Formidable Forms is one of my favorite WordPress plugins to easily create advanced forms, calculators, and quizzes. If you aren’t using it, jump onboard and follow my guide to get started with a few of the basic basic forms available with Formidable Forms.
Install a WordPress Form Plugin
Go to your WordPress Dashboard and select “Plugins” → “Add New.” Search for ‘Formidable Forms,’ click “Install,” and then “Activate.”
After activation, you’ll see a new “Formidable” tab in the sidebar.
Create a New Form
In the Formidable Forms menu, click ‘Add New.’ Choose between a blank form or a pre-designed template.
The form builder interface allows you to design your form using drag-and-drop functionality. Drag fields from the left-hand pane and place them in your form workspace.
Click on any field to adjust its settings in the sidebar. Change field labels, add placeholder text, or make certain fields required.
You can also apply conditional logic to make your form more dynamic, such as showing or hiding fields based on user responses.
Once satisfied, save your work by clicking “Create” or “Update.”
Add Form Fields
Using the drag-and-drop form builder, add key fields to your form. Here are some common field types:
- Single Line Text: for names or short responses
- Email Address: for collecting email addresses
- Paragraph Text: for longer, detailed inputs
Customize your fields by clicking on them to access options in the sidebar. Set labels, placeholder texts, and parameters. For example, change the “Single Line Text” field label to “Full Name” for clarity.
Explore conditional logic to create forms that respond dynamically to user inputs. For instance, you might want additional questions to appear only when a specific option is selected in a dropdown field.
Adjust and refine your form until it meets your requirements. You can easily make future changes to keep your forms current and effective.
Publish the Form
Choose the page or post where you want your form to appear. In your WordPress dashboard, select the “Pages” or “Posts” section, then click “Add New” or edit an existing page or post.
For modern WordPress editors, use the “Formidable” block:
- In the content area, click the “+” button to add a new block
- Search for “Formidable” and select the “Formidable Form” block
- Choose your form from the dropdown list to embed it
If using the Classic editor, use the shortcode method:
- In the Formidable Forms dashboard, click the “Settings” tab above the form builder
- Find the form’s shortcode
- Copy and paste this shortcode into your page or post where you want the form to display
Preview the page to check how your form looks within the content. If satisfied, click “Publish” or “Update” to make your form live.
Creating a form with Formidable Forms is straightforward. Follow these steps to have a functional form ready quickly. With its powerful features like AI-powered responses and dynamic field relationships, Formidable Forms allows you to create engaging and intelligent forms for various purposes, from simple contact forms to complex surveys and calculators.
- Kay M. Gravity Forms’ Investments in Web Accessibility Are Paying Dividends. WPTavern. 2021.
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