Long text fields

A Long text field collects a multiline written response. Use it for notes, explanations, or observations that may not fit on one line.

Use a Short text field instead when the answer should be brief and fit on one line.

Add and configure the field

You need edit access to an active Form in an authoring-enabled workspace.

1. In the Form builder, select the section that needs the question.
2. Select Add field or content > Fields > Long text.
3. Enter a clear Label and optional Help text.
4. Optionally enter a Placeholder as a hint inside the empty answer box.
5. Set Minimum length or Maximum length if needed.
6. Review Required, select Done, and wait for saving.
7. Use Preview to test the field.

New fields start as required, with blank placeholder and length settings.

Use placeholders and length limits

A placeholder appears only while the answer box is empty and disappears when the person types. It is not saved. Keep essential instructions in the label or Help text so they remain visible.

Minimum length sets the shortest accepted answer. Maximum length limits the entered text. The minimum cannot exceed the maximum. An optional field may stay blank even when a minimum is set; that minimum applies only when the field is answered. Turn on Required when an answer is mandatory. Spaces alone do not satisfy a required field.

Limits use whole numbers: minimum 0–100,000 and maximum 1–100,000. For a nonblank answer, spaces and line breaks count toward length. Some symbols and emoji can count as more than one character.

Fill, grade, and report the field

People filling the Form see a multiline box beneath the label, with any Help text below it. CareMap checks Required and the length limits before accepting the submission.

When a quiz mode is enabled in Form settings, the field can be Ungraded or Automatically graded. Automatic grading compares the response with one Correct answer. By default, letter case does not matter. Leading or trailing whitespace and repeated spaces or line breaks are also normalized. Turn on Match uppercase and lowercase exactly when case must match.

The submitted text is included in the Form report. Grading normalization does not rewrite it. Automatic grading matches one answer; it does not judge an essay's meaning or award partial credit. Leave open-ended explanations Ungraded when many different answers are acceptable.

See answer keys and item saving for matching and dialog behavior.

Fix common problems

• The field will not save: Make sure the Minimum length is not greater than the Maximum length.
• A person cannot continue or submit: Check whether the field is Required and whether the answer meets the configured length limits.
• The person cannot enter more text: The answer has reached the Maximum length. Raise the limit or shorten the response.
• A quiz answer is marked wrong: Compare it with the Correct answer and check whether exact uppercase and lowercase matching is enabled.