Drupal Forms User Guide

When done properly, forms are an effective way to gather information from users. But, as with any system, forms must be designed well to get the best out of them. 

Bear the following principles in mind when starting any new form.

Clear purpose

A form should have one single purpose. That might be something simple, such as requesting a tree be put in your neighbourhood, or complex, like applying for funding for a new energy saving project. 

Create a user story to define the need and outcome of the form.

Format: As a [user], I want to [need] so that I [can achieve a desired outcome].

Example: As a resident of an estate, I want to report a damaged tree so that people walking past it are not hurt by falling branches.

Once you understand the purpose of the form in this way, it becomes easy to see what information needs to be gathered, and what can be discarded as irrelevant.

Do not be tempted to create a form that has multiple purposes. Better to create two simple forms than one that sows doubt in the users mind, or frustrates them by asking irrelevant questions to their purpose.

Keep it simple

Forms should always be easy to follow and understand. Always set out to ensure that:

• there is enough context at the start that the user knows they are using the correct form
• the user knows what will be expected of them, and can gather any information they need before they begin
• the questions are clear and unambiguous
• you use closed questions over open ones where possible
• you're using the most appropriate input type
• questions are grouped in a logical way

Think from the user's perspective

When thinking about the form and the questions, think from the user's point of view.

What frame of mind would the user be in when filling in the form?

Might the request come from a user in a heightened state or anxiety? If so, make sure that the form is clear and simple. Maybe consider using images if they help to avoid confusion. 

Is the information required detailed or complex? If so, make sure that there is enough information for the user to fill the form accurately. Avoid using open ended questions which might lead to verbose answers that will be hard to process or make judgement calls against.

What is the user's level of English comprehension?

Who might be filling the form in? Someone who has lived in Southwark all their life, or someone more likely to have arrived recently, quite possible from another country? 

Are all the questions relevant to the user's desired outcome?

Going back to the idea of clarity of purpose, make sure that the questions you ask are directly relevant to the task at hand. Asking for gender identity or ethnic background for 'monitoring purposes' when someone is trying to get their garden waste collected will only confuse or annoy people. If there is information that a stakeholder insists they collect that isn't relevant, think about making it an optional step at the end, after the form has been submitted. We have set up an equalities monitoring form that everyone can use.

Work on the assumption that all questions are mandatory. If there is a question that doesn't make sense to be mandatory, question whether is it needed.