--- title: "Timer Field" slug: "form-builder-timer-field" updated: 2026-10-28T14:25:44Z published: 2026-10-28T14:25:44Z canonical: "help.quickbase.com/form-builder-timer-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. # Timer Field The Timer field lets users time a task right in the form, without a separate stopwatch. This article covers how to add a Timer field, choose the type of timer, and configure its settings. ## How the Timer field works A Timer field shows a clock with buttons to start, pause, and reset it. You choose the type of timer: - Stop Watch: Counts up from zero until the user pauses it - Count Down: Counts down from a time you set The submission saves the time on the timer when the user submits the form. For example, a maintenance form can time how long a sealant cures. A 5-minute countdown tells the technician when the sealant is ready. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/timer-05-preview-example.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-30T01%3A33%3A03Z&se=2026-10-30T02%3A33%3A03Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=AJKtKcI0nzjL60NTvw%2BxCPF6%2F84c80jPeS381%2B2N%2F4I%3D) ## Add a Timer field 1. In the Form Builder, select **Add Fields** in the side bar. 2. Under Numeric, select **Timer** 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/timer-01-add-field-panel.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-30T01%3A33%3A03Z&se=2026-10-30T02%3A33%3A03Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=AJKtKcI0nzjL60NTvw%2BxCPF6%2F84c80jPeS381%2B2N%2F4I%3D) The field appears on the canvas as *Timer Field*, and its field settings open on the General tab. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/timer-02-new-field-settings.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-30T01%3A33%3A03Z&se=2026-10-30T02%3A33%3A03Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=AJKtKcI0nzjL60NTvw%2BxCPF6%2F84c80jPeS381%2B2N%2F4I%3D) ## Choose the type of timer 1. In **Field Label**, enter the name users see, for example *Cure Time*. 2. Under Timer Settings, select a **Type**: *Stop Watch* or *Count Down*. 3. If you selected *Count Down*, enter the starting time in **CountDown Time (seconds)**. For example, enter *300* for 5 minutes. The default is 60 seconds. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/timer-03-type-settings.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-30T01%3A33%3A03Z&se=2026-10-30T02%3A33%3A03Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=AJKtKcI0nzjL60NTvw%2BxCPF6%2F84c80jPeS381%2B2N%2F4I%3D) ## 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 name users see on the form | | General | Field Key | The key that identifies the field in submissions, rules, and calculations | | General | Type | Stop Watch counts up from zero. Count Down counts down from the time you set | | General | CountDown Time (seconds) | The time a countdown starts from. Shows only when the type is Count Down | | General | Required Field | Users must start the timer before they can submit the form | | Behavior | Hide Field | Hides the field in the app | | Behavior | Hide Field Label | Shows the timer without the field 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 use the timer | | 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**. ## Add the field with the Assistant You can also ask the Assistant to add a Timer field. 1. Select **Assistant** in the side bar. 2. Describe what you want, for example *Add a Timer field called Cure Time after Description and make it required*. 3. Send the message. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/timer-06-assistant.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-30T01%3A33%3A03Z&se=2026-10-30T02%3A33%3A03Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=AJKtKcI0nzjL60NTvw%2BxCPF6%2F84c80jPeS381%2B2N%2F4I%3D) The Assistant adds the field, names it, and can make it required. Check the **Type** in Field Settings after the Assistant adds a timer, and set up a countdown there. > [!NOTE] > Note > > Assistant changes aren't saved until you select **Save Draft**. ## What's next - [Numeric field](/fastfield/docs/en/form-builder-numeric-field) - [Date/time field](/fastfield/docs/en/form-builder-date-time-capture) - [Field type overview](/fastfield/docs/en/form-builder-field-type-overview)