i need to be able to view submitted forms by a certain variable instead of an instance id number.
If you're on Forms 9.1, yes. When you're configuring a process model, you can open the Process Settings dialog box and specify a special name for process instances. This name can include field or process variables, so it's a great way to present useful information instead of just an instance ID.
This instance name will appear on the My Tasks, My Instances, and Results pages. On the Results page, you can customize the columns that appear to hide the instance ID if you feel it isn't relevant. Take a look at the Process Settings section of this page in the help.
This is the answer I'm looking for, but I'm working in Forms 10.1 and do not see where to get to the Process Settings. The answers all seem to indicate that there is a "More" option on the menu, but I don't see this anywhere on the Process Modeler. How do I get to the Process Settings?