How to Create a New Form in BoldGrid

When you load BoldGrid for WordPress, it includes a powerful form plugin called Ninja Forms. This plugin is loaded when your chosen Inspiration is installed. Ninja Forms allows you to create custom forms with template fields, layout elements, and setup actions for the form. There are a wide variety of options that you can create with Ninja Forms, and we will show in this tutorial how to create a new form in BoldGrid.

How to Build a New Form in Ninja Forms

1. Login to the BoldGrid Administrator.
2. Click on the menu item labeled Forms.If you don’t see a Forms option, then you may need to load an Inspiration.
3. Next, click on Add New.
4. Choose the elements that make up your form by clicking on them from the menu at left. Each option that you can select is described in the section after these instructions.
5. Click on one of the blue Save buttons to save your form.

Elements of a Form

When you wish to create a new form in BoldGrid, you will be selecting fields, elements, user information fields, and payment fields to add to the form. Each section is displayed and defined below.

Textbox options

The textbox is used to provide an input field for text.  This is generally used for shorter amounts of text.  Large amounts of text where paragraphs would be expected are covered by the Text Area field.

Label	This is the title of the textbox.
Label Position	This option lets you position where the label will be placed in relation to the text entry. The position can be: left, right, above, below or inside the entry field element.
Placeholder	Temporary text that appears in the input element until text is entered; this is an HTML5 feature
Restriction Settings	Settings that limit what can be typed into the textbox: Validate as an email address?(Field must be required) – Tests the entered text to make sure it is in the format of an email address. Disable Input – Disables the input of text into the field. Required – Makes entry of text mandatory. Input Mask – Require that the entered text match a pre-determined format. Limit input to this number – Allows you to limit the input by a certain amount. of – characters or words – You can choose if the limit will be counted by characters or words. Text to appear after character/word counter – This text describes the characters/words counted.
Calculation Settings	Include in the auto-total? (if enabled) – Adds the calculated field value to a running auto total for your form. This is the only option available in non-calculation field types.
Advanced Settings	Datepicker – Displays the datepicker pop-up when the field is selected. This is the user’s state – This option validates a user’s state against  payment processing solutions like PayPal or Stripe. Disable Browser Autocomplete – Removes autocomplete provided by the internet browser. Sort as numeric ( If this box is checked, this column in the submissions table will sort by number) – Column in submission table will sort by number. Default Value –  Value assigned to field can be set to none, user ID, post/page ID, custom or query . Admin Label – Label used when viewing, editing,  or exporting submissions. User Info Field Group –  Determines if used for billing, shipping or custom. Custom CSS Classes – You can call custom CSS from this location. Show Help Text – Allows you to add text that will appear over. Add Description –  Allows you to add description text to the fields.

Note: For the Advanced Setting Custom CSS Classes please see Add custom CSS to your Ninja Forms for more information.

List options

This option lets you configure lists within your form. Note that some of the options will not appear unless you select the checkbox labeled Show option values. List items can be

Label	Title for the displayed list.
Label position	This option lets you position where the label will be placed in relation to the text entry. The position can be: left, right, above, below or inside the entry field element.
List Type	Lets you select the type of list you want to show: dropdown, radio, checkboxes, or multi-select.
Add New	Lets you add another label in the displayed label options.
Import List Items	Allows you to import list items in CSV format.
Show list item values	You can specify a programmatic value instead of a label. If you do not check this option then the programmatic value will be the same as the label. This value is saved in your WordPress database.
Restriction Settings	Required – check this box to make the list a required field.
Calculation Settings	Include in the auto-total?(if enabled) – Adds the calculated field value to a running auto total for your form. This is the only option available in non-calculation field types.
Advanced Settings	This is the user’s state – Click checkbox to validate states of the US or other countries against payment processing solutions such as PayPal or Stripe. Sort as numeric – Submissions table is sorted numerically if selected. Admin label – Label used when viewing, editing, or exporting submissions. Custom CSS Classes – You can call custom CSS from this location. Show help text – Allows you to add help text that will appear next to the input fields. Add description – Allows you to add a description text or other media with the submit button.

Submit

When you save your form a Submit button must be on the form.  A warning will appear if you attempt to save the form without the Submit button. It will give you the option to save one in place for you. The options for the Submit button are listed below.

Label	This is the title for the submit button.
Advanced Settings	Custom CSS Classes – You can call custom CSS from this location. Show help text -This option allows you to add help text that will appear next to the input fields. Add description – This option allows you to add a description text or other media with the submit button.

 Timed Submit

This option allows you to create a timed delay for the submission of the form.

Label	This is the title for the submit button.
Label	%n is used to signify the number of seconds.
Number of seconds for the countdown	This is the period of time a user must wait to submit the form.
Advanced Settings	Custom CSS Classes – option lets you add Custom CSS code.

Password

This field can be used to register a user or to allow access for submission with correct password.

Label	This is the title for the password field.
Use this as a registration field	Forces the output of repeat password box for verification purposes.
Re-enter Password Label	Label for repeat password field.
Show Password strength indicator	Shows the strength of the entered password.
Restriction Settings	Required – Check this box to make the list a required field.
Calculation Settings	Include in the auto-total?(if enabled) – This option adds the calculated field value to a running auto total for your form. This is the only option available in non-calculation field types.
Advanced Settings	Sort as numeric – The submissions table is sorted numerically if selected. Admin label – Title used when viewing, editing, or exporting submissions. Custom CSS Classes – You can call custom CSS from this location. Show help text – This option allows you to add help text that will appear next to the input fields. Add description – This option allows you to add a description text or other media with the submit button.

Calculation

Output calculation as	This option allows you to determine if the output will be formatted as text, HTML, or use no formatting.
Label	Title for the calculation field .
Label position	Position of the label in relation to the output displayed.
Disable input checkbox	This option allows you to disable the input field.
Calculation Method	Gives you the option for calculating the value: Automatically total Calculation Values Specify Operations and Fields Use an Equation
Number of Decimal Places	Determines number of decimal places to be displayed.
Calculation Settings	Include in the auto-total?(if enabled) – This option allows you to include the calculated value in the automatically generated total value generated in the form.
Advanced Settings	Calculation name – The programmatic name of the field. Default value – Allows you to pre-determine the value of the field. Custom CSS Class – You can call custom CSS from this location. Show help text – This option allows you to add help text that will appear next to the input fields. Admin Label – Label used when editing, viewing or exporting submissions. Add description – This option allows you to add a description text or other media with the submit button.

Checkbox

Input field used for selection

Label	Title for the checkbox.
Label position	Position of the label in relation to the output displayed.
Default value	Value of the checkbox – Unchecked or checked.
Restriction Settings	Allows you to make this option required.
Calculation Settings	Checked Calculation value – Value that will be used if checked. Unchecked Calculation value – Value that will be used if unchecked. Include in the auto-total?(if enabled) – This calculation option allows you to include the calculated value total with the summary value  generated in the form.
Advanced Settings	Sort as numeric – The column in the submissions table will be sorted by number if this option is selected. Admin label – Label used when viewing, editing, or exporting submissions. Custom CSS Class- You can call custom CSS from this location. Show help text – This option allows you to add help text that will appear next to the input fields. Admin Label – Label used when editing, viewing or exporting submissions. Add description – This option allows you to add a description text or other media with the submit button.

Hidden Field

Adds a hidden field on your form.  The field can be used for a variety of purposes such as email or calculation.

Label	This allows you to name the hidden field
Default value	Allows you to set the value of the option based on the user info, today’s date, post info, custom, and query string
Is this an email address?	Validates the value as an email address if checked
Send a copy of the form to this address?	If checked, a copy of the form will be sent to the email address along with any messages attached to the form
Calculation settings	This Calculation option allows you to include the calculated value with the total value generated in the form
Advanced Settings	Sort as numeric – The column in the submissions table will be sorted by number if this option is selected. Admin label – Label used when viewing, editing, or exporting submissions. Custom CSS Class – You can call custom CSS from this location. Add description – Allows you to add a description text or other media with the submit button.

Anti-Spam

The anti-spam option prevents bots from hitting your form using question and answer responses. This prevents bots from providing automatic answers with the intention of sending you spam. You will need to add a spam question and spam answer .

Label Position	The position of the label in relation to the output displayed.
Spam Question	This option allows you to add a question that is used to prevent bots sending spam.
Spam Answer	This is the answer to the Spam Question that you establish for spam.
Advanced Settings	Custom CSS Classes – You can call custom CSS from this location. Show help text – This option allows you to add help text that will appear next to the input fields. Add description – This option allows you to add a description text or other media with the submit button.

Textarea

The textarea allows you to add an area where users can input a large block of text and other media to your form. You have the option to use a rich text editor, enable the option to upload media, and change the editor for mobile environments.

Label	This allows you to name the field.
Label Position	Position of the label in relation to the output displayed.
Default Value	This option lets you determine the default value for the text area that appears in the form.
Show Rich Text Editor	Click on this checkbox to show the rich text editor when the user adds text.
Show Media Upload Button	Click on checkbox to show the Media Upload button.
Disable Rich Text Editor on Mobile	Clicking on this checkbox will disable the rich text editor when the user is on a mobile device.
Restriction Settings	Required -Option makes it so that the textarea must be filled. Limit input to this number – This option allows you to set a limit to the text being entered; leaving it blank means no limit. of – Lets you determine if the limit is characters or words. Text to appear after character/word counter – This text describes the number of characters/words counted.
Calculation settings	This Calculation option allows you to include the calculated value total value generated in the form.
Advanced Settings	Sort as numeric – The column in the submissions table will be sorted by number if this option is selected. Custom CSS Class – You can call custom CSS from this location. Show help text – This option allows you to add help text that will appear next to the input fields. Add description – This option allows you to add a description text or other media with the submit button.

Star rating

This field is used to provide a quick, visible rating system on your form.

Label	This allows you to name the field.
Label Position	Position of the label in relation to the output displayed.
Number of Stars	Determines the number of stars shown for use in ratings.
Restriction Settings	Required – Option makes it so that the Star Rating section must be filled.
Calculation Settings	Include in the auto-total?(if enabled) – Allows you to include the calculated value in the automatically generated total value generated in the form.
Advanced Settings	Sort as numeric – The column in the submissions table will be sorted by number if this option is selected. Custom CSS Class – You can call custom CSS from this location. Show help text – This option allows you to add help text that will appear next to the input fields. Add description –  This option allows you to add a description text or other media with the submit button.

Number

This option provides a way to number your form .

Label	This allows you to name the field.
Label Position	Position of the label in relation to the output displayed.
Default Value	This is the value assigned to the field that can be set to none, user ID, post/page ID and custom.
Minimum Value	This sets the minimum value in a range of values for the number field.
Maximum Value	This sets the maximum value in a range of values for the number field.
Step	This option provides the amount by which the number value of the field will be incremented.
Restrictions	Required – Option makes it so that the Number section must be filled
Calculation Settings	Include in the auto-total?(if enabled) – Allows you to include the calculated value in the automatically generated total value generated in the form.
Advanced Settings	Sort as numeric – The column in the submissions table will be sorted by number if this option is selected. Custom CSS Class – You can call custom CSS from this location (see Add custom CSS to your Ninja Forms). Show help text – This option allows you to add help text that will appear next to the input fields. Add description – This option allows you to add a description text or other media with the submit button.

Layout Elements

The Layout elements provide a way to create a horizontal row or text that can be part of your form simply for structural purposes. These elements would not be part of the collecting or calculating parts of the form.

HR

“HR” stands for horizontal row. This option lets you create a horizon line on your form.

Advanced Setting for hr	Custom CSS – You can call custom CSS from this location (see Add custom CSS to your Ninja Forms).

Text

This option allows you to add non-interactive text to your form.

Label	This is the title for the text field.
Default value	This is where you add the text or other media that is part of the non-interactive parts of your form.
Text Element	Click on this option to determine how you want to display the text.
Advanced Settings	Custom CSS – You can call custom CSS from this location. Add Description – Click on this checkbox in order to add a description for your text.

User Information

User Information fields allow you request user information such as the first name, last name, address, city, state, country and post code. It also includes options for email and phone fields. These fields are added one at a time have the same options. The summary of all of the User Information fields are listed below:

First Name, Last Name, Address 1, Address 2, City and Zip/Post Code

These User Information fields all have the same options when selected.  The user information fields provide information about the user including name, location and contact information.

Label	Allows you add a title to the field.
Label position	Position of the label in relation to the output displayed.
Placeholder	This is the placeholder text that appears in the field until selected and filled.
Restriction Settings	Validate as an email address?(Field must be required) – Tests the entered text to make sure it in the format of an email address. Disable Input – Disables the input of text into the field. Required – Makes entry of text mandatory. Input Mask – Force entry to a specific format by selecting one of the pre-defined options in the drop-down menu. Limit input to this number – Number used to limit character or word entry. There is no limit used if the box is left empty. of – Used in conjunction with input limit to determine what is counted – characters or words. Text to appear after character/word counter – Option used to provide text after character/word limit (if any).
Calculation Settings	Include in the auto-total? (if enabled) – Adds the calculated field value to a running auto total for your form. This is the only option available in non-calculation field types.
Advanced Settings	Datepicker – Click in the checkbox in order to convert this field in to a datepicker pop-up. This is the user’s state – This option validates a user’s state against payment processing solutions like PayPal or Stripe. Disable Browser Autocomplete – Prevents the internet browser from using autocomplete to finish your entries. Sort as numeric – The column in the submissions table will be sorted by number if this option is selected. Default Value – This value can be set to none, user ID, post/page ID and custom.. Admin label – Label used when viewing, editing, or exporting submissions. User Info Field Group – Drop-down menu which allows the data to be associated to billing, shipping or custom. Custom CSS – You can call custom CSS from this location. Show help text – Allows you to add help text that will appear next to the input fields. Add description – Allows you to add a description text or other media with the submit button.

State

The State field in User Information includes all of the states in the United States and also allows you to add custom states.

Label	This option allows you add a title to the field.
Label position	The position of the label in relation to the output displayed.
List Type	Click on the drop down menu to select the type of list that will appear on the form. The state option has a list included already showing all of the states of the United States.
Add New	Lets you add another State in the list.
Import List Items	This option allows you to import list items in CSV format.
Show list item values	When checked, you are showing the value of the list item. In this case, it is the state abbreviation.
Restriction Settings	When checked it makes this option selection mandatory.
Calculation Settings	Include in the auto-total? (if enabled) – Adds the calculated field value to a running auto total for your form. This is the only option available in non-calculation field types.
Advanced Settings	This is the user’s state – Click checkbox to validate states of the US or other countries against payment processing solutions such as PayPal or Stripe. This option defaults as checked. Sort as numeric – Submissions table is sorted numerically if selected. Admin label – Label used when viewing, editing, or exporting submissions. User Info Field Group – This option allows you to select a user info field group: none, billing, shipping, or custom. Custom CSS Classes – You can call custom CSS from this location. Show help text – This option allows you to add help text that will appear next to the input fields. Add description – This option allows you to add a description text or other media with the submit button.

Country

This option allows the selection of a country on the form. The default country is set to the United States, but it can be changed using the drop down menu.

Label	This option allows you add a title to the field.
Label position	Position of the label in relation to the output displayed.
Default Country	The country shown on the form by default. Click on the drop-down menu in order to select a different country.
Use a custom first option / Custom first option	You can type in a custom option when this option is checked. There must be a custom option typed in the blank in order for the option to function.
Restriction Settings	When checked it makes this option selection mandatory.
Calculation Settings	Include in the auto-total? (if enabled) – Adds the calculated field value to a running auto total for your form. This is the only option available in non-calculation field types.
Advanced Settings	Sort as numeric – Submissions table is sorted numerically if selected. Admin label – Label used when viewing, editing, or exporting submissions. User Info Field Group – This option allows you to select a user info field group: none, billing, shipping, or custom. Custom CSS Classes – You can call custom CSS from this location. Show help text – This option allows you to add help text that will appear next to the input fields. Add description – This option allows you to add a description text or other media with the submit button.

Phone

This field allows for the entry of a phone number. By default, the phone number is formatted to the United States format for phone numbers.

Label	This option allows you add a title to the field.
Label position	The position of the label in relation to the output displayed.
Placeholder	This is the placeholder text that appears in the field until selected and filled.
Restriction Settings	Validate as an email address?(Field must be required) – Tests the entered text to make sure it in the format of an email address. Disable Input -This option disables the input of text into the field. Required – Makes selection of list item mandatory. Input Mask – Force entry to a specific format by selecting one of the pre-defined options in the drop-down menu. Limit input to this number – Number used to limit character or word entry. No limit used if the box is left empty. of – Used in conjunction with input limit to determine what is counted – characters or words. Text to appear after character/word counter – option used to provide text after character/word limit (if any).
Calculation Settings	Include in the auto-total? (if enabled) – Adds the calculated field value to a running auto total for your form. This is the only option available in non-calculation field types.
Advanced Settings	Sort as numeric – Submissions table is sorted numerically if selected. Admin label – Label used when viewing, editing, or exporting submissions. User Info Field Group – Allows you to select a user info field group: none, billing, shipping, or custom. Custom CSS Classes – You can call custom CSS from this location. Show help text -This option allows you to add help text that will appear next to the input fields. Add description – This option allows you to add a description text or other media with the submit button.

Email

This field allows for the entry of an email address. By default, the email address field is formatted specifically for email addresses.

Label	This option allows you add a title to the field.
Label position	The position of the label in relation to the output displayed.
Placeholder	This is the placeholder text that appears in the field until selected and filled.
Restriction Settings	Validate as an email address?(Field must be required) – Tests the entered text to make sure it in the format of an email address. Disable Input – Disables the input of text into the field. Required – This option makes selection of list item mandatory. Input Mask – This option forces entry to a specific format by selecting one of the pre-defined options in the drop-down menu. Limit input to this number – Number used to limit character or word entry. No limit used if the box is left empty. of – This option is used in conjunction with input limit to determine what is counted – characters or words. Text to appear after character/word counter – This option is used to provide text after character/word limit (if any).
Calculation Settings	Include in the auto-total? (if enabled) – Adds the calculated field value to a running auto total for your form. This is the only option available in non-calculation field types.
Advanced Settings	Sort as numeric – Submissions table is sorted numerically if selected. Admin label – Label used when viewing, editing, or exporting submissions. User Info Field Group – Allows you to select a user info field group: none, billing, shipping, or custom. Custom CSS Classes – You can call custom CSS from this location. Show help text – Allows you to add help text that will appear next to the input fields. Add description – Allows you to add a description text or other media with the submit button.

Payment Fields

Tax

You can set the tax percentage used for the form in this field.

Label	Title for the field.
Label Position	Allows you to position the label on the form.
Tax Percentage	This is where you can specify the tax percentage number.
Calculation Settings	Include in the auto-total? (if enabled) – Adds the calculated field value to a running auto total for your form. This is the only option available in non-calculation field types.
Advanced Settings	Sort as numeric – Submissions table is sorted numerically if selected. Admin label – The title used when viewing, editing, or exporting submissions. Custom CSS Classes – You can call custom CSS from this location. Show Help Text – This option allows you to add help text that will appear next to the input fields. Add Description – This option allows you to add a description text or other media with the submit button.

Subtotal and Total

This field calculates the subtotal on your form. The total summarizes the calculations on the form. These options use the same set functions if you choose them for your form.

Output calculation as	This option allows you to determine how the subtotal or total is displayed. The options include none, textbox, and HTML.
Label	Title for the subtotal or total field.
Label Position	Allows you to position the label on the form.
Disable input?	This option is checked by default and disables input into the field.
Calculation Method	This option lets you specify how the subtotal or total is calculated. You can determine if the form will summarize for you based on the form fields.  You can also select the fields yourself or use a specific equation.
Number of decimal places	This option determines the number of decimal places displayed in the subtotal or total. By default, it is set to 2.
Calculation Settings	Include in the auto-total? (if enabled) – This option adds the calculated field value to a running auto total for your form. This is the only option available in non-calculation field types.
Advanced Settings	Calculation name – This is the programmatic name of your field to identify it for equations used in your form. Default Value – This is the default value for Subtotal or Total. Custom CSS Classes – You can call custom CSS from this location. Admin Label – This is the label used when viewing, editing, or exporting submissions. Show help text – This option allows you to add help text that will appear next to the input fields. Add description – This option allows you to add a description text or other media with the subtotal/total option.