Adobe Forms THE FORM ELEMENT PANEL

Creating a form using the Adobe FormsCentral is a quick and easy way to distribute a variety of forms including surveys and applications. FormsCentral allows you to distribute via and collect the responses without having stacks of paper in front of you. In this interactive resource, you will see how to create a form from scratch, using the Form Element Panel. It will take you through each of the options, and demonstrate how it will look in your form. When you first open the FormsCentral software, you will be able to create a blank form or choose from an existing template. If you choose to create a form using an existing template, each of the fields are easily edited using the form element panel that is demonstrated throughout this resource. In this document, we will choose to create a Blank Form.

After selecting “Blank Form” a new window will appear with the options to Add Item. This field is known as the Form Element Panel and is the essential tool for adding fields to your form. ** After you have entered your first field, the labeled panel disappears and is replaced with just the icons.

Click each icon to learn more about what it does.

Click here to return to The Form Element Panel Enter a single line for a text response. Examples include: dates, titles, names, locations, etc. The single line text field should not contain a lot of information, but should instead be very short to one word. The arrow is pointing toward two examples of single line text fields. As you can see, it is clear what is being requested. The responder should also be entering a small amount of information. Use the Field Properties to adjust the position (center, right aligned, left aligned). You may also change the number of lines and set specific requirements for the responder.

Click here to return to The Form Element Panel Very similar to the Single Line, the multiline Text Field allows for several lines of text. The Text Field (multiline) is ideal for Additional Comments field. As with the single text field, you may adjust the Field Properties, restricting the character count. In the first example, the field’s description is placed above the field the responder would enter text. It is easy to change this location. Simply click the field you want to change, click and choose from the “Label Position” dropdown. An example is displayed below

When you enter a date field, you will have to provide the label by clicking in the box that says “edit label”. Click here to return to The Form Element Panel The Date Field is an example of a single line text field. Many forms require a date field, and Adobe FormsCentral has provided a “shortcut” for it in Form Element Panel. You may also change the field type, again using the Field Properties that appears when the field is selected. You may change it to text, number fields and even an field (although, the Form Element Panel has created a icon as well). You may also limit the date range in the Field Properties The final form that is distributed will include a calendar button like the example below.

Click here to return to The Form Element Panel Like the Date Field, the Field is one of the default fields. In the above example, I have relocated the field so it sits next to the Trainers field. This is useful if you are trying to save space on your form or ensure it fits on a set number of pages. All of the fields have this ability to be moved to different places in the form, so you aren’t locked into the original placement of the field. In order to move fields around, simply click on the field you wish you move. On the left side is a place for you click and drag using your mouse.

Click here to return to The Form Element Panel The Single Choice Field is great for providing the responder with several options but restricting their choice to one item in the list. These examples demonstrate what a single choice field might look like. In the second example, the “Include ‘Other’ Choice has been selected. The “Other” option provides a single line text field for the responder to insert another option.

Click here to return to The Form Element Panel Unlike the Single Choice Field, the Multiple Choice Field allows for the selection of more than one response. The above example demonstrates how the Multiple Choice Field looks. To add additional choices, click on the “+” sign next to the last field entered, click in the box and enter the additional information. To the left is an example of how a Multiple Choice Field looks after the options have been entered.

Click here to return to The Form Element Panel The Drop Down Menu allows creates a drop down list within the survey. It is ideal for saving space in a form when the responder is needing to choose from a list of options. The first example shows how the Drop Down Menu appears. The responder would click on the dropdown arrow to view the list of selections. Below demonstrates what it might look like when the arrow is clicked. **Note: When using this element, only 1 selection may be used. If you want to give the responder the ability to select multiple options, use the Multiple Choice Field. (Slide 10)

Click here to return to The Form Element Panel The single checkbox allows for a single choice response. Single Checkboxes, while restrictive, can be helpful and save space on your survey. The example to the above is a yes/no question. It helps limit the amount of responses.

Click here to return to The Form Element Panel The Rating Scale allows the responder to select a single answer from a range of options. These are especially useful when working with surveys. Much like the other elements, the Rating Scale’s Field Properties provides a variety of preset options. You may enter your own range by clicking on the existing tabs. The Field Properties also allow you to add Alternating Row Colors, as well as border colors.

Click here to return to The Form Element Panel This element is great for providing information about the various parts of your form. This example demonstrates adding text to the beginning of your form; however, Formatted Text may be added to any part of your survey as you feel necessary.

Clicking on the Image Icon will open a window that will allow you to browse your computer or the web for the perfect image. This example is browsing for an image within the pictures folder of the computer. Once you have selected the image you want to use, click “Open” and move the image to the place in the form you wish it to be. Click here to return to The Form Element Panel Add Images throughout your survey or insert a logo. Remember, the tool for moving fields? If not, click on the image below to return to the example.

Click here to return to The Form Element Panel Adding a Horizontal Line to a form helps break it up and distinguish between different parts In this example, a horizontal line has been inserted to distinguish between a ranking question and a single checkbox question.

You may want to add a formatted text box at the top of your newly created page. Click here to return to The Form Element Panel Add a New Page to a form to help spread fields out or add more fields if you run out of space.