Microsoft SQL Server 2005 introduced a new data type, the XML data type. Now you can associate an XML schema with XML table columns to force them to adhere to constraints defined within the specified schema. Such XML table columns are ideal to save InfoPath forms in, since InfoPath forms are based on XML schemas and have XML data as output.

In this article we will set up a database table that has an XML column associated with the XML schema of an InfoPath form. We will then use an ASP.NET page to submit and save InfoPath forms to the database table. We will also discuss common challenges you may encounter when trying to set up such a solution.

This article assumes that you have experience developing InfoPath forms, working with SQL Server and Internet Information Server, and that you are familiar with C# and ASP.NET.