Using free text fields

Free text fields allow your customers to enter text, numbers and special characters in any format they wish to. 

When you should use free text fields

• When you need detailed information that is difficult to capture with predefined options
• When you don't need the information in a specific format.

When you should avoid using free text fields

• When you need the information in a consistent or specific format
• When the information can be captured faster or more easily using predefined options like radio buttons, dropdowns or checkboxes.

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Guidelines

Do:

• Provide clear instructions on what kind of responses you're expecting, including any prompts or examples 
• Make the field optional unless it is necessary for your form
• Choose the right type of text field so customers have enough room to provide their response. A text field should be used for short responses, and a text area for longer responses. 

Don't:

• Overuse this field type in the form as it takes more effort for the customer to provide information in this format
• Use this field type when it can be answered more easily and accurately using predefined options like radio buttons, dropdowns or checkboxes.

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Adding a text field

A text field is a single-line input field to capture short text responses. It is used to capture small and specific pieces of information such as name or email addresses. It has a limit of 128 characters. 

1. Navigate to Structure > Webforms > Forms and locate your webform by typing its name into the search.
2. Open your webform and navigate to Build > + Add element.
3. In the Select an element popup, select the Text field element.
4. Complete the form:
   • Element settings:
     • Title: The field label to collect the text
   • Element description/help/more:
     • Description: The helper text that is shown underneath the title
   • Form validation:
     • Required: Whether or not the field is mandatory for the customer to complete 
     • Required message: The alert that is shown when a customer tries to complete the form without providing a response

Adding a text area

A text area is a multi-line input field to capture long and detailed responses. It is used to capture open-ended responses such as feedback and descriptions. It has no character limit. 

1. Navigate to Structure > Webforms > Forms and locate your webform by typing its name into the search.
2. Open your webform and navigate to Build > + Add element.
3. In the Select an element popup, select the Textarea element.
4. Complete the form:
   • Element settings:
     • Title: The field label to collect the text
   • Element description/help/more:
     • Description: The helper text that is shown underneath the title
   • Form validation:
     • Required: Whether or not the field is mandatory for the customer to complete 
     • Required message: The alert that is shown when a customer tries to complete the form without providing a response

Need any more help?

If you have any questions, or require assistance with anything mentioned in this article, submit a request via the webform.