> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.informationhub.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.informationhub.io/project/forms/create-form.md).
# Create a Form
This page walks you through creating a new form in your project and building it out with sections and questions.
## Step 1 - Create the form
1. Open your project and click **Forms** in the project sidebar.
2. Click the **Create Form** button in the top-right corner.
3. Enter a **name** for your form (3 to 64 characters).
4. Select the **Form Type**:
* **Insert** - the default type. Each submission creates a new row in the linked table. Use this for collecting new observations, records, or entries.
* **Update** - each submission edits an existing row in a linked table. When you choose Update, you must also select the **table** to update and tick the **columns** you want the form to be able to edit.
5. Click **Create**.
Creating a new form
The form builder opens. You will see an empty form with the name you chose as the header.
{% hint style="info" %}
For Update-type forms, the table picker and column checklist appear as soon as you select "Update". Tick only the columns you want respondents to be able to change.
{% endhint %}
## Step 2 - Add sections
Forms are organised into **sections**. Each section can contain one or more questions. Sections help you group related questions together and make longer forms easier to navigate.
1. Click **CLICK HERE TO ADD A NEW SECTION** at the bottom of the page to add your first section.
2. Click the **section name** to enter inline edit mode - type a name (e.g. "Observation Details") and click **Save** to confirm, or **Delete** to remove the section entirely.
The form builder in edit mode
## Step 3 - Add questions
To add a question within a section:
1. Click **CLICK HERE TO ADD A QUESTION** inside the section.
2. Click the question name to enter edit mode and type your question label - this is what the person filling in the form will see.
3. Choose a **question type** from the Type dropdown (see [Question Types](/project/forms/question-types.md) for the full list).
4. Click **Save to table** to choose the table this question's answer will be stored in. If the table you need does not exist yet, click **Create Table** in the picker to create one without leaving the form builder.
5. Click **Save to column** to choose the specific column. If the column does not exist, click **Create column** in the picker to add a new column to the linked table.
6. Click **Save** to save the question, or **Delete** to remove it.
## Configuring question properties
Each question has a set of toggles and settings you can adjust:
* **Required** - makes the question mandatory. The form cannot be submitted without an answer.
* **Hidden** - hides the question from the person filling in the form. Useful for metadata or default values.
* **Locked** - prevents respondents from changing the pre-filled value. Use this when you want to display information without letting the respondent edit it.
### Expanded configuration panel
Click the **cog icon** on a question card to open its expanded configuration panel. This gives you access to:
* **URL Query Param Key** - if you set a key here, the field will be pre-filled automatically when the form URL includes a matching query parameter (e.g. `?site=plot-42`).
* **Default value** - a value that is pre-filled when the form loads, which the respondent can then change (unless the question is Locked).
* **Icon Type** - selects the icon shown alongside this question in "Icons and Text" layout forms. Options include Camera, Video, Text, Audio, Location, Help, Tag, Paperclip, Split, and Merge.
* **Icon Text** - the label shown next to the icon in icon-layout forms.
### Short text question - extra options
Short text questions have additional length controls in the expanded panel:
* **Min length / Max length** - restricts the number of characters allowed.
* **Min words / Max words** - restricts the number of words allowed.
### Dropdown, Multi-Radio, and Multi-Checkbox questions - options list
For these question types, you manage the list of available choices directly in the question card:
* Click an option label to edit its text inline.
* Click **Remove** next to an option to delete it.
* Drag the reorder handle to change the order of options.
* Click **Add Option** (or **Add Multi-Option**) to add a new blank option.
* For Dropdown questions only, toggle **Allow new items** to let respondents type a custom value that is not in the predefined list.
## Reordering sections and questions
To reorder sections or questions after you have built the form, use the **Reordering** card in Form Settings (see [Form Settings](/project/forms/form-settings.md)).
---
# Agent Instructions
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## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.
Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:
```
GET https://docs.informationhub.io/project/forms/create-form.md?ask=&goal=
```
`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.
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Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.