Field types in IndyForms are the various inputs and design elements you can use to create your forms. Most field types determine how you collect data from respondents, while others help with form design.
For example, you can use the Text field type to collect names and the Date field type for setting dates. These field types ensure your forms collect the information you need in the correct format.
Then, you can use Design fields to add elements like images or logos to your form design; these are fixed field types and not editable by respondents when used in forms.
Below, each field type in IndyForms is explained in detail.
For information on accessing field types to build new or edit existing forms in IndyForms, please see this Help Article.
Field Type Categories:
Field types in the IndyForms form builder are broken up into distinct categories, which we will go through in more detail in the tables below.
These are:
Design Elements
Basic Input Fields
Contact Information
Media and File Inputs
Selection Inputs
Calculation Fields
Advanced Data Fields
Payment Fields
*Note that field types, excluding Design Elements field types, have additional configurable options, found on the Options tab. These are important when desiging your form (they allow you to create titles/descriptions for your field types) and dictate how respondents can interact with and complete the form.
Access the Options tab for a field by selecting the field on your form. See below for more information on default options available for all field types.
Field Types
1. Design Elements
Field Type | Explanation | Example Uses |
Rich Text | Not a response field; uneditable on shared forms.
Add rich text to your forms, including links, tables, bulleted lists, files, images and videos. | Add branding and logos to form headers, add further information to your forms through text, links, images and videos. |
Library Document | Not a response field; uneditable on shared forms.
Link to documents stored in your Document Library.
Automatic syncing ensures that documents linked in forms reflect the latest version saved in the Document Library whenever updates are made. | Link to policies in organisation review forms.
Link to business terms and conditions in contract forms.
|
2. Basic Input Fields
Field Type | Explanation | Options tab |
Text | Allows respondents to provide text-based responses, including both short and long answers.
| All default options; see below.
Additional options:
Multiline: By default, the text field is set to capture single-line responses, E.g., “Name”. Select the Multiline option for longer responses. E.g.,“List work experience”.
Placeholder text: Display text within the field while it is blank to guide respondents. E.g., a placeholder text for a name Text field could be "Enter full name.”
Max characters: Set a maximum character limit for the text field to limit the response. |
Numeric Value
| Allows respondents to input numerical values only.
Use the Number field to collect numerical responses, such as age, weight, or quantity. | All default options; see below.
Additional options:
Allow Decimal Precision: Select this option to allow respondents to input numerical values with decimal points, rather than default whole numbers only.
Minimum/Maximum: Set character limits to control responses. |
Date | Allows respondents to input a specific date or select "Today" to input today's date instantly.
Use in event registration forms, appointment booking forms, meeting minutes, reservation forms, and more. | All default options; see below. |
Time | Allows respondents to input a specific time in hours and minutes format, including the option to select "Now" to input the current time instantly.
Use to gather time-related information such as start time or time of incident. | All default options; see below. |
3. Contact Information
Field Type | Explanation | Options tab |
Collects valid email addresses from respondents.
This field type will not accept invaild email addresses and will prompt the respondent to enter a valid email address when an invalid address is detected. | All default options; see below.
Additional option:
Placeholder text: Display text within the field while it is blank to guide respondents. | |
Address | Allows respondents to input an address. This is a fixed multi-field field type that includes inputs for street, suburb/city, state/province, postal code, and country. | All default options; see below. |
Phone | Collects valid phone numbers from respondents, including country calling code to display the country of origin. | All default options; see below. |
Geo Tag | Captures location data in latitude and longitude coordinates.
Use to collect current location information from respondents at the time of entering a response. | All default options; see below. |
4. Media and File Inputs
Field Type | Explanation | Options tab |
Multimedia Upload
| Allows respondents to upload multimedia content, such as images, videos, and audio files.
Use in forms where respondents need to submit media files. | All default options; see below.
Additional options:
Minimum/Maximum Uploads: Set a minimum and maximum number of files that a respondent can upload in a single form submission. |
File Upload | Allows respondents to upload files such as documents.
| All default options; see below.
Additional options:
Minimum/Maximum Uploads: Set a minimum and maximum number of files that a respondent can upload in a single form submission. |
Signature | Allows respondents to provide their signature, indicating their agreement or authorisation.
Use in contracts, legal agreements, consent forms, and more. | All default options; see below. |
Annotated Image | *Requires image upload during form design.
Allows respondents to annotate or mark up an image (previously uploaded during form design).
E.g., Respondents filling out injury reports can circle the area of injury on images of a body. | All default options; see below.
Additional options:
Background image: Upload an image for respondents to annotate. |
5. Selection Inputs
Field Type | Explanation | Options tab |
Checkbox | Allows respondents to select a single checkbox.
Unlike other field types that allow multiple selections, the Checkbox field type only provides a single checkbox to be selected. E.g., asking respondents to agree to terms and conditions. | All default options; see below.
Additional options:
Default checked: Render the checkbox as pre-selected for respondens, with the option to deselect. This can be useful in cases where the option is mandatory or commonly selected by most users. |
Select | Allows respondents to select from a list of options. (Form designers must provide select options in the Options tab.)
Use in surveys, questionnaires, and assessments.
| All default options; see below.
Additional options:
Options: Provide select options for respondents.
Render as Dropdown: Display the choices in a dropdown list format rather that the default select options with checkboxes.
Multiselect: Give respondents the ability to select more than the default one option.
Minimum/Maximum Choices: Define the number of choices that a respondent can select. This feature can help ensure that respondents do not make too few or too many choices, which can affect the accuracy of the data collected. |
User Select | Allows respondents to select from a list of validated users and even share the form response with these users for their contribution.
Use to create form responses based on verified users; e.g., employee forms, or to collaborate with multiple respondents on one form response. | All default options; see below.
Plus, additional options:
Filter roles: Select which User Groups provide select options for respondents.
Share record with selected user(s) / Show dialog to share record with user(s) on selection: Share the form response with the selected user, allowing them to contribute to the response.
Multiselect: Give respondents the ability to select more than the default one option. |
6. Calculation Fields
Field Type | Explanation | Options tab |
Duration | Allows respondents to capture the start and finish times of an event and automatically calculate the duration between them.
Respondents can use the "Now" options on this field to instantly enter the current time as well as manually input times.
Use in meeting forms, timesheets, etc. | All default options; see below. |
Age Calculator | Allows respondents to calculate their age automatically based on their date of birth.
Use in forms where age verification or age eligibility is required, such as in online registration forms for events, contests, or services.
| All default options; see below.
Additional options:
Anchor Date: Select to display age at time of entry date, not current date, when viewing responses. E.g., this could be used in incident reports to track age at time of incident. |
7. Advanced Data Fields
Field Type | Explanation | Options tab |
Dataset Select | Only available with Datasets.
Allows respondents to select from a list of options; these options have been pre-configured with Datasets, saving time on form creation.
Use in forms that require updated information such as class lists for roll calls, project lists for SWMS, and more.
| All default options; see below.
Additional options:
Dataset: Choose from which Dataset your options will present.
Multiselect: Give respondents the ability to select more than one option.
Minimum/Maximum Choices: Use to limit required selections. |
Table | Use Tables for comprehensive forms; each column can exist as a separate (response) field type.
For example, tables can be used for signoffs where multiple staff have to enter their Name (text field), Date (date field), and Signature (signature field).
| Only the following options:
Input expandable (selected by default): Allow respondents to add as many rows as required.
Display in Summary: Display the table in 'All records' view for the form. Select settings in each column to enable this function.
Pin First Column: Ensure the first column is always visible when scrolling. |
8. Payment Fields
Field Type | Explanation | Options tab |
Payment | Merchant centre set-up is required to use Payments Fields.
Allows respondents to make payment through forms. | All default options; see below.
Additional options:
Amount: Specify the payment amount required.
Accept any amount: Select to accept any value through payment field.
Currency: Use to select currency of the payment.
Payment required: Select to require successful payment before the form can be submitted. |
Field Type - Default options
Each field type (excluding Design Elements field types) has the following default configurable options, found on the Options tab.
These are important when desiging your form and dictate how respondents can interact with and complete the form.
Access the Options tab for a field by selecting the field on your form.
Field Type Options - Default | Explanation | Example Use |
Label | A field's title that respondents see when completing the form.
| A label for a text field collection names could be: "Name", or the label for a Date field might be: "Date of Birth". |
Description
| Text that appears beneath a field's Label to to add further information about the field type and response reqiured.
| Providing further instruction to a Text field: "Please provide as much detail as possible." |
Input Required*
| When selected, this option requires a response for the form to submit successfully. An error message will show upon submission when the field isn't completed properly.
*Displays as 'Choice required' / 'Required' in Selection inputs. | Making signature fields required prior to submission. |
Show Time Entered | When selected, this option automatically records the timestamp when a response field is completed. | Authenticating date entries. |
Show User Last Edited
| When selected, this option automatically captures and displays the user details (avatar and name) of the person who last completed the field. | Authenticating user responses; e.g., authenticating signature fields. |
Summary Page Settings* | Explanation | Example Uses |
Filterable
| When selected, this option enables advanced filtering for responses to this field type in the form's 'Records' page. | Enabling Date fields as 'Filterable', so you can filter responses by dates. |
Display in List | When selected, this option will display responses for this field type on the form's 'Records' page. | Enabling a registration form's Payment field to Display in List, so you can see on the form's 'Records' page who has yet to pay. |
Edit in List
| When selected, IndyForms users with adequate permissions can modify responses directly from the form's 'Records' page where they are displayed. | Enabling administrators to edit responses without opening the form. |
*Summary Page Settings
The options listed within these settings affect how response data is presented and filtered on each form's 'Records' page, where every response started, saved or submitted for that form (named a 'Record' in Indyforms), is listed.
For more information, see:
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