JotForm A Comprehensive Guide

JotForm is a highly flexible form-building application. It is perfect for effectively gathering structured data with fields that include drag-and-drop form creation, multi-step customizations, and integration with other services. It is especially beneficial when rapid development, deployment, scalability, and non-technical user involvement are critical.

Many professionals and organizations in different fields would benefit from JotForm. Business people use it to generate leads from optimized forms placed on websites or distributed through email responses. HR teams might use it as an application form or to collect anonymous feedback. Developers and content managers value its API for incorporation into other digital contexts. It supports technical users who need to extend the platform and others who may not necessarily qualify for technical knowledge.

In the context of Sitecore, Optimizely, and Adobe Experience Manager (AEM), JotForm can supplement these robust content management systems. While these CMS platforms excel at delivering personalized, content-rich experiences, they often require additional tools for advanced form management. JotForm offers an easy solution for integrating different types of inputs, which can help feed the data to the CMS. For example, through JotForm's webhook or API interfaces, form submissions can easily be imported directly into xDB in Sitecore. Similarly, JotForm can collect data for A/B testing or campaign modification through Optimizely, which dovetails nicely with its excellent experimentation platform. JotForm can be incorporated into an AEM website using its iframe or JavaScript embed code. The completed questionnaires can then be transferred to a service backend managed by AEM for automatic processes or more detailed investigation.

Advanced integrations using JotForm APIs allow developers to automate the processes where, for example, the data that has been gathered is automatically transferred to the backend systems of the CMS, be it for the synchronization of the CRM, content delivery or segmentation of users. Such integration empowers organizations to keep all processes fluid in a manner where JotForm’s form-building features are still relevant. Thus, JotForm acts as an ancillary solution, enhancing the features catering to the needs of enterprise-level CMS systems while making form-filling easy for technical personnel and business people.

What is JotForm?

JotForm is an intuitive online form maker through which many forms can be built, even without prior coding experience. With its drag-and-drop functionality, users can get hold of any desired forms, whether they pertain to event registrations, customer feedback, or lead generation. Equally powerful, from templates and widgets to integrations, JotForm is hassle-free from the start until there is seamless flow into your already ongoing workways.

JotForm Key Features

User-Friendly Interface: One of JotForm's standout features is its user-friendly interface. The drag-and-drop functionality allows us to add multiple form elements, such as text fields, checkboxes, and dropdown menus, with just a few clicks without needing coding skills.

Options to Personalize: This feature offers a great degree of personalization, allowing users to make their forms representative of their brand identity. Users can change the color and font or add logos and images.

Mobile Responsiveness: Although it ensures that all forms are responsive by default, you can customize your CSS media queries on the Advanced Design panel.

Conditional Logic: You can create dynamic forms with Conditional Logic by showing or concealing questions based on the answers provided by your users for an enhanced user experience.

Integrations: It integrates seamlessly with various third-party applications, such as CRM systems, e-marketing apps, or cloud storage services. In such cases, the connectivity extends to keeping your data in perfect sync with your tools and saving time.

How to Create Your First Web Form

Sign Up or Log In: Create an account or log into your existing account.

Start a New Form: Click the "Create Form" button. You can start from scratch, use a template, or import an existing form.

Select a Form Layout: Choose between a classic form layout (single-page) or a card layout (one question per page) based on your preference.

Add Form Elements: Use the drag-and-drop interface to add text fields, checkboxes, and dropdowns. You can customize each element to suit your needs.

Configure Form Settings: You can adjust the form title, notifications, and thank-you messages. If necessary, you can also integrate the form with other applications.

Preview and Test: Before publishing, preview your form to ensure it looks and functions as intended. Then, test it to check for any issues.

Publish Your Form: Once satisfied, click the "Publish" button. Then,  you can share the form via a direct link, embed it on your website, or share it through social media.

Collect Responses: After publishing, you can start collecting responses. JotForm provides tools to view and manage submissions easily.

How to Open the Form Designer

JotForm’s Form Designer is a powerful tool that allows users to customize their forms to create visually appealing and user-friendly experiences. Select the paint roller icon in the upper-right corner of the Form Builder.

• In the right panel, use the navigation at the top to view related settings.

  

Here, you see options grouped in tabs for easy access:

• Color: Apply color schemes or add background images to your form. For more intricate designs, you can access the Advanced Designer to customize your form further.

• Style: Change the style, size, and spacing of form elements. You can also use custom CSS codes to fine-tune every detail of your form.

• Themes: Apply a theme to your form that suits your style.

• Layout: Change your form layout to Classic or Card anytime.

How to Inject Custom CSS

1. Enter your code under Inject Custom CSS. All changes are saved automatically.

   

2. CSS also can be injected on the Advanced Designer panel.

   

How to add conditional logic to your form

• In the Form Builder, go to Settings at the top.

• Select Conditions on the left.

  

• Choose and configure your desired conditional logic type

  

  

Embedding a Form Into a Web Page

After creating your form and setting up email alerts, you can now embed your form into your website.

• In the Form Builder, go to Publish at the top.

• Select Embed on the left.

  

• Copy the provided code and add it to your website.

  

• Preview your page.

  

• User Core Web Vitals chrome plugin to check how your form is ranked.

  

• If you want complete control, you can copy the source code form. The only recommendation is to do so once you finish configuring everything inside the JotForm platform. You can still change the HTML, CSS, and JS code on your local machine, but if you change something on JotForm, you must copy the code again.

  

• Copy to your HTML page.

  

• Check Core Web Vitals.

  

Third-party publish options

When creating and publishing forms using JotForm, several third-party publishing options are available. These options can help you reach a wider audience and collect responses more effectively.

How to Integrate Your Form With Google Drive

Google Drive is a great way to share files across devices. Integrating your form with Google Drive takes less than a minute. Once you complete the integration, a copy of the data and uploaded files will instantly be uploaded to your Google Drive when a form filler submits it.

• In the Form Builder, go to Settings at the top.

• Select Integrations on the left.

  

• Search and select Google Drive.

• For the initial setup, select Authenticate and connect your Google Drive account. In the authentication dialog, grant the file access permission.

  

• Next, enter your desired folder name.

• Turn on Create a subfolder for each submission if needed. Enter your desired subfolder name or select Form Fields to dynamically create folders.

  

• Choose the PDF document to use. To rename your PDF, see How to Assign a Custom File Name to Your PDF Report.

• If your form accepts file uploads, you can send the uploaded files to your Google Drive.

• Select Save at the bottom when finished.

• Your form is now connected to Google Drive. Follow the link to open your folder or use the icons in the upper-right corner to view options.

  

• Once you fulfill your form and hit send, a “Thank you“ message will appear.

  

• Your submitted data will be stored in your Google Drive folder.

  

  

Form Calculation: Math Function Reference

Mathematical and date and time functions are available in the Form Calculation widget and Update/Calculate Field conditional logic. You can use this guide as your reference to build perfect calculation forms.

To use math functions in Form Calculation or Update/Calculate Field.

In this two-dropdown example, its options have a predefined value according to the option selected on both. The values will be summed.

Then, a calculation field must be added from the left panel. Choose Widgets, Form Calculation, and drag and drop it into the form.

Click on the field and then click on the Configuration gear to configure the look and feel.

Click on the Magic Wand to add the calculation. In this example, choose the two field needs and select the function needed.

Calculation results

First item value 10 + second item value 30 = 40

Conclusion

Jotform is not just another form builder; it's a multifunctional business tool. It helps organizations streamline operations, improve user interactions, and achieve their goals without hassle. With its straightforward interface and ability to integrate with other systems, Jotform is a fantastic option for anyone looking to gather and manage data, regardless of sector.

By utilizing Jotform, businesses and individuals can lower development expenses, enhance data accuracy, and automate tedious workflows, ultimately saving time and money. Whether you're coordinating event registrations, managing payments, or collecting customer feedback, Jotform offers a secure and scalable platform that meets your needs. It's like having a dependable ally that adjusts to any situation, making it a vital asset in the modern digital toolkit.