HTML5's cleaner and more semantic tags help produce a leaner document, which reduces load times and improves performance.

To implement this:

• Set HTML4Compatible = false in your Quik! Forms Engine configuration.

This switch reduces unnecessary tags and attributes that come with HTML4 compatibility, leading to a lighter document that is easier to render by modern browsers.

2. Minimize Form Features

• Remove Unnecessary Fields: If there are fields that are not required by your workflow, consider removing them from the form generation request. This directly reduces the number of HTML elements in the resulting output.

• Disable Extra Buttons: Set properties like HTMLButtonClearName, HTMLButtonResetName, or HTMLButtonSaveName to remove unnecessary buttons. Only include buttons that are critical for the user workflow, as each button adds additional code to the HTML.

3. Optimize Field Attributes

• Use the Field Properties feature to optimize the attributes of your form fields:

  • Field Background Color: Avoid adding colors unless absolutely necessary. Removing custom styles helps reduce the inline CSS present in the HTML.

  • Min/Max Values and Validation: Use minimal field validation attributes to keep the HTML concise.

• Progressive Prefill Feature: Use the progressive prefill feature to minimize redundant input elements by auto-populating fields with already-entered data.

4. Minimize Embedded JavaScript

Custom JavaScript can add significant size to your HTML forms. To minimize file size:

• Disable Unnecessary JavaScript Features: Remove any custom scripts that are not essential to your form's core functionality. For example, if you don't require advanced validation or custom field behavior, ensure these JavaScript features are turned off.

5. Limit the Use of Custom Styling and Branding

While the Quik! API allows for significant customization in terms of branding (logos, colors, custom headers, etc.), minimizing these custom styles can help reduce file size. When possible, rely on minimal styling or server-side rendering to apply styles rather than embedding them directly within the HTML.

• Replace Existing CSS with Custom Styles: The existing CSS can be replaced by providing a custom URL in the Quik! Forms Engine. You can modify the styles by adding your custom styles to the HTMLStyles property. This property will use your CSS instead of the default. Here is an example of how you can do this:

  <style type="text/css" media="all"> @import url('https://your-custom-css-url.com/styles.css'); </style>

  By including the @import rule within the HTMLStyles property, you can link to an external CSS file hosted at a custom URL. This will override the default styles provided by the Quik! Forms Engine.

  By replacing the inline CSS with a URL pointing to an external CSS, the HTML file size will be much smaller. Additionally, the CSS URL must be on the same domain (including https) as the HTML form viewer is displayed on, or a CORS violation may occur.

Conclusion

By applying these strategies, you can generate smaller, more efficient HTML files using the Quik! API. This can make a substantial difference in performance, particularly for users who need a seamless experience even in low-bandwidth environments.

The use of HTML4Compatible = false, removing unnecessary elements, and simplifying field attributes are all effective methods for reducing the weight of your HTML forms.

If you need further assistance or want more ideas on optimizing your Quik! API usage, feel welcome to reach out.