Understanding Registration Form Fields

This article applies to the following role permission: ConexED Administrator, Department Director, Group Manager

With our Registration Form builder, users have access to a wide range of form field options that can be tailored to their specific needs. From simple text fields to dropdown menus, checkboxes, and more, each form field can be customized to collect the necessary information from students effectively. Use this article to gain a deeper understanding of each Form Field and discover how to customize and incorporate them into your form.

Form Fields

There are a number of ways to use each form field, giving users the flexibility to choose the most suitable form fields for each question or data point they are trying to capture. 

• Checkbox Group
• Date Field
• File Upload
• Header
• Number
• Radio Group
• Select
• Text Area
• Form Step Action
• Cohort Application
• Attribute Selection
• Text Field
• Cohort Auto Sorter
• Repeatable Field
• Custom Paragraph
• Phone & SMS Opt-In

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Checkbox Group: Checkbox form fields come in handy when users need to select one or multiple options from a list by checking individual checkboxes. This offers flexibility for students to indicate preferences or select multiple items from a list of options, and can also be used for a single option as a way for students to acknowledge or confirm information.

• • Example: a form question related to student interests or extracurricular activities and students are asked to select applicable options from an available list. 
  • Example: when users need to acknowledge or confirm their agreement to a privacy statement, a checkbox with only one option can be used.

Date Field: The Date Field allows students to choose a specific date from a calendar tool, eliminating potential formatting errors that may occur if a date is manually entered into a text field.

• • Example: when gathering personal information in a form section, a date field can be used to prompt students to input their birthdate.
  • Example: a form field related to work history may use a date field for students to input their start date at a job.

File Upload: File uploads are useful when collecting documents from students such as transcripts, identification proofs, or any other necessary paperwork. This feature allows students to securely upload files directly to the Registration Form from their device, ensuring that all required documentation is submitted accurately and conveniently. You can choose to only allow one file upload, or you can select the option to allow for multiple file uploads.

• • Example: a section in the form requesting student information may prompt students to upload a scanned copy of their photo ID
  • Example: students may be requested to submit a copy of their high school transcripts for verification

 

Header: Headers can serve as a way to divide questions within a form section or to highlight crucial information, ensuring that students do not overlook it.

 

Number: A Number form field is used when you want users to input numerical values within a specified range. It allows you to set minimum and maximum values, as well as a step value, which defines the increments by which the number can be changed. This form field is useful for collecting data such as age, GPA, or quantity of items, where the input needs to be a number within a certain range.

• • Example: Allowing users to rate something on a numerical scale, such as a satisfaction rating.
  • Example: Providing the number of years of experience in a specific field or program.

Radio Group:  A radio group form field is used when you want users to select only one option from a list of choices. This form field is ideal for questions where users need to choose a single response such as selecting a gender or indicating their student status (e.g., undergraduate, graduate, alumni).

• • Example: Selecting a preferred housing option (e.g., dorm, off-campus housing).
  • Example: Indicating a meal plan preference (e.g., full meal plan, partial meal plan, no meal plan).

Select: Select form fields are similar provide student with a dropdown list of options to choose from. Users can allow students to select one or multiple options from a select field.

• • Example: Choosing a major or program of study from a dropdown list.
  • Example: Providing options for users to select their gender identity.

Text Area: A Text Area in a form is used for collecting longer, multi-line pieces of text. It provides a larger input area compared to a text field, allowing users to enter paragraphs of text or longer responses. Text areas are often used for capturing detailed feedback, comments, descriptions, or other types of free-form text input.

• • Example: Provide a space for additional comments or notes related to a specific question or topic.
  • Example: Collect detailed descriptions of previous projects or accomplishments

Form Step Action: Form Step Actions, displayed as dots at the top of the screen, offer a visual representation of the steps within a form, guiding students through the form completion process. Each dot typically corresponds to a specific section or page of the form. As students progress through the form and complete each step, the corresponding dot is highlighted green. This visual indicator helps students track their progress and understand how much of the form is left to complete.

 

Cohort Application: The Cohort Application form field streamlines the application process by allowing students to apply for a specific Cohort directly from a Registration Form. Once a student selects a Cohort, the form reviewer can then review the application and make a decision on admission to that Cohort. 

Students will see Cohort Application options presented in a format similar to a Checkbox Group field:

Reviewers will have the opportunity to either accept or deny the student's application for each selected Cohort option:

• • Example: Incoming students have the option to choose a Cohort that matches their assigned residence hall or living community.
  • Example: Students can select a Cohort based on their academic program or major, ensuring they receive relevant information and resources related to their field of study.

Attribute Selection: The Attribute Selection form field allows you to include student attributes on a registration form. These attributes are pre-configured by the school and presented to students as a checklist of options. 

When students select an item, it associates that attribute with their profile. This field can be used to gather specific information about students or to categorize them based on certain criteria.

• • Example: Students can specify any accessibility needs they have, ensuring the school can provide appropriate accommodations.
  • Example: Students can indicate their military status, allowing your institution to tailor support services, resources, and communications to meet their unique needs.

Text Field: A text field form field is used when you want students to input short, alphanumeric text. It's ideal for collecting information like names, addresses, or other brief pieces of text. Text fields are versatile and can be used for various purposes where free-form text entry is required.

• • Example: Entering contact information such as address, email, or phone number.
  • Example: Providing the name of a school previously attended.

 

Cohort Auto Sorter: The Cohort Auto Sorter feature automatically assigns students to their chosen Cohort based on their selection. When configuring this form field, users have the option to link specific Cohorts to different choices. Unlike the Cohort Application option, the Cohort Auto Sorter does not require a form reviewer to approve or deny the student's admission to the Cohort. 

On the form, students will see the Cohort Auto Sorter displayed similarly to a Radio Group form field:

• • Example: Sorting students into Cohorts based on their academic interests or career goals.
  • Example: Sorting students into Cohort based on needs or requirements

 

Repeatable Field: A Repeatable Field allows users to add multiple instances of the same type of information. This is particularly useful when users need to provide multiple entries without creating separate form fields for each entry. Each added instance of the field would create a new text field for students to input their answers.

• • Example: Adding multiple entries for extracurricular activities or work experiences.
  • Example: Providing a list of academic achievements or awards.

Custom Paragraph: The Custom Paragraph form field is used to add formatted text, instructions, or important information within a form. This field allows you to customize the content's appearance and layout, providing additional context or guidance to users filling out the form. It is commonly used to clarify instructions, provide additional details, or present important information that users should be aware of before completing the form.

• • Example: Provide detailed instructions on how to complete the form, including specific requirements or guidelines for each section.
  • Example: Include statements regarding the institution's policies, such as privacy policies, code of conduct, or terms and conditions.

Phone & SMS Opt-in: When you include a Phone & SMS Opt-in form field, students will have the option to select opt in to text message communication and will be given a space to enter their telephone number.

• • Example: Providing a phone number for campus alerts or emergency notifications.
  • Example: Agreeing to receive phone calls for follow-up interviews or application status updates.

 

Customizing Form Fields

The form fields in our Registration Form builder function similarly to HTML form fields and offer various options to customize the appearance and functionality.

• Label
• Help Text
• Placeholder
• Class & Name
• Toggle
• Inline
• Display Group ID & Affected Display Group ID

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Label: The "Label" field is present in nearly all Registration Form fields. It represents the question or text that students will see when they fill out the form.

 

Help Text (optional): Help text can be added to form fields to assist students in answering questions or provide extra instructions or details for a particular form field. Help text will appear in italics under the associated question:


Fields in the Registration Form builder that include help text will have a "?" icon displayed. Hovering over this icon will allow you to view the associated help text:

Placeholder (optional): Placeholder text serves as a guide for users filling out the form by providing an example of the format expected for their answer. This text is displayed in the input space of the form field in the form builder. For example, the Text Field below prompts students to enter their email address. The placeholder text serves as an example of the expected format for the student's response:



The placeholder text is displayed in the form builder once you have finished editing the associated form field:

Class & Name: You may notice that some form fields have an option to enter a "Class" and a "Name". If you are new to using HTML form builders with Class and Name attributes, our team recommends leaving these input fields as they are. These attributes do not affect the form fields themselves and are primarily for backend customization. 

 

Toggle: By checking this box, you can choose to show the options for this form field as toggle options instead of checkboxes. This only changes how the form field appears in the form builder, and when students fill out the form, the field text and options will still be displayed as checkboxes.

 

Inline: Certain form fields give you the ability to display options side by side rather than in a vertical list. This will only alter how the options appear in the form builder and does not impact how the questions are presented to students.

Display Group ID & Affected Display Group ID: These fields are used for creating conditional questions in your Registration Form. The value of these fields in one question will be connected to another question within your registration form, triggering certain form fields to be displayed based on a selection made by the student. If you are not using conditional questions in your form, you can leave these fields blank.