Form Parts
A form part is a distinct stage of an application. Most forms have a single form part, but multi-step forms can also be set up where later parts are only unlocked after earlier ones are reviewed.
On the application, the switch that unlocks a part is called Activate this application part; in automations, the action is called Activate Form Part. Both always mean the form part.
Why use form parts?
Form parts are useful for collecting information in stages, for example:
- Part 1: a short initial application (concept note)
- Part 2: a full application, only requested for shortlisted applicants
The applicant completes Part 1 and submits. The team reviews it. If it wants to proceed, it unlocks Part 2 for that applicant and tells them it is open so they can complete it.
How form parts work
- Each form part has its own set of fields, organized into areas
- By default, only the first form part is visible to applicants
- The team can activate a subsequent form part for specific applications
- Form parts can also be activated automatically using Automations
- Fields in a later form part can take over values from an earlier part (linked fields); the Fundament team sets this up per form
Activating a form part
Manually: open the application, switch to the tab of the form part that is not active yet, flip the Activate this application part switch there, then click Save Application in the side panel. The switch alone is not enough, and only one new form part can be activated per revision.
Automatically: set up an automation with the Activate Form Part action.
Once a form part is activated, the submission status of the application changes to Revision Requested until the applicant has submitted the new part.
Activating a form part does not send an email on its own. The applicant will not know about it unless the team writes to them or has set up an automation with the Send Email action. See Requesting Changes.
Forms with a single part
If the process does not require stages, simply use one form part. This is the default and the most common setup.
Form part vs. area
An area is a section within a form part; it groups related fields together visually. A form part is a separate submission stage with its own lifecycle. Use areas for structure within a stage; use form parts for separate stages.