Admins and Designers can use text fields in the Basic Form Builder to capture accurate data, provide clear guidance, and improve workflow efficiency.

Table of Contents

Short Text

Long Text

Configure Short Text or Long Text fields

Static Text

Text fields

In the Basic Form Builder, text fields include Short Text and Long Text for user-entered information and Static Text for text that appears on the form or PDF but cannot be edited on your device.

Short Text

A Short Text field captures brief text or nominal numbers, such as names, codes, or phone numbers.

Add a Short Text field

To add a new Short Text field in the Basic Form Builder:

1. Create a new form using your preferred Basic Form Builder option.

   

2. Select a Short Text field by choosing one of the following options:
   • If a field already exists on the PDF: Select an existing field in the workspace. On the right side of the workspace in the Field panel, expand the Type dropdown menu and select Short Text.
   • If adding a new field: On the left of the workspace, in the Add panel, drag a Short Text field onto your PDF.
3. In the upper-right corner of the Builder, click Save, then Test the field, and click Publish and Assign to users.

Long Text

A Long Text field captures longer written responses, such as comments or descriptions.

Add a Long Text field

To add a new Long Text field in the Basic Form Builder:

1. Create a new form using your preferred Basic Form Builder option.

   

2. Select a Long Text field by choosing one of the following options:
   • If a field already exists on the PDF: Select an existing field in the workspace. On the right side of the workspace in the Field panel, expand the Type dropdown menu and select Long Text.
   • If adding a new field: On the left of the workspace, in the Add panel, drag a Long Text field onto your PDF.
3. In the upper-right corner of the Builder, click Save, then Test the field, and click Publish and Assign to users.

Configure Short Text or Long Text fields

Short Text and Long Text field settings control how values are prefilled, formatted, required, and displayed in your form. These settings can be found in the Field panel.

Text Field settings

Default

A value that automatically appears when a user starts a new submission.

Format

Controls how data in the Short Text field is displayed and structured. Format options include:

• None: No special formatting and users can enter any characters.
• Email: Treats the value as an email address and helps ensure only an email format is entered.
• Number: For nominal numbers, including those starting with zero or needing symbols (e.g. ZIP codes, phone numbers).

System Default

Fills a Short Text field with account or user-specific information pulled from GoCanvas. Account or user-specific information includes:

• Username
• Company Name
• First Name
• Last Name
• Full Name

Required

Sets a Short Text or Long Text field as mandatory. Users must enter a value before moving to the next screen or submitting the form.

Read Only

Displays a Short Text or Long Text field value on the form but does not allow users to change it.

Static Text

The Static Text field displays read-only instructions or notes, guiding users without requiring input.

Add a Static Text field

To add a new Static Text field in the Basic Form Builder:

1. Create a new form using your preferred Basic Form Builder option.

   

2. Select a Static Text field by choosing one of the following options:
   • If a field already exists on the PDF: Select an existing field on your PDF. On the right side of the workspace in the Field panel, expand the Type dropdown menu and select Static Text.
   • If adding a new field: On the left of the workspace, in the Add panel, drag a Long Text field onto your PDF.
3. In the upper-right corner of the Builder, click Save, then Test the field, and click Publish and Assign to users.

Configure a Static Text field

To configure a Static Text field in the Basic Form Builder:

1. Select an existing Static Text field in the workspace.
2. On the right side of the workspace in the Field panel, click inside the textbox labelled Static Text and highlight the existing text.
3. Type your message or instructions in the textbox.
4. Click outside the textbox to save changes.
5. In the upper-right corner of the Builder, click Save, then Test the field, and click Publish and Assign to users.