A form in Input Hub is an ordered list of questions (also called fields). Each question has a type that decides what the question looks like, what kind of answer it accepts, and which validation and display options are available to you. You pick the type when you add a question — set it first, because changing it later clears any type-specific settings you've already configured.
This guide covers the most common question types. For file uploads, addresses, sub-forms, lookups, and linked records, see Advanced Question Types.
Text questions
Use these for answers that are words or sentences.
Short Text
UI label: Short Text
Type value: Text
A single-line text box. Use it for names, reference numbers, codes — anything short.
- Supports Length validation (min/max characters) and a Pattern rule (regular expression) for formats like licence numbers.
- Answers can be flagged AI-extractable, so when an applicant uploads a document the platform can attempt to fill this field automatically.
Long Text
UI label: Long Text
Type value: TextArea
A multi-line text box for longer, free-form answers.
- Supports Length validation.
- Also AI-extractable.
Example: "Purpose of loan", "Notes for the underwriter".
Numbers and money
Number
UI label: Number
Type value: Number
A numeric input for integers or decimals.
- Range validation sets a minimum and/or maximum value.
- Accepts ABN numeric format validation via the NumericFormat rule.
- You can add a unit suffix (e.g. "years", "%") so the displayed value reads naturally.
- Supports auto-calculate: derive this field's value from other fields using a formula (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division) or a
date_addexpression. - AI-extractable.
Example: "Number of dependants", "LVR %".
Money
UI label: Money
Type value: Money
A currency input — stored as a number, displayed with a $ adornment.
- Range validation (min/max amount).
- Display modes: standard number input; slider (a draggable range — requires a min/max Range rule to be set first); read-only statement.
- Amount + frequency mode lets you capture both a dollar amount and how often it recurs (weekly, monthly, etc.) in one question.
- Supports auto-calculate.
- AI-extractable.
Example: "Annual income", "Loan amount" (with a slider once you've set reasonable bounds).
The slider display mode only becomes available after you set a Range validation rule with both a minimum and maximum. Add the Range rule first, then switch the display mode to slider.
Dates
Date
UI label: Date
Type value: Date
A calendar date picker.
- Set Date type to Date of birth to get age-relative validation messages (e.g. "You must be at least 18 years old") instead of generic date wording.
- DateRule validation lets you require a date before or after today, optionally with an offset (e.g. no earlier than 3 years ago).
- Supports auto-calculate — useful for computed dates like a loan maturity date.
- AI-extractable.
Example: "Settlement date", "Date of birth" (switch Date type to Date of birth).
Date and Time
UI label: Date & Time
Type value: DateTime
A combined date and time picker. Same validation options as Date.
Example: "Valuation appointment time".
Choice questions
These present a set of options for the applicant to pick from.
Dropdown
UI label: Dropdown
Type value: Dropdown
Pick one option from a list.
- You define the option list as
value / labelpairs. - Default display mode: grid tiles. You can switch to a standard dropdown, compact grid, or read-only statement.
- Individual options can have
showWhenrules so they appear or disappear based on other answers.
Example: "Loan purpose" — Purchase / Refinance / Construction.
Multi-Choice
UI label: Multi-Choice
Type value: MultiSelect
Pick zero or more options from a list.
- Default display mode: grid tiles.
- A Selections rule sets a minimum and/or maximum number of choices.
Example: "Which documents can you provide?" (select all that apply).
Single Choice
UI label: Single Choice
Type value: Radio
Pick exactly one option, displayed as radio buttons or tiles. Functionally the same as Dropdown but better for short lists where you want all options visible at once.
Example: "Residency status" — Citizen / Permanent resident / Temporary visa.
Checkbox
UI label: Checkbox
Type value: Checkbox
A yes/no toggle — the most versatile choice field thanks to its four display modes:
| Mode | What it shows |
|---|---|
| Normal checkbox | A plain checkbox. |
| Toggle switch | A switch control instead of a checkbox. |
| Disclaimer / Consent | A scrollable rich-text panel (your T&Cs or privacy policy) followed by an "I agree" checkbox. You set the body text, checkbox label, and whether the applicant must scroll to the bottom before ticking. |
| Read-only statement | Non-interactive display text — no interaction. |
- The Must be true validation rule blocks form submission unless the checkbox is ticked — use this for required consents.
Example: "I confirm the above is accurate" (Must be true); a privacy policy with scroll-to-accept (Disclaimer / Consent mode).
For legal acknowledgements — credit-guide disclosure, privacy policy, terms of engagement — use Disclaimer / Consent mode with require scroll turned on. This gives you an auditable record that the applicant read the full text before consenting.
Contact details
These types capture and validate contact information.
UI label: Email
Type value: Email
A text field that validates the entry as an email address.
- EmailFormat validation; you can define an allow list (only certain domains accepted) or a deny list (certain domains blocked).
Example: "Applicant email address".
Phone
UI label: Phone
Type value: Phone
A phone-number input that stores the value in normalised format.
- PhoneFormat validation with four modes:
| Mode | What it enforces |
|---|---|
| ANY | Any phone number format accepted. |
| International (E.164) | Must include a country code (e.g. +61). |
| Australian | Australian landline or mobile. |
| Australian mobile | Australian mobile numbers only. |
Example: "Mobile number", "Work phone".
What comes next
The types above cover the everyday building blocks. Input Hub also offers specialised question types for more complex needs:
- Advanced Question Types — file uploads, addresses, sub-forms, people pickers, contact/applicant fields, search lists, linked records, and display blocks.
- Field Settings — the full set of per-field options: required, help text, placeholder, visibility rules, sensitivity, and advanced settings like field keys and entity binding.
- Display Modes — every presentation option (grid tiles, slider, disclaimer, switch, statement) explained with examples.
- Validations — every validation rule, how they combine, and how to read validation errors.