---
title: "Make fields required"
slug: "making-fields-required"
updated: 2026-04-29T16:59:29Z
published: 2026-04-29T16:59:29Z
canonical: "help.quickbase.com/making-fields-required"
---

> ## 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.

# Make fields required

When you require a field, users can't save a record until the value is entered. You can make a field required across your entire app or only when it appears on a special form.

## To require entries in a field across your entire app

You can require fields using either field settings or [Visual Builder](/v1/docs/visual-builder).

### Use field settings to require fields

1. [Open the field's properties page](/v1/docs/change-the-properties-of-a-field-from-a-legacy-form).
2. In the **Basics** section, select the **Must be filled in** checkbox:

![Field properties page showing the Must be filled in checkbox in the Basics section](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/require-fields.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-26T09%3A49%3A41Z&se=2026-10-26T10%3A49%3A41Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=YCnbFfY5zDvXQXGlDe%2FRLfKfBQ8cNtioIMaR%2Fusvlj4%3D)
3. Select **Save**. Required fields are shown with a red asterisk next to the field's name on the fields page. For users, a red asterisk appears next to fields on forms to indicate that values are required.

### Use Visual Builder to require fields

1. Open a table, select **Settings**, then select **Structure**. Visual Builder opens with the table expanded.
2. Select the field you want to require, then use the field properties on the right to select the **Must be filled in** checkbox:

![Visual Builder showing the Must be filled in checkbox in the field properties panel](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/vb-require-fields.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-26T09%3A49%3A41Z&se=2026-10-26T10%3A49%3A41Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=YCnbFfY5zDvXQXGlDe%2FRLfKfBQ8cNtioIMaR%2Fusvlj4%3D)
3. All changes are saved automatically.

## How to require entries in a field only when it appears on a particular form

1. [Create](/v1/docs/create-a-legacy-form) or [edit](/v1/docs/edit-a-legacy-form) the form on which you want to make the field required.
2. Select the field you want to require, then select the **Required** checkbox.

![Form editor showing the Required checkbox for a selected field](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/require_form_elem.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-26T09%3A49%3A41Z&se=2026-10-26T10%3A49%3A41Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=YCnbFfY5zDvXQXGlDe%2FRLfKfBQ8cNtioIMaR%2Fusvlj4%3D)
3. Select **Save**.

## How to make a field required, but only when it is shown

You can use dynamic form rules to make a field required, but only when it is shown:

![Form rule editor showing a dynamic rule that makes a field required only when it is shown](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/14934594392724.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-26T09%3A49%3A41Z&se=2026-10-26T10%3A49%3A41Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=YCnbFfY5zDvXQXGlDe%2FRLfKfBQ8cNtioIMaR%2Fusvlj4%3D)