Create a Multi-Part Form

In this article, we will go over how you can create a multi-part form for you end users to submit for a more user friendly experience.

Scenario

You want your users to be able to fill out a form in a step-by-step manner, with each step on a separate page.

Here are a few common scenarios where this approach can be useful:

• Quizzes

• Surveys

• Job Applications

In this example, we will explore the creation of a multi-part form that empowers users to effortlessly complete an online application with multiple sections.

Requirements

If this your first time creating an app, you'll need to know some basics about adding tables, fields, pages, and views. You can read more on getting started with Knack here: Builder Basics section. 

Other good resources can be found in our About Your Database and Working With Pages sections of the knowledge base.

Steps

Define the Application Table

Create a table called "Applications" in the Data section of the Builder to store the application details that your users will submit.

Create Part One

1. In the Pages section of the Builder, simply add a new page with a Form for adding a new Application:
   
2. Customize the form to display only the specific fields you wish to include in the first part of the application.

Redirect to the Next Part

Include a Submit Rule that will redirect the form to a new child page, allowing you to add a second form to edit the same application record.

Create Part Two

1. Customize the second page by adding the fields that you want to include in the next part of the form.
2. Add a Record Rule to the form so that with every submission the Application Date is set to the current date.

Conclusion

Now, you have a form with two parts. Once your users submit part one (the first form), they will be redirected to part two (the second edit form).

If you want to include additional sections in your form, simply follow the steps above again until your form has the desired number of parts.

Optional Features

Adding a Confirmation Message

If you'd like to provide applicants with a message after they submit the final part of the form, simply edit the last form and go to the Form Rules section. Then, under the Submit Rules tab, select "Show a confirmation message".

You can customize the text for the confirmation message for when the final form is submitted.

Sending Emails

To notify the hiring manager, the end user, or anyone else when a new Application is submitted, simply edit the final form and navigate to the Emails section. From there, click on the "Add email" button.

To personalize the email, click on the green "+" button in the Send section of this rule and add more recipients.

Submit Button Text

By customizing the text on the Submit buttons, you have the opportunity to provide clear guidance to your users as they navigate through each step of the form.

To provide a more user-friendly experience, consider using "Save & Continue" instead of "Submit" for all form parts, except the last one. To make this change, navigate to the Settings section of the Form view and modify the text in the "Submit Button Text" input: