Complete guide to all 28 field types in BLDR.

BLDR offers 28 different field types to capture any kind of data you need. Each field type is optimized for specific types of information. This reference provides detailed configuration options, validation rules, and best practices for each field type.

Quick Navigation

Text & Content • Date & Time • Selection • Media • Location • People & Organization • Advanced • Layout

📝 Text & Content Fields

1. Single Line Text

Best for: Names, titles, short answers

Use cases: Worker name, Job title, Location name, Equipment ID, License plate, Reference number

Configuration Options

  • Placeholder text: Hint text shown in empty field (e.g., "Enter worker name")
  • Default value: Pre-fill with a specific value
  • Character limit: Set minimum (1-1000) and maximum (1-1000) characters
  • Input mask: Force specific format (phone, SSN, custom pattern)
  • Auto-capitalize: None, Words, Sentences, All Characters

Validation Options

  • Required: Field must be completed before submission
  • Pattern match: Validate against regex (e.g., email format, ID pattern)
  • Unique: Prevent duplicate entries across all submissions

Data Export Format

Exports as plain text string. Empty fields export as blank/null.

2. Multi-Line Text

Best for: Descriptions, comments, detailed notes, narrative content

Use cases: Work description, Incident details, Issue notes, Meeting minutes, Safety observations, Scope of work

Configuration Options

  • Placeholder text: Guide text for empty field
  • Default value: Pre-populated text or template
  • Character limit: Min 0, Max up to 10,000 characters
  • Display rows: Initial visible height (2-20 rows)
  • Auto-expand: Field grows as user types
  • Rich text: Enable bold, italic, bullets, numbered lists

Validation Options

  • Required: Must contain text
  • Minimum length: Require at least X characters
  • Word count: Enforce minimum/maximum word count

Mobile Behavior

On mobile devices, tapping opens a full-screen text editor for easier input. Voice-to-text is available when enabled on the device.

3. Number

Best for: Quantities, counts, measurements, numeric data

Use cases: Crew count, Material quantity, Measurements, Temperature readings, Equipment hours, Square footage

Configuration Options

  • Minimum value: Lowest allowed number (e.g., 0, -100)
  • Maximum value: Highest allowed number (e.g., 999, 10000)
  • Decimal places: 0 (whole numbers), 1, 2, 3, or 4 decimal places
  • Step increment: Value changes by this amount (e.g., 0.5, 1, 10)
  • Prefix: Text before number (e.g., "#", "Unit")
  • Suffix: Text after number (e.g., "ft", "lbs", "hrs", "sq ft")
  • Default value: Pre-set number
  • Show slider: Display as slider instead of input box (great for ratings, ranges)

Validation Options

  • Required: Must enter a number
  • Range validation: Error if outside min/max
  • Integer only: Reject decimal values

Calculations

Number fields can be referenced in Calculated Fields for totals, averages, and formulas. See Calculated Field section.

Data Export Format

Exports as numeric value. Prefix/suffix are stored separately as metadata.

4. Currency

Best for: Money amounts, costs, pricing, financial data

Use cases: Material cost, Labor charges, Change order amounts, Equipment rental, Per diem, Invoice totals

Configuration Options

  • Currency symbol: $, €, £, ¥, or custom symbol
  • Currency code: USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, etc.
  • Decimal places: 0 or 2 (default: 2)
  • Thousand separator: Comma (1,000) or period (1.000)
  • Minimum value: Set floor (often 0 to prevent negatives)
  • Maximum value: Set ceiling
  • Default value: Pre-set amount

Validation Options

  • Required: Must enter an amount
  • Non-negative: Prevent negative values
  • Range: Must be within specified range

Display

Currency fields automatically format with proper separators (e.g., $1,234.56). The numeric keypad appears on mobile devices.

Data Export Format

Exports as decimal number. Currency symbol and formatting stored as metadata. Example: 1234.56

5. Percentage

Best for: Completion rates, scores, ratios, proportions

Use cases: Project completion, Quality score, Inspection pass rate, Budget utilization, Work progress

Configuration Options

  • Minimum value: Usually 0
  • Maximum value: Usually 100 (can exceed for some cases)
  • Decimal places: 0, 1, or 2
  • Display mode: Input box, slider, or progress bar
  • Step increment: 1%, 5%, 10%, 25%, or custom
  • Default value: Starting percentage
  • Color coding: Green (75-100%), Yellow (50-74%), Red (0-49%) - customizable

Validation Options

  • Required: Must enter percentage
  • Range: Must be within 0-100% (or custom range)

Display

Shows with % symbol. Slider mode provides visual feedback. Progress bar mode shows colored bar visualization.

Data Export Format

Exports as decimal (0.75 for 75%) or integer (75) based on export settings.

📅 Date & Time Fields

6. Date

Best for: Recording specific calendar dates

Use cases: Inspection date, Delivery date, Start date, Due date, Completion date, Incident date

Configuration Options

  • Date format display: MM/DD/YYYY, DD/MM/YYYY, YYYY-MM-DD, or localized
  • Earliest date: Prevent dates before a specific date
  • Latest date: Prevent dates after a specific date
  • Relative constraints: "Today or earlier", "Today or later", "Within 30 days"
  • Default value: None, Today, Tomorrow, specific date
  • Disable weekends: Only allow weekdays
  • Disable specific dates: Block holidays or other dates

Validation Options

  • Required: Must select a date
  • Date range: Must be within specified range
  • Compare to other field: "Must be after Start Date"

Input Methods

Desktop: Calendar picker popup. Mobile: Native date picker optimized for touch. Manual typing also supported.

Data Export Format

ISO 8601 format: YYYY-MM-DD (e.g., 2025-01-15). Can also export in localized formats.

7. Time

Best for: Recording specific times of day

Use cases: Start time, End time, Break time, Arrival time, Meeting time, Shift start

Configuration Options

  • Time format: 12-hour (AM/PM) or 24-hour
  • Minute increment: 1, 5, 15, or 30 minute intervals
  • Earliest time: e.g., 6:00 AM
  • Latest time: e.g., 10:00 PM
  • Default value: None, Current time, specific time
  • Include seconds: Show seconds input (rare, for precise logging)

Validation Options

  • Required: Must enter a time
  • Time range: Must be within business hours, etc.
  • Compare to other field: "End Time must be after Start Time"

Input Methods

Desktop: Time picker with scrolling hours/minutes. Mobile: Native time picker. Supports keyboard entry.

Data Export Format

24-hour format: HH:MM:SS (e.g., 14:30:00) or HH:MM (e.g., 14:30)

8. Date & Time

Best for: Recording exact moments with date and time combined

Use cases: Incident timestamp, Arrival/departure, Delivery received, Inspection completed, Equipment check-in

Configuration Options

  • Date format: MM/DD/YYYY, DD/MM/YYYY, etc.
  • Time format: 12-hour or 24-hour
  • Minute increment: 1, 5, 15, or 30 minutes
  • Timezone: User's local timezone, project timezone, or UTC
  • Default value: None, Current date/time, specific date/time
  • Auto-capture: Automatically record current timestamp on form open
  • Earliest/Latest: Constrain selectable dates/times

Validation Options

  • Required: Must select date and time
  • Range validation: Must be within certain window
  • Future only / Past only: Restrict to future or past dates

Data Export Format

ISO 8601 format: YYYY-MM-DDTHH:MM:SS (e.g., 2025-01-15T14:30:00). Timezone info included when relevant.

9. Time Duration

Best for: Recording lengths of time (elapsed time)

Use cases: Hours worked, Equipment runtime, Task duration, Break length, Travel time, Overtime hours

Configuration Options

  • Format: Hours only, Hours:Minutes, Hours:Minutes:Seconds, or Days:Hours:Minutes
  • Minimum duration: e.g., 0, 15 minutes
  • Maximum duration: e.g., 24 hours, 40 hours
  • Increment: 1 min, 5 min, 15 min, 30 min, 1 hour
  • Default value: Pre-set duration
  • Input mode: Direct entry, Start/End time calculator, or stopwatch

Validation Options

  • Required: Must enter duration
  • Range: Must be within min/max

Special Features

  • Start/End Calculator: User enters start and end times, duration auto-calculated
  • Running Timer: Start/stop button to track time in real-time

Data Export Format

Exports in minutes (integer) or as decimal hours (e.g., 1.5 for 1 hour 30 minutes).

☑️ Selection Fields

10. Single Select (Dropdown)

Best for: Choosing one option from a predefined list

Use cases: Project name, Status, Category, Priority, Phase, Trade type, Weather condition

Configuration Options

  • Options list: Add unlimited options manually or import from CSV
  • Option values: Display label can differ from stored value
  • Option colors: Assign colors to options for visual identification
  • Default selection: Pre-select an option
  • Placeholder: "Select an option..." or custom text
  • Searchable: Enable type-to-search for long lists (10+ items)
  • Allow "Other": Include "Other" with text field for custom entries
  • Linked list: Options pulled from another form's submissions or company data
  • Sort order: Alphabetical, custom order, or by frequency used

Validation Options

  • Required: Must select an option

Display Modes

  • Dropdown: Compact, click to expand (best for 5+ options)
  • Button group: All options visible as buttons (best for 2-5 options)

Data Export Format

Exports the selected option's value (not display label). "Other" values export the custom text.

11. Multi-Select (Checkboxes)

Best for: Selecting multiple options from a list

Use cases: PPE worn, Issues found, Equipment used, Trades on site, Safety hazards identified, Materials needed

Configuration Options

  • Options list: Unlimited options, manual or CSV import
  • Option colors: Visual coding for each option
  • Minimum selections: Require at least X selections
  • Maximum selections: Limit to X selections
  • Default selections: Pre-check specific options
  • Allow "Other": Text field for unlisted items
  • Select all option: Include "Select All" / "Clear All" buttons
  • Layout: Vertical list, horizontal, or grid (2-4 columns)

Validation Options

  • Required: At least one selection required
  • Min/Max selections: Control number of selections

Data Export Format

Exports as comma-separated values (e.g., "Hard Hat, Safety Vest, Gloves") or as array in JSON.

12. Radio Buttons

Best for: Choosing one option when all options should be visible

Use cases: Quality rating (Pass/Fail/N/A), Approval status, Condition assessment, Priority level

Configuration Options

  • Options: 2-10 visible options (more than 10 should use dropdown)
  • Layout: Vertical stack, horizontal row, or button group
  • Option colors: Color-code each option (e.g., green=Pass, red=Fail)
  • Default selection: Pre-select an option (or none)
  • Allow deselect: Let user clear selection by clicking again

Validation Options

  • Required: Must select one option

When to Use vs. Dropdown

Use radio buttons when you want all options visible at once (great for forms where quick scanning is important). Use dropdown when space is limited or you have many options.

13. Yes/No

Best for: Binary true/false questions

Use cases: "Is site secured?", "Was task completed?", "Injury reported?", "Equipment functional?", "Permits obtained?"

Configuration Options

  • Labels: Customize button text (Yes/No, True/False, Pass/Fail, Approved/Denied)
  • Colors: Assign colors to each option (commonly green/red)
  • Default value: None, Yes, or No
  • Include N/A: Add third "N/A" or "Not Applicable" option
  • Style: Buttons, toggle switch, or radio buttons

Validation Options

  • Required: Must answer
  • Must be Yes: For compliance confirmations

Conditional Logic

Yes/No fields are commonly used to trigger conditional logic. Example: If "Incident occurred?" = Yes, show incident detail fields.

Data Export Format

Exports as boolean (true/false), text ("Yes"/"No"), or numeric (1/0) based on settings.

14. Checkbox

Best for: Single acknowledgment or toggle

Use cases: "I agree to terms", "Verified by supervisor", "Task complete", "Safety briefing attended"

Configuration Options

  • Label text: The statement being confirmed
  • Default state: Unchecked (default) or checked
  • Style: Standard checkbox, toggle switch, or checkmark button

Validation Options

  • Required (must be checked): Form cannot submit until checked (for agreements, confirmations)

Difference from Yes/No

Checkbox is a single "I confirm this" action. Yes/No is a question requiring an answer. Use checkbox for acknowledgments; use Yes/No for questions.

Data Export Format

Exports as boolean (true/false) or numeric (1/0).

15. Star Rating

Best for: Quality assessments, satisfaction scores, visual ratings

Use cases: Work quality rating, Site cleanliness, Subcontractor performance, Safety compliance level

Configuration Options

  • Scale: 3, 5, or 10 stars
  • Half-star: Allow half-star increments (e.g., 3.5 stars)
  • Icon: Stars (default), hearts, thumbs, or custom icon
  • Colors: Single color or gradient (red→yellow→green)
  • Labels: Add text labels (1=Poor, 3=Average, 5=Excellent)
  • Default value: Pre-set rating or none

Validation Options

  • Required: Must provide rating
  • Minimum rating: Alert if rating below threshold

Data Export Format

Exports as numeric value (e.g., 4, 4.5, or 3).

📷 Media Fields

16. Photo

Best for: Visual documentation with photos

Use cases: Progress photos, Safety hazards, Damage documentation, Before/after shots, Delivery verification, Issue reporting

Configuration Options

  • Source: Camera only, Gallery only, or Both (default)
  • Minimum photos: Require at least X photos
  • Maximum photos: Limit to X photos (1-50)
  • Photo quality: Original, High (2048px), Medium (1024px), or Low (512px)
  • Require caption: Force caption/description for each photo
  • Annotation tools: Enable drawing, arrows, text overlay on photos
  • Auto-timestamp: Overlay date/time on photo
  • Auto-location: Embed GPS coordinates in photo metadata
  • Watermark: Add company logo or project name

Validation Options

  • Required: Must attach at least one photo
  • Minimum count: Must have at least X photos

Mobile Features

  • Direct camera access with tap-to-capture
  • Photo gallery selection
  • Built-in annotation tools (draw, arrows, text, shapes)
  • Automatic EXIF data capture (time, location)
  • Offline photo capture with sync when online

Storage

Photos are stored in secure cloud storage. Original quality retained. Thumbnails generated for faster loading.

Data Export Format

Photos export as URLs, downloadable ZIP, or embedded in PDF reports. EXIF metadata preserved.

17. File Upload

Best for: Attaching documents and files

Use cases: PDF plans, Permits, Certifications, Spreadsheets, Spec sheets, Contracts, Safety data sheets

Configuration Options

  • Allowed file types: All, Documents only (PDF, DOC, XLS), Images only, or custom list
  • File size limit: Up to 25MB per file (default 10MB)
  • Maximum files: 1-20 files per field
  • Require description: Force file description entry

Supported File Types

  • Documents: PDF, DOC, DOCX, XLS, XLSX, PPT, PPTX, TXT, RTF
  • Images: JPG, PNG, GIF, BMP, TIFF, HEIC, WebP
  • Other: ZIP, CSV, DWG (AutoCAD), DXF

Validation Options

  • Required: Must upload at least one file
  • File type restriction: Only accept specified types
  • Size limit: Reject files over specified size

Security

Files are scanned for viruses before storage. Stored with encryption at rest. Access controlled by form permissions.

Data Export Format

Files export as download URLs or in ZIP archive. Metadata (filename, size, upload date) included in exports.

18. Signature

Best for: Legal sign-offs and approvals

Use cases: Foreman sign-off, Safety acknowledgment, Delivery receipt, Timesheet approval, Change order authorization, Inspection completion

Configuration Options

  • Require printed name: Text field for printed name alongside signature
  • Require date: Auto-capture or manual date with signature
  • Require title/role: Job title entry with signature
  • Signature label: "Worker Signature", "Supervisor Approval", etc.
  • Canvas size: Small, Medium, or Large drawing area
  • Ink color: Black (default), Blue, or custom color
  • Background: White, signature line, or custom

Validation Options

  • Required: Must sign before submitting
  • Name must match logged-in user: For verified signatures

Capture Methods

  • Draw: Finger on mobile, mouse/trackpad on desktop
  • Type: Type name and select font style (cursive)
  • Upload: Upload image of signature (if enabled)

Legal Compliance

Signatures include timestamp, IP address, device info, and user ID for legal documentation. Compliant with e-signature laws (ESIGN Act, UETA).

Data Export Format

Exports as image (PNG) embedded in PDF reports. Metadata (timestamp, signer info) included in data exports.

📍 Location Fields

19. GPS Location

Best for: Automatically capturing where work is performed

Use cases: Job site verification, Equipment location, Incident site, Delivery drop-off, Field inspection location

Configuration Options

  • Auto-capture: Automatically record location when form opens or on submit
  • Manual capture: Button to capture current location
  • Display format: Coordinates, Address, or Both
  • Show map: Display interactive map with pin
  • Allow manual adjustment: Let user drag pin to correct location
  • Accuracy threshold: Require location accuracy within X meters
  • Geofencing: Validate location is within specified area

Captured Data

  • Latitude/Longitude: Precise GPS coordinates
  • Address: Reverse-geocoded street address
  • Accuracy: Location accuracy in meters
  • Timestamp: When location was captured
  • Altitude: Elevation if available

Validation Options

  • Required: Must capture location
  • Geofence: Must be within defined project site boundaries
  • Accuracy: Reject if accuracy exceeds threshold

Privacy Note

Location capture requires device permission. Users are notified when location is being accessed. GPS works in offline mode—location syncs when back online.

Data Export Format

Exports as coordinates (lat, lng), address text, or Google Maps link. Example: 34.0522, -118.2437

20. Address

Best for: Manual address entry with validation

Use cases: Project address, Delivery destination, Vendor location, Material pickup site, Client address

Configuration Options

  • Autocomplete: Google Places autocomplete suggestions as user types
  • Address components: Choose which fields to show:
    • Street address (line 1)
    • Street address line 2 (apt, suite, unit)
    • City
    • State/Province
    • ZIP/Postal code
    • Country
  • Single field: One combined address field with autocomplete
  • Default country: Pre-select country for faster entry
  • Show map: Display map preview of entered address

Validation Options

  • Required: Must enter address
  • Valid address: Must be recognized by Google Places
  • Country restriction: Only accept addresses in specified countries

Data Export Format

Exports as formatted address string or as separate components (street, city, state, zip, country). Geocoded coordinates included if map view is enabled.

👥 People & Organization

21. User Picker

Best for: Selecting team members from your organization

Use cases: Assigned to, Submitted by, Approved by, Foreman, Project manager, Crew lead, Inspector

Configuration Options

  • Selection mode: Single user or Multiple users
  • User pool: All company users, Project members only, specific roles, or custom list
  • Filter by role: Only show Admins, Foremen, Field Workers, etc.
  • Default value: None, Current user (auto-fill logged-in user), or specific user
  • Display format: Name only, Name + Title, Name + Photo
  • Searchable: Type to filter user list
  • Show inactive: Include/exclude inactive users

Validation Options

  • Required: Must select a user
  • Cannot be current user: For approval workflows

Notifications

Selected users can optionally receive email/push notifications when selected. Useful for task assignment and approval requests.

Data Export Format

Exports user name, email, and user ID. Multiple users exported as comma-separated list or array.

22. Contact

Best for: Recording external contact information

Use cases: Client contact, Vendor rep, Subcontractor, Inspector, Visitor info, Emergency contact

Configuration Options

  • Fields to include: Choose which contact fields to show:
    • Name (First, Last, or Full name)
    • Company/Organization
    • Title/Role
    • Phone (with type: Mobile, Work, Home)
    • Email
    • Address
    • Notes
  • Save to contacts: Option to save to company contact list for reuse
  • Lookup existing: Search company contact list to auto-fill
  • Multiple contacts: Allow adding multiple contacts

Validation Options

  • Required fields: Specify which contact fields are required
  • Email format: Validate email format
  • Phone format: Validate phone number format

Quick Actions

Tap phone number to call, tap email to compose message. Click-to-dial and click-to-email enabled on supported devices.

Data Export Format

Exports all contact fields as structured data. Compatible with CRM imports.

🔧 Advanced Fields

23. Calculated Field

Best for: Automatic calculations based on other field values

Use cases: Total cost, Hours worked, Quantity × Price, Running totals, Tax calculations, Labor cost

Configuration Options

  • Formula builder: Visual formula editor with field references
  • Result format: Number, Currency, Percentage, Duration
  • Decimal places: Control precision of result
  • Prefix/Suffix: Add text before/after result
  • Show formula: Display formula to users (or hide)

Supported Operations

  • Math: Add (+), Subtract (-), Multiply (*), Divide (/), Modulo (%)
  • Functions: SUM, AVERAGE, MIN, MAX, ROUND, ABS, FLOOR, CEILING
  • Conditional: IF(condition, then, else)
  • Date math: DATEDIFF (days between dates), TIMEDIFF (hours between times)
  • Text: CONCAT, LENGTH, UPPER, LOWER
  • Aggregate: SUM across repeating sections

Formula Examples

  • {Quantity} * {Unit_Price} → Line item total
  • {Subtotal} * 0.0825 → Sales tax (8.25%)
  • TIMEDIFF({End_Time}, {Start_Time}) → Hours worked
  • IF({Overtime} > 0, {Overtime} * {Rate} * 1.5, 0) → Overtime pay
  • SUM({Line_Items.Total}) → Grand total of line items

Behavior

Calculations update in real-time as users fill out the form. Users cannot edit calculated values directly.

Data Export Format

Exports the calculated result value. Formula stored as metadata.

24. Conditional Logic

Best for: Creating dynamic, adaptive forms

Use cases: Show injury details only if incident occurred, Show subcontractor fields for sub work, Branch forms based on inspection type

How It Works

Conditional logic controls the visibility or requirement of fields based on answers to other fields. This creates smart forms that adapt to user input.

Configuration Options

  • Trigger field: The field whose value triggers the condition
  • Condition: equals, not equals, contains, greater than, less than, is empty, is not empty
  • Target fields: Fields to show/hide or make required/optional
  • Action: Show, Hide, Make Required, Make Optional, Set Value
  • Multiple conditions: AND/OR logic for complex rules

Examples

  • If "Incident occurred?" = Yes, then show "Incident Details" section
  • If "Work Type" = "Electrical", then show "Permit Number" and make it required
  • If "Rating" < 3, then require "Explanation" field
  • If "Country" = "Canada", then show "Province" (instead of "State")

Best Practices

  • Keep conditions simple—complex nested logic confuses users
  • Test all paths before publishing form
  • Consider what happens if trigger field is cleared
  • Hidden required fields are skipped during validation

25. Lookup

Best for: Pulling data from other forms or company lists

Use cases: Select equipment and auto-fill specs, Select project and load address, Select employee and auto-fill info

Configuration Options

  • Data source: Another form's submissions, Equipment list, Employee list, Project list, Cost codes, Custom list
  • Lookup field: Field to search/select from (e.g., Equipment Name)
  • Display fields: Additional info to show in dropdown (e.g., Equipment ID, Type)
  • Auto-fill fields: Map source fields to form fields to auto-populate
  • Filters: Limit lookup results (e.g., only active equipment, only this project)
  • Searchable: Enable type-to-search

Example Setup

Scenario: Equipment checkout form that auto-fills equipment details

  • Lookup source: Equipment Master List
  • Lookup field: Equipment Name
  • Auto-fill mappings:
    • Equipment ID → Equipment ID field
    • Equipment Type → Type field
    • Serial Number → Serial field
    • Last Service Date → Last Service field

Data Export Format

Exports the selected lookup value and any auto-filled fields. Source record ID stored for reference.

26. Barcode/QR Scanner

Best for: Scanning and tracking assets, inventory, materials

Use cases: Equipment check-in/out, Material tracking, Inventory counts, Asset tagging, Tool tracking, Delivery verification

Configuration Options

  • Barcode types: QR Code, Code 128, Code 39, EAN, UPC, Data Matrix, PDF417, or All
  • Manual entry: Allow typing code if scanning fails
  • Lookup on scan: Auto-search database for scanned code
  • Multiple scans: Allow scanning multiple items in sequence
  • Validation: Check format, check against known codes
  • Auto-advance: Move to next field after successful scan

Integration Features

  • Link to equipment/inventory database for instant lookups
  • Auto-fill related fields based on scanned code
  • Track scan history for audit trail
  • Generate QR codes for printing labels

Scanning Tips

  • Ensure good lighting for reliable scans
  • Hold camera 6-12 inches from barcode
  • Keep barcode flat and in focus
  • Works offline—scanned data syncs when back online

Data Export Format

Exports the scanned code value as text string. Multiple scans export as array.

📐 Layout Fields

27. Section Header

Best for: Organizing long forms into logical groups

Use cases: Separate General Info from Work Details, Group safety questions, Create inspection categories, Organize multi-part forms

Configuration Options

  • Title: Section heading text (e.g., "Work Details", "Safety Checklist")
  • Description: Optional subtitle or instructions below heading
  • Collapsible: Allow users to expand/collapse section
  • Default state: Expanded or Collapsed when form loads
  • Icon: Optional icon next to section title
  • Styling: Background color, border, divider line
  • Numbering: Auto-number sections (1, 2, 3 or A, B, C)

Best Practices

  • Use sections to break forms longer than 10 fields
  • Group related fields together logically
  • Keep section titles short and descriptive
  • Consider collapsing optional sections by default
  • Use consistent section naming across forms

PDF Reports

Section headers appear as styled headings in PDF exports, maintaining form organization in printed reports.

28. Instructions

Best for: Adding guidance, help text, and important notices

Use cases: Safety reminders, Procedures to follow, Compliance notices, Required documentation notes, How-to guidance

Configuration Options

  • Content: Rich text with formatting (bold, italic, bullets, links)
  • Style: Info (blue), Warning (yellow), Error (red), Success (green), or Plain
  • Dismissible: Allow users to hide the instruction after reading
  • Icon: Info icon, warning triangle, checkmark, or custom
  • Collapse: Show as expandable "Read more" by default
  • Link: Include hyperlinks to external resources

Content Ideas

  • Step-by-step procedures
  • Safety requirements before starting work
  • Photo documentation guidelines
  • Links to reference documents
  • Contact information for questions
  • Compliance statements

Best Practices

  • Keep instructions concise—long text blocks are often skipped
  • Use bullet points for clarity
  • Place instructions near relevant fields
  • Use warning style for critical safety information

PDF Reports

Instructions can be included or excluded from PDF exports based on form settings.

📊 Field Types Summary Table

Category Field Type Best For
TextSingle Line TextNames, IDs, short text
TextMulti-Line TextDescriptions, notes
TextNumberQuantities, measurements
TextCurrencyMoney amounts
TextPercentageCompletion rates, scores
Date/TimeDateCalendar dates
Date/TimeTimeTime of day
Date/TimeDate & TimeExact timestamps
Date/TimeTime DurationElapsed time
SelectionSingle SelectOne choice from list
SelectionMulti-SelectMultiple choices
SelectionRadio ButtonsOne visible choice
SelectionYes/NoBinary questions
SelectionCheckboxAcknowledgments
SelectionStar RatingQuality scores
MediaPhotoVisual documentation
MediaFile UploadDocuments, PDFs
MediaSignatureDigital sign-offs
LocationGPS LocationAuto location capture
LocationAddressManual address entry
PeopleUser PickerTeam member selection
PeopleContactExternal contact info
AdvancedCalculated FieldAuto computations
AdvancedConditional LogicDynamic forms
AdvancedLookupCross-form data
AdvancedBarcode/QR ScannerAsset tracking
LayoutSection HeaderForm organization
LayoutInstructionsHelp text, guidance
Pro Tip

Use the AI Form Builder to automatically suggest field types based on your form description! Just describe what you want to capture and BLDR will create a complete form with appropriate field types.

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