---
title: "Long Text Field"
slug: "form-builder-long-text-field"
updated: 2026-10-28T14:25:04Z
published: 2026-10-28T14:25:04Z
canonical: "help.quickbase.com/form-builder-long-text-field"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.quickbase.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Long Text Field

The Long Text field gives users room for paragraphs, comments, and detailed notes. This article covers how to add a Long Text field, limit its length, and configure its settings.

## How the Long Text field works

A Long Text field is a multi-line text box that grows as the user types. It accepts letters, numbers, special characters, and line breaks.

For example, a work order can ask for a *Description* of the problem. Technicians can write as much as they need, on as many lines as they need.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/long-04-preview-example.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-30T01%3A34%3A17Z&se=2026-10-30T02%3A34%3A17Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=zOgMCOEBr5aUZZYOLJ9x4f3%2BcEGBjrV%2B1fybAOP2Cmg%3D)

For short, one-line answers like a name or an ID, use a [Text field](/fastfield/docs/en/form-builder-text-field-single-line-text) instead.

## Add a Long Text field

1. In the Form Builder, select **Add Fields** in the side bar.
2. Under Text, select **Long Text** to add it after the selected field. You can also drag it onto the canvas where you want it.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/long-01-add-field-panel.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-30T01%3A34%3A17Z&se=2026-10-30T02%3A34%3A17Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=zOgMCOEBr5aUZZYOLJ9x4f3%2BcEGBjrV%2B1fybAOP2Cmg%3D)

The field appears on the canvas as *Long Text Field*, and its field settings open on the General tab.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/long-02-new-field-settings.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-30T01%3A34%3A17Z&se=2026-10-30T02%3A34%3A17Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=zOgMCOEBr5aUZZYOLJ9x4f3%2BcEGBjrV%2B1fybAOP2Cmg%3D)

## Limit the length of the answer

1. In **Field Label**, enter the question users see, for example *Technician Notes*.
2. Under Long Text Settings, turn on **Enable Min/Max Length**.
3. Enter a **Min Length** and a **Max Length** in characters.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/long-03-min-max-length.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-30T01%3A34%3A17Z&se=2026-10-30T02%3A34%3A17Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=zOgMCOEBr5aUZZYOLJ9x4f3%2BcEGBjrV%2B1fybAOP2Cmg%3D)

Users can't submit the form until the answer is within the limits you set.

## Configure the field

Use the General, Behavior, and Appearance tabs in Field Settings to control how the field works.

| Tab | Setting | What it does |
| --- | --- | --- |
| General | Field Label | The question users see on the form |
| General | Field Key | The key that identifies the field in submissions, rules, and calculations |
| General | Default Value | Fills in the field each time a user starts the form |
| General | Enable Min/Max Length | Limits the answer to the Min Length and Max Length you enter, in characters |
| General | Required Field | Users must fill in the field before they can submit the form |
| General | Hint Text | Text shown in the empty field to tell users what to enter |
| Behavior | Hide Field | Hides the field in the app |
| Behavior | Hide Field Label | Shows the field without its label |
| Behavior | Exclude From Reports | Leaves the field's value out of reports. The value stays in the submission data |
| Behavior | Enabled | When off, the field is grayed out and users can't change it |
| Behavior | Capture GPS Location | Records the GPS coordinates from when the field was last changed |
| Behavior | Capture Timestamp | Records the date and time the field was last changed |
| Appearance | Background Color | Gives the field a color. Learn more about [alert types](/fastfield/docs/en/form-builder-alert-type-field-colors) |

Select **Save Draft** to save your changes. Users see them after you select **Publish**.

## Set up the field with the Assistant

You can also ask the Assistant to add a Long Text field or change its settings.

1. Select **Assistant** in the side bar.
2. Describe what you want, for example *Add a long text field called Technician Notes after Description, with a maximum of 500 characters* or *Add the hint text Describe the problem to Description*.
3. Send the message.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/long-05-assistant.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-30T01%3A34%3A17Z&se=2026-10-30T02%3A34%3A17Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=zOgMCOEBr5aUZZYOLJ9x4f3%2BcEGBjrV%2B1fybAOP2Cmg%3D)

The Assistant can add, rename, and move the field. It can also set the hint text, default value, length limits, and required setting.

> [!NOTE]
> Note
> 
> Assistant changes aren't saved until you select **Save Draft**.

## What's next

- [Text field](/fastfield/docs/en/form-builder-text-field-single-line-text)
- [Static Text field](/fastfield/docs/en/form-builder-static-text)
- [Field type overview](/fastfield/docs/en/form-builder-field-type-overview)