What is Form Logic?
Form Logic is how you can send submitters down different question paths based on their responses to previous questions. Want to see what this looks like? Click here to see a form using branching. This form is about Best Practices — so while you're there, feel free to give us some feedback!
Why use Form Logic?
Form Logic is a great way to keep your forms brief and relevant for all applicants. It provides a better and faster experience for your submitters, and keeps your form from looking overwhelming at first glance. For you, it helps you include a variety of applicant types in a single program, without cluttering your data with a bunch of "N/A"s.
How does Form Logic work?
You can use Form Logic on the following forms:
There are essentially two stops to using branches:
Part one: Create a branch from a multiple choice question.
You can create a branch from the following form fields:
Dropdown List
Multiple Response Question
Single Response Question
Here’s what to do:
Once you’ve added your question and responses, open the Field Options and select Enable Branching.
A blank box will appear to the right of the option. Type in a name for a new branch. You can also click the down arrow to assign a previously created branch.
Select create Branch or hit Enter to create a new branch.
Part two: Adding future questions onto that branch
When adding new questions, simply assign a branch using the drop down at the top of the question field that says “No Branch Assigned”.
Good to know
Here's a roundup of some of the FAQs and nuances for Form Logic.
You can branch to any form field except the submission name field.
You are limited to 30 branches per form.
Required questions in branches will only be required for the submitters guided onto that branch.
Make sure there is no circular branching: a question should not be linked to a branch that loops back to one of its own answer options.
Branches will show up where they are located in the form. So it is possible to include a question with the parent branch, then some questions for all submitters, and then the child branched questions, in that order.
In reporting, be aware that branches will expand the number of columns in the spreadsheet, and some cells will be blank if the applicant didn’t go through that branch-work.
You can change the name of your branches by selecting Manage Branches when “enable branching” is on.
When enable branching is on, you will see the option to add a branch to every question. Simply leave it as is for any questions you wish to display to all submitters.
Tips & tricks
Straight from our support team, here are some hacks to help you use (or not use!) Form Logic successfully.
For a long or complicated form, it may be a good idea to map out your branching in advance with pen and paper or a spreadsheet. This will save you time form building.
Always preview a form with branching in it!
You can use text field within branching to give applicants feedback on a response, such as if a specific response would make them ineligible or less likely to be successful.
Is your branching getting out of control? Keep in mind that you can also use Additional Forms or Request Forms to gather information from certain submitters at a later date. Use auto-labels and filters to streamline these bulk actions. Alternatively, for some programs, it may make sense to run two projects with different forms, one for some submitter types (such as individuals) and another to other types (such as organizations).
I hope Form Logic is available on all current Submittable Starter package subscriptions and above. Missing it? Contact your Customer Success Manager to upgrade.