Overview

This article shows Program Admins how to edit form field types, and the different configuration options available for each type. 

Note: Not all field types are available on every form.  

Address

The Address field is designed to add a set of input fields that relate to a physical address.

The Address field provides input fields for:

• Country
• Address Line 1
• Address Line 2
• City
• State/Province/Region
• Postal/Zip Code

Each of the input fields in an Address field is configured for a specific type of data or piece of information, and each can be toggled on or off, marked as required, or hidden from the applicant.

Calculated Value Field

The Calculated Value Field has its own document due to its complexity.  Please see the Calculated Value Fields article for more information.

Contacts

The Contacts field adds a set of input fields that are generally needed when an applicant is providing third-party references.

The Contacts field provides input fields for:

• First Name
• Last Name
• Role or Title
• Email Address
• Phone Number

Each of the input fields in a Contacts field is configured for a specific type of data or piece of information, and each can be toggled on or off, marked as required, or hidden from the applicant.

Further, parameters about the minimum and maximum number of contacts (up to ten) an applicant needs to provide, can be set.

Date

The Date field captures a specific date or date range as input by the applicant.  It does not automatically fill in on behalf of the applicant. 

Configuration options for the Date field:

• Require the field or make it optional
• Hide the field or make it visible
• Set up as a single date or as a date range
• Date component options include:
  • Month, day, year
  • Month, year
  • Year
• The earliest possible date allowable
• The latest possible date allowable

EIN

The EIN field is a single field set up to capture an Employer Identification Number in cases where it is needed.  The only configuration options for this field are making it required or hiding it.

Email Address

The Email Address field is a single field set up to capture email addresses.  The only configuration options for this field are making it required or hiding it.

Gender

The Gender field is set up to capture commonly requested gender information. 

Configuration options for the Gender field:

• Require the field or make it optional
• Hide the field or make it visible
• Allow applicants to select more than one gender option
• Allow applicants to create custom gender options
• Customize the options that appear in the dropdown list

Global Fields

Global Fields allow you to create reusable data fields that can be used across multiple forms and programs within your organization, ensuring data consistency and enabling cross-program reporting.

Please see the Creating Global Fields for more information.

Heading

The Heading field is a presentational field and has no configuration options.  The text is editable to create the desired heading.

Likert Scale

The Likert Scale field is used when a program solicits input from applicants asking about their attitudes or opinions on a specific topic, question, or prompt.  

Configuration options for the Likert Scale field:

• Require the field or make it optional
• Hide the field or make it visible
• Select a preset range of responses
• Create a matrix of Likert Scale responses
  • A matrix is ideal when multiple questions share the same set of response options (e.g., Strongly Disagree to Strongly Agree). It groups related questions into a single, compact table format, making it faster and easier for applicants to complete.
  • Add labels to each Likert Scale in the matrix
  • Unable to add a calculation to matrix
• Add calculated values for the list options (non-matrix only)
  • Designate the value for each list option
  • Assign an alias to the Likert Scale field to identify it when setting up a calculation
  • For more information about calculations, please see the article on the Calculation Field.

Long Answer

The Long Answer field is used when a longer, more detailed reply is needed from the applicant in response to the field prompt.  The desired input from the applicant could be multiple sentences or entire paragraphs.

Configuration options for the Long Answer field:

• Require the field or make it optional
• Hide the field or make it visible
• Set a minimum number of words required in the response
• Set a maximum number of words allowed in the response

Masked Field 

The Masked Field is an advanced field that collects sensitive information that should remain private, such as a Social Security Number (SSN) or Social Insurance Number (SIN). Values are hidden with asterisks as the applicant types and are securely stored so no one can read them. See Masked Field for more information. 

Media

The Media field is a presentational field and is designed to allow program administrators to add an audio file, image, or video file to the form.

Configuration options for the Media field:

• Upload the desired media file
• Set the alt text for the media file
• Change the media size

Multi-Select

The Multi-Select field provides a way for applicants to choose more than one option in a given list.

Configuration options for the Multi-Select field:

• Mark as Required: Toggle to Yes to require applicants to complete this field before submitting.
• Hide Field: Toggle to Yes to hide the field from applicants without removing it from the form.
• Make Read Only: Toggle to Yes to make the field visible to applicants but prevent them from editing it.
• Choose the best format to display this field: Select how options appear to applicants:
  • Toggle Buttons: Ideal for 1–2 word options.
  • Checkboxes: Ideal for phrase or sentence-length options.
  • Dropdown List: Ideal for longer lists of options.
• Sort options alphabetically: Toggle to Yes to automatically reorder options A–Z. Options cannot be moved manually when this is on. Toggle back to No to manually reorder. 
• Add a label for each option: Enter the display text for each option. Click + Add New Option to add more.
• Add calculation values for the options: Toggle to Yes to assign a numeric value to each option for use in a Calculated Value Field.
  • For more information about calculations, please see ➡️ Calculated Value Fields.
• Set a maximum number of choices allowed: Enter the maximum number of options an applicant can select.
• Alias: Enter a short name to identify this field when building a calculation.

Name

The Name field adds a set of input fields to capture the details of a name.

The Name field provides input fields for:

• A name prefix
• First Name
• Middle Name or Initial
• Last Name
• A name suffix

Each of the input fields in a Names field is configured for a specific type of data or piece of information, and each can be toggled on or off, marked as required, or hidden from the applicant.

Numbers

The Numbers field is specifically designed to capture three general number formats:

• Generic numbers (with commas where appropriate)
• Percentage
• Currency
  • Currency types are available as well

Other configuration options for the Numbers field include:

• Require the field or make it optional
• Hide the field or make it visible
• Add decimal places to the number
• Set a minimum value for the number
• Set a maximum value for the number
• Specify the width of the Numbers field box in relation to the applicant’s screen when viewing the form
• Assign an alias to the Multi-Select field to identify it when setting up a calculation

For more information about calculations, please see the article on the Calculation Field.

Numeric Slider (Score)

The Numeric Slider field provides a numeric input for applicants within a set range, represented by a sliding marker.

Configuration options for the Numeric Slider field:

• Require the field or make it optional
• Hide the field or make it visible
• Set a minimum number on the slider
• Set a maximum number on the slider
• Assign an alias to the Multi-Select field to identify it when setting up a calculation

For more information about calculations, please see the article on the Calculation Field.

Labels for the minimum and maximum values on the Numeric Slider are editable within the form field itself.

Presentational Text

The Presentational Text field is a presentational field and has no configuration options.  The text is editable to create the desired display text.

Single-Select

The Single-Select field provides a way for applicants to choose a single option in a given list.

Configuration options for the Single-Select field include:

• Mark as Required: Toggle to Yes to require applicants to complete this field before submitting. 
• Hide Field: Toggle to Yes to hide the field from applicants without removing it from the form. 
• Make Read Only: Toggle to Yes to make the field visible to applicants but prevent them from editing it. 
• Choose the best format to display this field: Select how options appear to applicants:
  • Segmented Control: Ideal for 1–2 word options. Supports up to 5 options.
  • Radio Buttons: Ideal for phrase or sentence-length options, or lists of 5–7 options.
  • Dropdown List: Ideal for longer lists of options.
• Sort options alphabetically: Toggle to Yes to automatically reorder options A–Z. Options cannot be moved manually when this is on. Toggle back to No to manually reorder. 
• Add a label for each option: Enter the display text for each option. Click + Add New Option to add more.
• Add calculation values for the options: Toggle to Yes to assign a numeric value to each option for use in a Calculated Value Field. 
  • For more information about calculations, please see ➡️ Calculated Value Fields.
• Alias: Enter a short name to identify this field when building a calculation.

⚠️ IMPORTANT: If you plan to sort applications into review groups based on how applicants answer a form field, that field must be Single-Select. No other field type supports this feature. Keep this in mind when setting up this field. See ➡️Creating Review Groups in a Review Round for more information.

Short Answer

The Short Answer field is used when a few words or a short sentence or two is needed from the applicant in response to the field prompt.

Configuration options for the Short Answer field:

• Require the field or make it optional
• Hide the field or make it visible
• Set a maximum number of characters allowed in the response
• Specify the width of the Short Answer field box in relation to the applicant’s screen when viewing the form

Table

The Table field enables organizations to include fillable tables with spreadsheet-like functionality in their forms. Tables can include formulas such as SUM or ROUND that automatically calculate as applicants enter data, making them ideal for budget tracking and measurable outcomes.

Please see the Using the Table Form Field article for more information.

UEI 

The UEI (Unique Entity Identifier) is a 12-character code that SAM.gov uses to identify organizations receiving federal grants and contracts. In Next, it is automatically added to an Organization Profile form when SAM.gov compliance checks are enabled, and helps drive automated compliance validation.

Configuration options for the UEI field include:

• Mark as Required: Toggle to Yes to require applicants to complete this field before submitting. 
• Hide Field: Toggle to Yes to hide the field from applicants without removing it from the form. 
• Make Read Only: Toggle to Yes to make the field visible to applicants but prevent them from editing it. 

Upload

The Upload field provides a way for applicants to upload attachments or files to their form.  The configuration options for this field include marking it as required, hiding the field, and setting the maximum number of uploaded files (up to ten). 

💡Tips for Uploading Files: 

• There are no file size or file type restrictions. 
• Large files, such as high-resolution videos or image-heavy PDFs, can take a long time for applicants to upload and for reviewers to load, and may cause issues with PDF exports of the application. 
• If your program requires specific file types or sizes, add guidance in the field description to help applicants submit files that are easier to review.

Vote

The Vote field is used when binary feedback or input is requested from the applicant.

Configuration options for the Vote field:

• Require the field or make it optional
• Hide the field or make it visible
• Edit the “Yes” label as needed
• Edit the “No” label as needed

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