Create and Use Repeating Sections

A repeating section is a group of fields that users can fill out as many times as they need. This article covers how to make a section repeatable in the Form Builder and how users add entries in the app.

How repeating sections work

Some data doesn't come in a fixed quantity. An inspector might log 2 findings on one site and 9 on another.

You build the group of fields once and make the section repeatable. Users then add an entry for each item they need to record. Every entry has the same fields with its own values.

Any section can be repeatable. You can also set the most entries a user can add.

Important

Don't use repeating sections and repeating subforms in the same form. They aren't compatible, and custom Word and PDF reports don't support one nested inside the other.

Make a section repeatable

1. In the Form Builder, select the more options icon in the section header.

2. Select Section Settings.

3. Turn on Make Section Repeatable.

4. In Maximum Sections, enter the most entries a user can add. The default and the maximum is 500.

5. Select Save Section.

A repeat icon appears next to the section name on the canvas.

Tip

You can also open Section Settings from the Pages & Sections tab. Select the settings icon next to the section.

6. Select Save Draft, then select Publish to release the change to users.

Tip

Give a repeatable section a clear name, such as Parts used or Findings. The name appears on every entry, so a vague one makes a long list hard to read.

Add entries in the app

When users reach a repeatable section, they fill out the first entry. Then they select Add Entry to add another one. Each entry is numbered, starting at #1. They can add entries up to the maximum you set.

To check how the section looks before you publish, select Preview in the right side bar. Learn more about the form preview.

Choose between repeating sections and subforms

Both capture repeating data. Choose based on how you'll reuse and report on it.

• Use a repeating section when only this form uses the fields, you want the data in the same submission, or you need the data in a CSV export

• Use a subform when several forms reuse the same group of fields, or you want each entry saved as its own linked submission

Learn more about subforms.

Make a section repeatable with the Assistant

You can also ask the Assistant to make a section repeatable and set its maximum.

1. Select Assistant in the side bar.

2. Describe the change, for example Make the Tasks section repeatable, with a maximum of 10 entries or Set the maximum for the Checklist Items section to 20 entries.

3. Send the message.

The Assistant can also turn repeating off, or add a new repeatable section with its fields. To work on one section, select the Assistant icon in the section header.

Note

Assistant changes aren't saved until you select Save Draft.

What's next

• Create and use subforms

• Add a table to a form (using subforms)

• Organize your form and structure