---
title: "Subform templates in Report Builder"
slug: "report-builder-templates-subforms"
updated: 2026-09-28T06:23:24Z
published: 2026-09-28T06:23:24Z
canonical: "help.quickbase.com/report-builder-templates-subforms"
---

> ## 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.

# Subform templates in Report Builder

## Overview

Both the [**Static Report Builder**](/fastfield/docs/getting-started-pdf-report-builder) and [**Dynamic Report Builder**](/fastfield/docs/dynamic-report-builder) allow you to incorporate subform data into your custom PDF reports. Before getting started, ensure that you've created a [subform](/fastfield/docs/creating-and-using-subforms) or [table](/fastfield/docs/adding-a-table-to-a-form-using-subforms) and used it in a form that's been submitted.

### Adding subform fields to a Static Report Builder template

1. In the **Static Report Builder**, find your subform section in the **Form Fields** column on the left. It will be clearly marked with a yellow folder labeled **Subform**.

![Form Fields column showing subform folder in Static Report Builder](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/360093697772?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-30T12%3A06%3A45Z&se=2026-10-30T13%3A06%3A45Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=X15pGFN4rzgMt7C2qE0NX7sravayku7rWnSPxTtGnRc%3D) ![Subform fields expanded in the Form Fields panel](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/360093698092?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-30T12%3A06%3A45Z&se=2026-10-30T13%3A06%3A45Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=X15pGFN4rzgMt7C2qE0NX7sravayku7rWnSPxTtGnRc%3D)
2. Add your subform fields to your table.
3. Then, you'll need to go to the **Field Settings** and change the **Instance Number** of each field input.
  - Determining the instance number will differentiate your subform inputs in chronological order as recorded.

![Animated demo of changing Instance Number in Field Settings](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/360093701852?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-30T12%3A06%3A45Z&se=2026-10-30T13%3A06%3A45Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=X15pGFN4rzgMt7C2qE0NX7sravayku7rWnSPxTtGnRc%3D) ![Animated demo showing subform instances differentiated by instance number](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/360093681831?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-30T12%3A06%3A45Z&se=2026-10-30T13%3A06%3A45Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=X15pGFN4rzgMt7C2qE0NX7sravayku7rWnSPxTtGnRc%3D)

### Adding subform fields to a Dynamic Report Builder template

The **Dynamic Report Builder** offers more flexibility and streamlines the process of adding subform data.

1. In the Body of your report, you will need to select the **+ Insert** button and select **Subform**.

![Plus Insert button in the Dynamic Report Builder body](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/31329597491597?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-30T12%3A06%3A45Z&se=2026-10-30T13%3A06%3A45Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=X15pGFN4rzgMt7C2qE0NX7sravayku7rWnSPxTtGnRc%3D)![Subform option selected from the Insert menu](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/31329586610061?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-30T12%3A06%3A45Z&se=2026-10-30T13%3A06%3A45Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=X15pGFN4rzgMt7C2qE0NX7sravayku7rWnSPxTtGnRc%3D)
2. Next, you can choose your desired layout option where you can determine how subform entries are displayed:

![Instance Layout and Table Layout options for displaying subform entries](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/31329586613517?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-30T12%3A06%3A45Z&se=2026-10-30T13%3A06%3A45Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=X15pGFN4rzgMt7C2qE0NX7sravayku7rWnSPxTtGnRc%3D)
  - **Instance Layout**: Each subform instance will be laid out separately
  - **Table Layout:** *Up to 8 subform fields* will be laid out in table format. Recommended for repeating subforms!

> [!WARNING]
> **Important**
> 
> With Dynamic report builder templates, you only need to map your subform fields once, and the system will automatically display the correct subform instances according to your chosen layout. This is much more efficient compared to the Static Report Builder, where each instance must be manually mapped.