Conditional Logic for Online Forms

May 8, 2023

What’s a Smart Form?

In the most basic sense, smart forms are dynamic. Instead of static words on a screen, smart forms can change based on how a user answers a question using conditional logic. Want to segment questions to different types of users? Perform complex calculations? Smart forms get the job done.

What is conditional logic?

Conditional logic is rooted in Greek philosophy and essentially uses an IF/THEN conditional statement to determine an outcome. Conditional logic in its modern iteration essentially automates changes based on a user’s input. The If statement is the trigger and the Then statement is the result. It has since evolved into a framework used to automate workflows. When you apply that reasoning to a form, you can use one answer as a trigger and another answer as a result to get your desired outcome. In the case of conditional logic for forms, you can use them to perform calculations, customize a thank you page, and show or hide certain answers.

When is conditional logic needed most?

Conditional logic is needed most when you or your organization is getting bogged down by manual tasks. Or when you find yourself wasting time with manual entry tasks, such as calculations or data entry. Haven’t we all experienced frustration filling out a form and having to answer questions that don’t apply to you? Conditional logic will save your users from having to answer an overwhelming amount of questions that don’t apply to them.

Why is conditional logic so important and time saving?

Cuts out user error, and automates tasks so people can focus on expanding the business

Here are some scenarios where conditional logic could come in handy:

  • Sending emails to different addresses according to user answers
  • Showing additional questions when a user chooses a specific answer
  • Skipping pages in a multipage survey depending on user answers
  • Offering different PDF downloads depending on the user’s choice
  • Showing a different Thank-You message based on user answers to a quiz
  • Password protecting a form
  • Not showing the submit button until the user makes a particular choice

Sign up for Jotform so you can create smart forms.

How Do I Set Up Conditions on My Forms?

Just follow the “Conditional Logic Wizard” to smarten up your form.

Access the Conditional Logic Wizard

Go to the Settings tab in the Form Builder, then click Conditions on the left.

form-builder-conditions-min

Select the condition you need.

What Each Conditional Logic Option Does

Show/Hide Field

The show/hide field option uses an if-do condition to show or hide different fields based on an answer to a previous question. For example, if you would only like an email field to show on a form if the user has selected ‘yes’ to the question ‘would you like us to contact you?’ you can set up a show/hide field based on a user’s answer.

show-hide-field-option-min

Here are some guides related to this function:

Update/Calculate Field

You can create conditional logic rules to perform calculations.

update-calculate-field-option-min

Let’s say you want to add values from two different fields and have the solution appear in a text box labeled “Total”. You can specify the fields to be added and when they should be added.

Check out the guides below to learn more about this conditional logic option:

Enable/Require Field

This option allows you to set a form field as required or not required depending on the user’s input.

enable-require-field-option-min

You can also enable or disable form fields. This option can be used to conditionally set or change a field’s Content Mask. The Content Mask helps users enter data by ensuring a predefined format, such as an international phone number, will be followed.

Here are some guides related to this conditional logic option:

Skip To/Hide a Page

It is also called skip logic. It allows you to skip or hide pages based on a user’s answers.

skip-to-hide-page-option-min

You can ask additional questions on a new page or simply end the form.

Below is a guide with more details on how to use this feature: How to Skip Pages Using Conditional Logic

Change “Thank You” Page

In this option, you can redirect to a different Thank You page according to the form submission.

change-thank-you-page-option-min

Let’s say you list your white papers in a dropdown list and prompt the user to select one. After the form is submitted, the user will be redirected to the white paper they selected.

You can also display a customized Thank You page according to the form response. If your form is a quiz and the user’s responses for the quiz are not correct, it might be useful to provide the answers or additional resources on the next page.

Here are some guides that might help you with this feature:

Change E-mail Recipient

Send different email alerts based on your users’ responses.

change-email-recipient-min

Let’s say you have a dropdown field with options like “Sales”, “Support”, etc. – you can set it that if the user selects “Sales”, an email alert will be sent to the sales department.

Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to set up email alerts with conditions: How to Send Email Based on a User’s Answer

Setting up a Condition

The next screen after selecting a Conditional Logic option is a dynamic form. The fields you’ve added and the choices you have set determine the if-then statement.

Conditional Logic for Online Forms Image-1
Conditional Logic for Online Forms Image-2
Conditional Logic for Online Forms Image-3

Once you complete a condition, save and test your interactive form. Make sure that the condition is working properly before adding more conditions or your smart form will turn out to be not so smart.

How’d you do? Did you have any difficulties understanding this guide? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below.

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