If you’ve ever built a form in iFormBuilder, you know just how flexible and powerful the platform can be. But did you know that iFormBuilder offers over 35 unique form building elements? Whether you’re designing a simple checklist or a complex data collection form, choosing the right elements is key to ensuring accuracy, efficiency, and ease of use.
Let’s take a closer look at the different categories of elements available in iFormBuilder to help you make the most of your forms.
1. Standard Elements
Standard elements mirror traditional pen-and-paper fields, making them intuitive and familiar. These elements are perfect for collecting everyday data and help standardize information such as time, date, or numbers.
Examples include:
- Counter
- Date / Time / Date-Time
- Number / Range
- Text / Text Area
- Toggle
- Signature
- Timer
- Read-only
These elements form the core of most data collection needs and make organizing your form easy.
2. Enhancement Elements
Enhancement elements take advantage of mobile technology, offering features that paper forms simply can’t. These elements are designed to streamline workflows and expand data collection capabilities.
Examples include:
- Location (GPS)
- Drawing
- Multi-photo
- Subform
- ESRI Integration
- HTTP Request
- Sound Recording
With enhancement elements, you can collect rich, interactive data in real-time, directly from the field.
3. Option-Based Elements
When you need to limit responses and improve consistency, option-based elements are your best friend. These use predefined option lists, ensuring users select from controlled sets of answers.
Examples include:
- Multi-select
- Pick List
- Select
They’re perfect for surveys, compliance forms, or anytime you want to minimize manual input and errors.
4. Masking Elements
Masking elements guide users to enter data in a specific format, reducing errors and standardizing responses. You can customize the mask to match the exact input format needed.
Examples include:
- Phone Number
- Social Security Number
- Zip Code
This is ideal for forms that require structured, regulated inputs like contact info or IDs.
5. Scanning and Hardware Elements
Take data collection to the next level by integrating with external hardware or using built-in device capabilities. Scanning and hardware elements allow users to quickly capture and record information using scanners or temperature probes.
Examples include:
- Barcode Scanner
- Temperature Probe
These tools are great for industries requiring quick, specialized data input.
6. Appearance Elements
Sometimes, it’s not about collecting data, but about guiding the user. Appearance elements let you add visual and textual cues to improve form layout and usability.
Examples include:
- Divider
- Image Label
- Label
Use dividers to organize sections, image labels for visuals like logos or diagrams, and labels for helpful instructions or notes.
Form Building Made Easy
With so many elements to choose from, iFormBuilder gives you the power to design forms that are not just functional, but smart and intuitive. Whether you’re collecting field data, performing inspections, or building customer-facing surveys, there’s an element for every scenario.
Want help deciding which element fits your needs best? Reach out to your Customer Success Manager or email our sales team: sales (@) zerionsoftware.com.
