Gravity Forms Tutorial – Field Types

by Laura Hartwig
newly updated 7/1/2013

Gravity Forms can be used for so much more than simple contact forms! It offers quite a few different options for form fields including ways to allow users to submit post entries or to set up a shopping cart. Here are samples of all the field types along with information about their use:

Step 1 of 5 - Standard Fields

This handy progress bar above appears automatically when you enable paging with the "Page Break" field. When you select the Page Break field, you can select to use the bar, steps, or none. You can also select the which style of bar you would like to use. The one above is the default blue bar. You can also choose the custom option to choose your own text and background color. You can also create custom "Next" buttons and give each page a name.
Single Line Text
*Passwords You know how when you enter a password, your typing is protected by those dots or asterisks? Ever wonder how to ask people to choose a password with Gravity Forms and keep it hidden like that? The trick is to use the single line text field and under the advanced tab, just check the "Enable Password Inut" box. So simple!

*Using masks This simple "Single Line Text" can be used for quite a few things by checking the "input mask" option. When you use a generic label, it's hard to guarantee getting the information you need in the format that you want it. But you can use an input mask to help your customers understand just what you need. With the mask, there are already options formatted for US Phone, US Phone + ext, Date, Tax ID, SSN, Zip Code, and Full Zip Code, but you can also create your own custom mask. Below I have used it as a SSN.
Using Masks - SSN
Paragraph Text
Drop Down
Multi Select
Number
Please enter a number from 5 to 9.
Using the "Range" setting here doesn't change the numbers the user is allowed to input, but give a notice you will see just above here that tells what numbers are appropriate and then will require that the value entered by the user must fall within this range. The "Number Format" can also be used to allow decimals.
also allows you to use previous answers to calculate this number - a very nice capability!
Checkboxes
- First Choice
- Second Choice
- Third Choice
Checking a box in the form properties allows a box to be automatically checked. People can check more than one box.
Radio Buttons
- First Choice
- Second Choice
- Third Choice
Option for "other" choice that includes a box for a text answer as shown above. This type of field allows only one answer. To allow multiple answers, use the check boxes or the multi-select drop down fields.
This is the HTML block. You can use it to type anything. I have added a border to help it stand out.

Although you can't see it, right above this is the "Hidden Field" box where you can add something that can be seen when submitted, but is not shown to the customer.

Below this you will see I have added a section break and a page break. This allows you to produce multi-paged forms.
Section Break