Penneo Collect includes powerful features that make forms dynamic and adaptive, improving both efficiency for the form creator and the experience for the respondent. This article covers the Advanced Form Logic and Dynamic Signing capabilities available in the Form Builder.
Conditional logic and display rules
You can configure conditional logic (rules) to determine when specific form fields or entire sections are shown to the end-user. This allows you to create dynamic forms that change based on previous answers, preventing irrelevant questions from appearing and simplifying the submission process for the client.
Step-by-Step Configuration Guide
To build conditional logic efficiently, follow this example workflow (illustrated using a common "Rental Application" scenario):
- Add the trigger element: First, add the field that will act as the trigger for the logic. For example, add a Multiple choice element asking, "What is your marital status?" Define your distinct choice options (e.g., Single, Married, Cohabiting, Divorced).
- Add the dependent element: Next, add the new element that you only want to display under certain conditions. For instance, add a Short answer field to collect "Partner's Full Name."
- Open field actions: Navigate to the dependent element ("Partner's Full Name") and locate the three-dot action menu (⋮) icon, which contains all contextual field actions.
- Add rule: Select add rule from the menu. This opens the "Apply rule" configuration interface.
- Configure the condition: Within this rule interface, define the exact condition. Select the trigger field ('Marital Status'), set the condition operator to 'Is', and choose the specific value required (e.g., 'Married'). The interface summary will indicate the logic: "Shown when [Marital Status] is [Married]." Once added/saved, a distinctive visibility tag will appear on the configured field or section, confirming dynamic visibility is active.
- Adding multiple conditions: You can set multiple conditions for a single rule by clicking the + Add condition button. This allows for complex combinations (e.g., show if A is true and B is true).
- Different values require separate rules: If you want distinct values from the trigger field to result in different outcomes (e.g., show Partner name if 'Married', but show a separate Witness name field if 'Cohabiting'), it is recommended to add separate, distinct rules.
- Outcome in preview: When the user completes the form, they initially see only the trigger field ("Marital Status"). If they meet the condition you established (e.g., they select 'Married'), the dependent field dynamically appears directly below the trigger, creating a streamlined, relevant experience.
While this example is for a rental application, this conditional logic functionality is highly flexible and can be applied to any context to streamline forms of any complexity.
Allowing multiple entries
You can enable any relevant form element to allow signers to enter multiple recursive entries without adding duplicate sections. This feature is crucial when asking for lists of variable length, ensuring users can submit complete data effortlessly.
Step-by-Step configuration guide
- Select the element: Create the base element that you want to enable recursive listing for (e.g., a Short answer field for "Full name of other household members" or a File upload element for multiple project files).
- Open field actions: Click the three-dot action menu (⋮) icon for that specific element.
- Enable multiple entries: Select Allow multiple entries from the menu. This modifies how the field is configured.
- Define maximum entries: To manage the total number of submissions, you must set a limit. Expand the validation options by clicking the down-arrow button (configuration toggler) located to the right of the active field. Within this expanded validation context menu, navigate to the dedicated Set up multiple entries section and input your desired maximum value. This can be configured for up to 100 maximum entries.
Detailed Use Cases
While ideal for listing variable household members, this recursive entry feature is powerful across industries:
- Audit: Listing each unique audited file or account ID (e.g., 'Audited File A,' then recursive entries for 'Audited File B,' 'Audited File C,' etc.).
- Finance: Detailing diverse diversified asset classes or recording each distinct bank account number.
- Legal/Compliance: Listing multiple property addresses or diverse contract references.
- HR/Recruitment: Capturing multiple previous employers, references, or academic qualifications for a single candidate.
- Real Estate: Listing multiple tenants on a lease agreement, or recording several co-owners on a property title.
- Insurance: Recording multiple beneficiaries on a policy, or listing several insured assets or vehicles under one claim.
- Banking: Onboarding multiple authorised signatories for a business account, or listing several existing accounts for consolidation.
- Public Sector/Government: Registering multiple household members for a benefits application, or listing several dependents for a civil service form.
- Healthcare: Documenting multiple medications, allergies, or next-of-kin contacts for a patient intake form.
- Education: Listing multiple guardians or emergency contacts for a student enrolment form, or recording several prior institutions attended.
Outcome in Preview: When the user encounters this field, they can complete the initial entry. A dedicated Add another button will appear. Clicking this recursively duplicates only the input field, allowing for quick, streamlined listing without cluttering the form structure. A clear counter informs the user of their progress toward the established maximum (e.g., "Multiple entries 1/100").