Create a Custom Form

A custom form helps you help your users. For example, a well-designed 'Add record' form guides your users through the data-entry process and gets you exactly the information you want. You can do a lot with custom forms, like creating a different form for each type of user and setting up special dynamic rules that display different elements based on the values a user enters. (Read more about custom forms.)

Tip: You don't need to start each new custom form from scratch. You can copy an existing form and change it to suit your needs.

To create a custom form:       

1. In the menu bar on any application page, select Customize > Create a New > Form.

2. Select the table for which you want to create a custom form.

   The Form Builder opens.

3. Enter a name for your form.

4. Select and configure form elements.
   

   The Elements tab lets you select fields and tell QuickBase how to display and handle each one. Read details.

5. Set form properties.
   Click the Properties tab, and then turn on or off the following checkboxes, depending upon your preferences.

   • Display horizontal rules between sections. If you want to use horizontal lines to divide up your form, you must define section headings. (If you want to use rules but don't want section heading text to appear in your form, create section headings but leave the text box blank.)

   • Display built-in fields. Turn on this checkbox if you want to display QuickBase's built-in fields (Date Created, Date Modified, Record ID#, Record Owner, and Last Modified by) at the bottom of your form.

   • Allow field labels to wrap. This option can help keep your form tidy by consolidating long field labels. When you turn on this checkbox, QuickBase formats the label, automatically placing words on multiple lines if they fit better that way. This feature's especially helpful if your labels appear to the left of your fields.

   • When new fields are created in the -- table name -- table. If, after you save this form, you add new fields to this table, QuickBase won't know whether or not you want to add them to this form too. So, take this opportunity to tell QuickBase how to settle the question:

     1. • Do Nothing. Select this option and QuickBase won't add the field to the form, nor will it prompt you to add it.

        • Automatically add fields to the bottom of this form. If you want QuickBase to always add new fields to this form, select this option. New fields are always added to the bottom of a form. You can easily move them (read how).

        • Ask whether the fields should be added to this form. Choose this option and QuickBase will always prompt you when you create a new field to see if you want it on this form.

     Whatever option you choose here, know that you can always add a field to the form by editing the form at any time.

6. Create Dynamic Rules.
   
   Click the Rules tab and bring your forms to life by designing behaviors for it. For example, when a user makes a selection from one field, have your form display a related field automatically. (Read how to create rules.)

7. When you are done creating your form, click Preview to see what your form looks like. When you're satisfied with the results, click Save.
   
   To clear the form and start over, click Clear, and then click OK to confirm the action.

Now you can assign the form to a specific role or report, if you want.

Related Topics

• About custom forms

• Designing a form

• Creating Dynamic Form Rules

• Conditional Dropdown fields

• Associating a custom form with reports and roles

• Editing a custom form

• Copying a custom form

• Deleting a custom form

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