Govstack Forms includes a variety of different types of questions that you can add when you create a form, which allows you to create a customizable form for any need.
Types of Questions
Review the different question types available and learn how to add each type of question:
Panel Questions
Panels create a space on your form where several questions can be grouped together. This question group then allows the respondent to select how many times they need to fill out the data. Panels might be useful for expense or mileage reports, paying multiple parking tickets, registering for a number of classes or events, and more.
Select “Panel” from the “Question Type” dropdown menu when adding a question to your form. Complete all of the necessary fields.
Some things specific to panel questions include:
Add and Delete Button Text
Use the “Add Button Text” field to customize the label for the button that will add an additional data set to the form. Similarly, use the “Delete Button Text” field to customize the label for the button that will remove a data set from the form.
Maximum and Minimum Value
The “Maximum Value” and “Minimum Value” fields allows you to set the maximum and minimum number of data sets that a respondent can add to the form.
Add questions to the panel
After you've created a panel, you'll need to add questions to the panel. Follow the same process as when you add a question to a form.
Presentation
Presentations are blocks of text or other content that don't contain a question. They can include links, lists, images, videos and tables if required. This feature is often used for disclaimers, privacy statements, instructions or introductions.
Select “Presentation” from the “Question Type” dropdown menu when adding a question to your form. Complete all of the necessary fields, including the “Presentation Text” field, which will be the text that is displayed on the form.
Date Field
Add a date field question if you want respondents to provide a specific date in their responses. Select “Date Field” from the “Question Type” dropdown menu when adding a question to your form. Complete all of the necessary fields in order to add this question to your form.
Time Field
Add a time field question if you want respondents to enter a specific time in a response. Select “Time Field” from the “Question Type” dropdown menu when adding a question to your form. Complete all of the necessary fields in order to add this question to your form.
Text Area
A text area allows respondents to enter a large block of text. The Text Area question option is often used for comment or suggestion boxes. Select “Text Area” from the “Question Type” dropdown menu when adding a question to your form. Complete all of the necessary fields in order to add this question to your form.
Text Field
A text field displays a single line where respondents can enter an answer. Select “Text Field” from the “Question Type” dropdown menu when adding a question to your form. Complete all of the necessary fields in order to add this question to your form.
The text field is one of the most common types of questions in online forms. It is used for a large variety of purposes, including names, addresses, currency values, email addresses, etc.
Checkbox List
A checkbox list displays a list of checkboxes where respondents can choose as many options as needed. Select “Checkbox List” from the “Question Type” dropdown menu when adding a question to your form. Complete all of the necessary fields in order to add this question to your form. Once you've added a checkbox list question to your form, you'll need to edit the question and provide the different checkbox options.
Dropdown List
A dropdown list displays a list of options that allow the respondent to make a single selection. Select the “Dropdown List” from the “Question Type” dropdown menu when adding a question to your form. Complete all of the necessary fields in order to add this question. Once you've added a dropdown list question, you'll need to edit the question and provide the different options.
Radio Button List
A radio button list displays a list of options that allow the respondent to make a single selection. Select the “Radio Button List” from the “Question Type” dropdown menu when adding a question to your form. Complete all of the necessary fields in order to add this question. Once you've added a radio button list question, you'll need to edit the question and prove the different options. Radio button lists are often used for yes/no or true/false questions.
File Upload
The file upload field allows a respondent to submit files along with the form submission. Select “File Upload” from the “Question Type” dropdown menu when adding a question to your form. Complete all of the necessary fields in order to add this question. This question type is often used to submit resumes, cover letters, etc. The only way to view the uploaded files is to look at the individual form response reports or include the attachment in an email option.
Calculation Field
The calculation field allows you to enter a mathematical formula, usually with data drawn from the answers to other questions. It then provides the value of the calculation to the respondent. Select “Calculation Field” from the “Question Type” dropdown menu when adding a question to your form. Complete all of the necessary fields in order to add this question. Calculation fields are often used to create cost totals for ecommerce transactions, such as multiplying the price of an item by the number of units.
reCAPTCHA
The reCAPTCHA question displays a checkbox that users must check in order to submit the form. This is a security feature provided by Google that ensures that anyone checking this checkbox is not an automated software bot trying to harm your website or alter the results of the form. Select “reCAPTCHA” from the “Question Type” dropdown menu when adding a question to your form.
Space
The space option can add whitespace to a form. Select “Space” from the “Question Type” dropdown menu when adding a question to your form. Complete all of the necessary fields in order to add this question. The space option can be used to create a gap between different rows or questions on your form.
Signature
The signature option creates an area in your form where respondents can sign the form using either their mouse or another input device. Select “Signature” from the “Question Type” dropdown menu when adding a question to your form. Complete all of the necessary fields in order to add this question.
Signatures provided in this way are recorded as images that you can view by looking at the individual responses. Please seek professional legal advice to determine if this type of electronic signature is permissible in your jurisdiction.
Please note that the signature question type is not accessible to screen readers. Do not make signature questions required and always provide alternative methods of name or identity verification, such as a text field or acknowledgement check box.
Additional question settings
When you add a new question to a form in Govstack Forms, there are a variety of required and optional fields that you can complete. Review some of the most common question settings.
Only Show
Using the “Only Show” option, you can indicate if the question will appear in online forms, printed forms, or both online and in print. In order to generate a printable PDF, you need to select either printed forms or both from the list of options.
Require an answer
Select the “Will your question require an answer” checkbox if this question is mandatory. Respondents won't be able to proceed to the next page in the form until they've completed this question. If you select this option, you'll need to enter a message into the “No Answer Error Message field.” This message will only appear if a respondent fails to complete a required question.
Read only questions
Select the “Will your question be read only?” checkbox if respondents won't be able to edit or modify the answer field. Read only questions are usually used to return answers derived from other questions without allowing the respondent to directly edit them.
Questions that require validation
Validation requires that a respondent enter a specific type of information. Entering the incorrect information will generate an error message and prevent advancement of the form.
From the “Validation Rule” dropdown menu, select the type of response you are validating for the following options provided:
- Custom
- Currency
- Number (no decimal)
- Number (2 decimal spaces)
- Phone Number (999) 999 9999
- Phone Number 999 999 9999
- Phone Number 999-999-9999
- Phone Number 1-800-999-9999
- Postal Code
- Postal Code/Zip Code
- Website
- Zip Code
Hide a question
Select the “Will your question be hidden?” checkbox if you don't want a question to appear to respondents. Hidden questions are most often used when an answer is derived from other answers but doesn't need to be shown to the public.
Help icons
Select the “Will your question require a help icon?” checkbox if you'd like a small question mark icon to appear next to a question. When a respondent clicks on the icon, a message will display that helps them answer the question. If you select this option, you'll need write a message in the “Help Icon Message” field.