> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://formhug.ai/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Text Fields

> Collect text-based responses

Text fields let you collect written responses from submitters, from short answers to longer paragraphs.

They are common in <a href="https://formhug.ai/templates/contact-us-form-template" target="_blank">contact forms</a>, <a href="https://formhug.ai/templates/client-intake-form" target="_blank">intake forms</a>, surveys, applications, and lead capture workflows. For longer-answer design, compare <a href="https://formhug.ai/blog/open-ended-survey-questions-examples" target="_blank">open-ended survey questions</a> and <a href="https://formhug.ai/blog/client-intake-software" target="_blank">client intake software</a>.

## Available Text Fields

| Field          | Description                  | Best For                           |
| -------------- | ---------------------------- | ---------------------------------- |
| **Short Text** | Single line of text          | Names, titles, brief answers       |
| **Long Text**  | Multi-line text area         | Comments, descriptions, feedback   |
| **URL**        | Website link with validation | Website addresses, social profiles |

## Short Text

Collect a single line of text response.

**Settings:**

* Placeholder text
* Character limit (min/max)
* Required toggle
* Format validation (regex)

**Common uses:**

* Names
* Job titles
* Short answers
* Reference numbers

## Long Text

Collect longer text responses like paragraphs or detailed answers.

**Settings:**

* Placeholder text
* Character limit (min/max)
* Required toggle
* Row height (how tall the input appears)

**Common uses:**

* Comments and feedback
* Descriptions
* Essay questions
* Detailed explanations

## URL

Collect and validate website URLs.

**Settings:**

* Placeholder text
* Required toggle
* Auto-validation for URL format

**Common uses:**

* Website addresses
* Portfolio links
* Social media profiles
* Reference links

## Text Field Settings

All text fields share these common settings:

### Validation

| Setting           | Description                 |
| ----------------- | --------------------------- |
| **Allowlist**     | Only accept specific values |
| **Blocklist**     | Reject specific values      |
| **Regex Pattern** | Custom format validation    |

### Display

| Setting           | Description                   |
| ----------------- | ----------------------------- |
| **Title**         | The question or label         |
| **Description**   | Helper text below the title   |
| **Placeholder**   | Example text inside the field |
| **Default Value** | Pre-filled text               |

### Behavior

| Setting           | Description                            |
| ----------------- | -------------------------------------- |
| **Required**      | Must be filled to submit               |
| **No Duplicates** | Prevent duplicate entries              |
| **Hidden**        | Collect data without showing the field |
| **Auto-fill**     | Pre-fill with last submission data     |

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Choice Fields" icon="list" href="/features/building/fields/choice-fields">
    Let submitters select options
  </Card>

  <Card title="Contact Fields" icon="address-card" href="/features/building/fields/contact-fields">
    Collect contact information
  </Card>

  <Card title="Contact Form Template" icon="envelope" href="https://formhug.ai/templates/contact-us-form-template" target="_blank">
    Use text fields for subject lines, messages, and short inquiries
  </Card>

  <Card title="Client Intake Template" icon="clipboard-list" href="https://formhug.ai/templates/client-intake-form" target="_blank">
    Collect detailed background and project information
  </Card>

  <Card title="Open-Ended Survey Questions" icon="book-open" href="https://formhug.ai/blog/open-ended-survey-questions-examples" target="_blank">
    Write long-text questions that invite useful responses
  </Card>
</CardGroup>