can I set up a form that saves info in case the respondent cannot complete it all in one sitting?

  • jekress
    Asked on November 28, 2016 at 11:55 AM

    If one is completing a form, gets half-way through and then must continue later, is there a way for the responses to be saved so the respondent can complete the survey at a later time?

  • David JotForm Support
    Replied on November 28, 2016 at 12:34 PM

    There are a couple ways to allow for saving partially completed forms and allowing for users to return to the form to complete it at a later date. 

    The first, more complex method, requires two forms and a Page Break in order for it to work, and as a matter of fact our session system will not be able to handle a large amount of records in drop down menus. So please be aware of it, before to implement this method.

    https://www.jotform.com/help/97-How-to-Save-Forms-and-Continue-Later

    The second method only requires setting up an autoresponder email and including an edit submission link:

    https://www.jotform.com/help/40-How-to-Let-Users-Update-Their-Form-Submissions-at-a-Later-Date

    This will allow users to partially complete a form, submit the form, then return to their specific submission to update it at a later time.

  • jekress
    Replied on November 28, 2016 at 3:44 PM
    Thanks, I will look into these.
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Jeffrey S. Kress, Ph.D.
    *Dr. Bernard Heller Associate Professor of Jewish Education*
    Wm. Davidson Graduate School of Jewish Education
    Jewish Theological Seminary
    3080 Broadway
    New York, NY 10027
    212 678 8920
    fax: 212 749 9085
    *New updated website: jeffreykress.net *
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    ...
  • jekress
    Replied on November 28, 2016 at 3:44 PM
    I noticed an option for "continue forms later." Will this allow users to
    stop in the middle and continue later?
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Jeffrey S. Kress, Ph.D.
    *Dr. Bernard Heller Associate Professor of Jewish Education*
    Wm. Davidson Graduate School of Jewish Education
    Jewish Theological Seminary
    3080 Broadway
    New York, NY 10027
    212 678 8920
    fax: 212 749 9085
    *New updated website: jeffreykress.net *
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    ...
  • David JotForm Support
    Replied on November 28, 2016 at 4:59 PM

    The "Continue Forms Later" option stores current form data in the browser locally.  This is a great option for short term save and continue.  Though, this is the least robust version of save and continue:

    https://www.jotform.com/help/227-How-to-Enable-Auto-Fill-on-Forms

    The user will only be able to continue the form from same the device and browser from which they started.  If the browser is cleared, the data will no longer be saved.  Form data will also remain in the form for other users until cleared or the form is submitted.  This may be a privacy issue if forms are being used on devices being accessed by multiple users.