Question types

The catalog of form question types and which backing field types they're compatible with.

basic

A question type is the runtime widget a respondent interacts with. Each type binds to a specific backing-field type; the designer enforces compatibility.

Text input

Short text. One-line input. Compatible with text (varchar) fields. Settings: max length, placeholder, regex validation.
Long text. Multi-line text area. Compatible with text fields without a length cap.
Email. Short text with email validation. Compatible with text fields.
URL. Short text with URL validation. Compatible with text fields.

Numeric

Integer. Whole number input with up/down spinner. Compatible with integer and bigint.
Decimal. Floating-point input with configurable precision. Compatible with decimal, float, double.
Percent. Decimal with % suffix and 0-100 default constraint. Stored as 0-100 (not 0-1.0).
Currency. Decimal with a currency symbol prefix.

Date and time

Date. Calendar picker. Compatible with date.
Time. Clock picker. Compatible with time.
Datetime. Combined. Compatible with timestamp or timestamp with timezone.

Each of the three has a Default value in the designer's properties: None, or Current date and time (Today for a date). With it set, a new response opens with the moment the form was opened, in the respondent's local time, and the respondent can still change it. Editing an existing record in the field app keeps the record's own value.

Choice

Single select (dropdown). One option from a list. Compatible with text or pick-list-typed fields.
Single select (radio buttons). Same data shape; different widget. Use for short lists where one-click is faster than a dropdown.
Multi-select (checkboxes). Multiple values. Compatible with text-array fields or with a delimited-list convention.
Single select (autocomplete). For long lists (50+). Searchable; the data shape is the same as the dropdown.

Choice lists can be inline (defined per question) or reference a Pick list item (preferred for reusable vocabularies; see Pick list).

Spatial

Location (geopoint). Compatible with point geometry. The capture mode decides the control: - Auto (default): a "Capture location" GPS button plus a small map. Tap the map or drag the pin when you are reporting a spot you are not standing on, or have no GPS fix. - Map: the map only; tap or drag the pin. If the map cannot load (no WebGL, or the map library is blocked), the GPS button and latitude and longitude boxes appear instead. - GPS: the GPS button only, no map. - Manual: latitude and longitude boxes.
Draw line / polygon. A map with line/polygon draw tools. Compatible with line / polygon geometry.

File and media

Photo. Camera capture or upload. Stored as a feature attachment.
Audio. Microphone capture or upload.
Video. Camera capture or upload. Often size-capped per org settings.
Signature. Touch-pad signature capture. Stored as a PNG attachment: uploaded as soon as you stop signing when there is a connection, otherwise when the response syncs.
File. Any document upload (PDF, DOCX, etc.).

Special

Note. A non-input that displays helper text. Doesn't produce a stored value.
Calculate. A non-input that computes a value from other questions and stores it. Compatible with any field. Common use: a "completed_at" timestamp set to now() on submit.
Barcode. Camera-based barcode/QR scanner. Compatible with text fields.