Adding Fields

What's the point of a form?  To collect data.  How do you collect data?  Through fields.  So let's add some fields!

There are two ways to add fields to a Doc: Auto-detect and the Fields Toolbar.  Auto-detect is a good place to start.

In this module you will learn:

1. How to Auto-detect Fields

2. How to Add a Field from the Field Toolbar

5. General Elements of the Field Toolbar

How to Auto-detect Fields

Whether you're using a fillable PDF or just a static PDF, the Auto-detect feature will automatically find, add, and name fields on your Doc.

The platform uses a patent-pending algorithm to detect where fields should go on a form. This can be a huge time saver and is quite convenient when you're converting forms!

Auto-detecting fields is easy: simply click the Auto-Detect Fields button on the bar that appears after you have uploaded a PDF.

Note: When you upload a fillable PDF, you don't have to use Auto-detect button as they will automatically be found and converted.

How to Add a Field from the Field Toolbar

The second way to add fields is to manually drag and drop elements from the toolbar on the left. How to Add a Field from the Field Toolbar

1. Drag and drop the field from the Toolbar.

2. If it is a field, enter in the name at the top.

3. Press enter or click the green check box to Save.

General Elements

Let's start with the general elements.  There are different uses for the general elements so we'll go through a brief explanation of each one.

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How to Set up Groups for Radio Buttons or Checkboxes

Before setting a Radio Button or a Checkbox, you have to decide what type of field you will need. There is a difference between a Checkbox and Radio Button:

Checkbox: Allows your end users to select one or multiple options. For example, a "Choose all that apply" field.

Radio Buttons: End users will only be able to choose one option in a group rather than checking multiple options. For example, "Please select one" or yes/no questions.

Once you have decided what type of field you will be using, you should follow the next steps:  

1. Drag and drop the radio button or checkbox onto the form and place them next to the answer you'd like your end user to select.

2. From the toolbar that appears on the top of your form, set up the radio button or checkbox. You'll first want to assign a Group Label for the radio button or checkbox by selecting the 2nd drop down menu in the toolbar. You'll want the Group Label to be the question that is being asked.

3. After you've added your Group Label, you'll then want to add the radio button/checkbox Option. This is one of the options that are available as an answer to the question being asked.

4. Once you’re ready to set up the next radio button or checkbox, select the field to make the field toolbar appear at the top of the form. Next choose the recently created group label from the second drop down menu. This allows you to group the radio button or checkbox with the others.

5. Repeat step 3 to properly label the radio button/checkbox option.

Please note, that in order for your radio buttons to work properly you must have at least two of them on your form. If you need to have one radio button, then you'll want to change it to a checkbox.

The Field Option Toolbar

Each time you select a field, the Option Menu Toolbar will appear at the top.  Embrace this toolbar, as it is very important.

To access the Field Option Toolbar, simply click on any field.  This toolbar enables you to edit the specific details of an element.  

This is how it will look when you select a text field element.  

The toolbar is divided into five sections:‍

Field Type allows you to switch between similar types of fields (e.g., from a single-line text field to multi-line, or from checkbox to radio button).
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Field Label is the name you give an individual element. It will make it easier for you to identify the field when viewing the submission data in the Submissions Manager or when you export the submission data.

‍Element Actions allows you to perform common actions on the field element. The five icons  represent the following actions: fill in, make required, resize, duplicate, and perform calculations.  You'll learn more on these later.

‍Assign Element can be assigned to a specific signer from the toolbar as well. Just click the "Assign to" drop-down menu and a list of signers will appear. An assigned field will only be available to fill in for the specified signer.

‍Advanced Field Settings Here you'll be able to set up placeholder text, validations, special formatting, and encryption. We'll talk more about this in a later module.

Now that you've chosen your first form to bring online, let's put it to work.