STEP 5: LOTUS FORMS IS THE FORMS PROGRAM CURRENTLY IN USE BY THE ARMY AND AIR FORCE
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(The CHESS website has scheduled outages: Saturdays between 0200-0500 EST and the 2nd & 4th Tuesday of the month between 0700-1200 EST)
If you are having problems accessing the Lotus Forms software download link outside of the hours listed above, or are wondering why there is NO alternate Army download location, please read below.
NOTE: If you currently have Pure Edge viewer and ApproveIt installed, I recommend you go into Control Panel and uninstall them before proceeding, then restart your computer. It will drastically speed up the install process below. The Lotus Forms program has the ability to uninstall Pure Edge automatically, but in my experience with others, it can take several hours.
Installation Steps: Download / Save this page as single / printable PDF
1. Download Lotus Forms 4.0 from CHESS: https://chess.army.mil/cms/a/lotusforms4
2. Click the link titled: Download Software Login with your CAC. You might have to click the link above again at this point. 3. Click the link titled: Download Lotus Forms 4 You may be prompted at the bottom of your screen asking if you want to run or save Viewer-EN-4-0-0-477.exe, select either one. 4. Once it is downloaded, double click the file titled: Viewer-EN-4-0-0-477.exe NOTE: My personal recommendation is for you to verify the software installed by going to Control Panel: Uninstall a program (Windows 7 / 8 / Vista), Programs and Features (Vista), or Add/Remove Programs (XP) look for:: IBM Forms Viewer 4.0.0. Lotus Forms 3.5.1 download location: https://www.us.army.mil/suite/doc/36567223
Video Installation Instructions (new version coming soon) PROCEED TO STEP 6 - INSTALL APPROVE IT
LOTUS FORMS INSTALLATION PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS
The ideas on this website are from my personal experience. I have been told by Army Publishing Directorate (APD) to send all users to their help desk so they become aware of the problems with this program. 703-692-1306 / DSN: 312-222-1306 , Webform, or usarmy.pentagon.hqda-apd.mbx.fcmp@mail.mil
If you are having problems accessing the CHESS website, contact the CHESS help desk at: peoeis.pdchess.helpdesk@us.army.mil or 888-232-4405 / 703-806-1019 / DSN: 312-656-1019 (Monday - Friday 0800-1700 Eastern).
To download DA forms, go to the Army Publishing Directorate website http://www.apd.army.mil/ , click on the Forms (tab), DA Forms button. Find the form you want (in the range of form numbers). Right click the XFDL link to the right of the form you want, Select Save Target As. Save it to your computer and you will have the form for later. You can also click the link, it will open up your Lotus Forms or Pure Edge software automatically (only if using Internet Explorer 6, 7, or 8). All other browsers will have to use the Right click, Save As option to save your form.
Digitally signing a form is simple when following these instructions PDF Instructions Video Instructions With your form open and your CAC inserted in the card reader Single click the button with the slanted pen with "Click to Approve" typed after it (see image)
Read the Electronic Signature Notice, then OK Click the word Sign (not OK) Select your name (the one without the word email in it), then OK You should see your name, once you do, click the word Sign It will prompt you to type in your PIN, then select OK Once you see Signature is valid, select OK You have now signed your form
If the word Sign is GRAY, please look here for some known cures
Are you curious how to change the check marks to X's on forms?
Open Lotus Forms, click the Preferences button (blue and red O + on it) Select Advanced Settings Select the box next to: Use "X" Style Check Boxes
If you are interested in knowing how to digitally sign an Excel or Word 2003 or 2007 file, this is how to do it
This is the email I received from APD on 25 August 2010 when I asked for permission to have an alternate download location for people when the CHESS website is down.
"In regards to your email, As I am sure you are well aware APD is the Enterprise provider of Lotus Forms Viewer and Silanis ApproveIt software. There are only two channels that are authorized to be the authoritative distributor of the fore mentioned software, 1. AGM (Army Gold Master) for GFE (Government Funded Equipment) installation / use and 2. CHESS (Computer Hardware, Enterprise Software Solutions) for PFE (Personal Funded Equipment) installation / use. APD does not authorize any other body (i.e. AKO files) to distribute its Enterprise Software. Your request to have this software hosted in your files has been dually noted. At this time your request to host / provide the Lotus Forms Viewer and Silanis ApproveIt software is Denied. You will be advised if APD's stance on this request changes in the future."
For issues obtaining the software from the CHESS website, utilize the Official Army channels listed below.
The ideas on this website are from my personal experience. I have been told by Army Publishing Directorate (APD) to send users to their help desk so they become aware of the problems with this program. 703-692-1306 / DSN: 312-222-1306 , Webform, or usarmy.pentagon.hqda-apd.mbx.fcmp@mail.mil If you are having problems accessing the CHESS website, contact the CHESS help desk at: peoeis.pdchess.helpdesk@us.army.mil or 888-232-4405 / 703-806-1019 / DSN: 312-656-1019 (Monday - Friday 0800-1700 Eastern).
1. Download Lotus Forms 3.5.1.123 from CHESS:
https://chess.army.mil/Static/SW_Lotus (You must be able to login
with your CAC to download the program)
5. Once you've reinstalled 3.5.1.123, then
install 4.0.0.477
Air Force users, download your version of Lotus forms: http://www.e-publishing.af.mil/viewerdownload.asp Download "http://www.e-publishing.af.mil/shared/media/epubs/resource/LFViewer_40_Win32_EN.exe" under Software link
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Last Update or Review: Friday, 17 May 2013 20:13 hrs
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