How to Show or Hide Single or Multiple Select Options Based on a Previous Answer

Jotform’s Update Options condition lets you change the available options in Dropdown, Single Choice, and Multiple Choice fields using conditional logic. While you can use multiple fields with Show/Hide Field conditions to display different sets of options, Update Options lets you change the choices within a single field based on a respondent’s answer. This helps you keep your forms organized and relevant by showing choices that match each respondent’s input, such as specific products, services, locations, or other related options.

You can easily set up the Update Options condition in a few steps. Here’s what to do:

1. In Form Builder, in the orange navigation bar at the top of the page, click on Settings.

2. Then, in the menu on the left side of the page, click on Conditions.
3. If your form has an existing condition, first click on Add Condition under the Conditions tab on the right.

4. In the New Conditions section, select Update Options.

5. Then, in the Update Options section, configure these fields to set an If rule for your condition:
   • IF — Click on the Downward Arrow icon and in the Dropdown menu, select the form field you want the condition to check. You can use the Search bar at the top of the menu to find a field easily.
   • STATE — Click on the Downward Arrow icon and in the Dropdown menu, select how the condition should check the field you chose. You can use the Search bar at the top of the menu to find an option easily.
   • TARGET — This is only available for fields with states other than Is Empty, Is Filled, Is Equal To, and Is Not Equal To. Click on the Downward Arrow icon and in the Dropdown menu, select whether to compare the field you chose with a specific value or another field.
   • VALUE — This is only shown when Value is selected as the target. Enter or select the value you want to compare with the field you chose.

6. If you select Another Field as the target, click on the Downward Arrow icon on the right side of Field and in the Dropdown menu, select the field you want to compare with the one the condition checks. You can use the Search bar at the top of the menu to find a field easily.
7. To add another If rule, click on the Plus icon on the right side of the rule you’ve set up.

8. Then, to make the condition trigger only when every If rule is met instead of at least one, click on the Downward Arrow icon below the If rules and in the Dropdown menu, select All.

9. Now, on the right side of Do, click on the Downward Arrow icon and in the Dropdown menu, select Show Options or Hide Options.

10. Next, on the right side of Field, click on the Downward Arrow icon and in the Dropdown menu, select the field with the options you want to update when the condition is met. You can use the Search bar at the top of the menu to find a field easily.

11. Then, on the right side of Options, click on the Downward Arrow icon and in the Dropdown menu, tick the boxes next to the options you want to show or hide. You can use the Search bar at the top of the menu to find an option easily.
12. To add another action, click on the Plus icon on the right side of the action you’ve set up.

13. Once everything’s set, click on Save.

That’s it! You’ve successfully set up the Update Options condition on your form.

Now, a field in your form can show different options based on what respondents select in another field. Curious how it works on a live form? Check out this demo form.