Building Forms
Question types
Pick the right question for each field. Type / on the canvas to open the block menu and browse every type. Each type brings its own validation, layout, and summary chart.
The block menu groups blocks into four categories: Basic Blocks, Form Fields, Layout, and Media. Every question lives under Form Fields. The names below are the exact menu labels — type a few letters to filter.
Text and input
These fields collect typed answers. Email, Website URL, and Phone Number also check the format as the respondent types.
| Type | What it does | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Text Input | Single-line text field. Optional min/max length and a regex pattern. | Names, job titles, short answers |
| Text Area | Multi-line text field that grows as the respondent types. Same rules as Text Input. | Messages, feedback, cover letters |
| Checks the address format. Can receive the confirmation email. | Contact forms, registrations | |
| Website URL | Carries an https:// prefix and stores the answer with it. Accepts http and https only. | Portfolios, social profiles |
| Phone Number | Country picker with flags; validates the number per country. | Support requests, order forms |
| Number | Numeric-only input with optional minimum and maximum. | Ages, quantities, budgets |
Only these six inputs carry a placeholder and a default value. Turn into switches freely between them.
Choice
Choice fields let respondents pick from a list you write.
| Type | What it does | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Radio Buttons | Vertical list where exactly one option can be picked. | Yes/no questions, plan selection |
| Decision | A ready-made radio with the fixed values approve, decline, and changes, so an automation can branch on the verdict | Approvals, sign-offs, quote acceptance |
| Checkboxes | Any number of options can be ticked. | Preferences, wishlists, consent |
| Dropdown | Compact picker that opens on click, with search. | Countries, departments, long lists |
| Toggle Switch | Binary on/off switch that submits true or false. | Opt-ins, terms acceptance |
| Single Picture Choice | Image cards with labels — one pick. | Product selection, visual preference |
| Multi Picture Choice | Image cards with labels — several picks. | Design preference sets, visual quizzes |
Decision is the one choice question whose values are fixed — approve, decline,
changes — so a workflow can branch on the answer whatever you call the labels, in any language.
Decisions & approvals →
Picture choice is one block with two modes. Switch between them with Allow multiple selection / Allow single selection in the block menu.
Rating and scale
These fields measure sentiment, preference, or priority. The Summary tab charts their distribution.
| Type | What it does | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Star Rating | A row of stars — 5 by default, adjustable from 1 to 10 in the block menu. | Satisfaction scores, reviews |
| Ranking | Drag-to-reorder list. Every option is always ranked, so it never blocks submission. | Priority lists, preference order |
| Matrix / Grid | Rows are sub-questions, columns are the answers; one column per row. | Satisfaction surveys, comparison grids |
Linear scale is not in the block menu
A linear scale (a numbered scale from 1 up to 10 — good for NPS or Likert) has no entry of its own. Insert a Star Rating and use Turn into → Linear scale in the block menu, or ask AI chat for one. Adjust the maximum with Increase / Decrease scale max.
Date and time
| Type | What it does | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Date Picker | Calendar popup with optional earliest and latest date. | Birthdates, event dates, deadlines |
| Time Picker | Time-of-day input with optional earliest and latest time. | Meeting times, availability windows |
Files and documents
| Type | What it does | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| File Upload | Drag-and-drop or click-to-browse uploader. You set the accepted types, the size cap, and how many files. | Resumes, photos, receipts |
| Documents | Files you hand to the respondent as a download list. It collects no answer, and a request can add files for its one recipient below the ones you uploaded — never replacing them | Contract drafts, price lists, terms |
| Signature | Respondents draw with a mouse or finger; formbase stores it as an image. | Contracts, consent forms, waivers |
Uploads on both sides count toward your workspace storage.
Payments and scheduling
| Type | What it does | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Payment | One-time card payment through Stripe at submit time. Logic can set, increase, or decrease the amount | Registration fees, orders, donations |
| Schedule appointment | Cal.com availability and booking inside the form. The answer is the booking: time, attendee, meeting link and status | Consultations, interviews, demos |
Looking for CAPTCHA?
Bot protection is a form-level setting, not a question type. It is always on for free forms; from Pro you can toggle it per form under Form settings → Access. See CAPTCHA and bot protection.
Blocks that are not questions
The rest of the block menu structures and enriches the form. None of them collects an answer.
Basic Blocks — Heading 1, Heading 2, Heading 3, Bullet List, Numbered List. Paragraph has no menu entry: it is the default block, so just type on the canvas.
Layout — Table, 2 Columns, Repeating Group, Logic, Hidden Field, Calculated Field, Page Break, Thank You Page.
Media — Image, YouTube Embed, Google Maps Embed, Embed anything.
Hidden Field and Calculated Field hold values rather than layout — see Hidden fields and Calculated fields.
Logic shows, hides, requires, jumps, calculates, or blocks submission — see Conditional logic.
Repeating Group lets respondents add the same set of fields more than once — see Repeating groups.
Page Break, 2 Columns, and Thank You Page are covered in Form structure.
On a thank-you page
Questions, logic, and page breaks are hidden from the block menu while the cursor sits on the thank-you page — it is the last screen, so there is nothing left to ask or branch on.