Fields
Complete guide to field types, configuration, and validation
Field Types
FillFlow supports 9 different field types. Each type is optimized for collecting specific kinds of data.
Text
Single-line text input for short text responses.
Best for: Names, titles, short answers
Validation: Maximum length, pattern matching
Email address input with automatic validation.
Best for: Email addresses, contact information
Validation: Must be valid email format (user@domain.com)
Number
Numeric input that only accepts numbers.
Best for: Quantities, ages, years, measurements
Validation: Must be a valid number, min/max values
Date
Date picker for selecting dates.
Best for: Birth dates, event dates, deadlines
Validation: Must be valid date format, min/max dates
Textarea
Multi-line text input for longer responses.
Best for: Comments, descriptions, feedback, essays
Validation: Maximum length, pattern matching
Select (Dropdown)
Dropdown menu for choosing one option from a list.
Best for: Country selection, department choice, predefined categories
Configuration: Add options with labels and values
Radio Buttons
Single choice from visible options displayed as radio buttons.
Best for: Yes/No questions, 2-5 mutually exclusive options
Configuration: Add options with labels and values
Checkboxes
Multiple choice options where users can select multiple items.
Best for: Interests, preferences, features, multi-select lists
Configuration: Add options with labels and values
File Upload
File upload field for documents, images, or other files.
Best for: Resumes, documents, photos, attachments
Configuration: Allowed file types, maximum file size
Field Properties
All fields share these common properties:
Label
The question or prompt shown to users. Labels should be clear, concise, and specific.
Placeholder
Example text shown inside the input field (available for text, email, number, textarea). Use placeholders to provide examples or format hints.
Required
Whether the field must be filled out before submission. Required fields are marked with an asterisk (*).
Options
For select, radio, and checkbox fields, define the available choices. Each option has:
- Label: Text shown to users
- Value: Internal value stored in database
Field Validation
FillFlow automatically validates fields based on their type:
Required Fields
Required fields must have a value before submission. Empty required fields show an error message.
Format Validation
- Email: Must match email format
- Number: Must be a valid number
- Date: Must be a valid date
Custom Validation
Additional validation rules can be configured for specific needs (coming soon).
Best Practices
Choosing Field Types
- Use the most specific field type available
- Email fields for emails (not text fields)
- Number fields for numbers (not text fields)
- Select/radio/checkbox for predefined options (not text fields)
Writing Labels
- Be specific and clear
- Use proper grammar and punctuation
- Avoid jargon and technical terms
- Include units where relevant (e.g., "Age (years)")
Using Placeholders
- Show example formats (e.g., "john@example.com")
- Provide helpful hints (e.g., "Enter your full legal name")
- Keep placeholders short and relevant
- Don't use placeholders as labels
Required Fields
- Only mark fields as required if you absolutely need the data
- Too many required fields reduce completion rates
- Consider making fields optional with clear labels
Field Order
The order of fields matters for user experience:
- Start with easy, non-sensitive fields
- Group related fields together
- Save sensitive fields (phone, address) for later
- End with optional or supplementary fields
- Use the field navigator to reorder fields easily