Building Custom Forms

Building Custom Forms

Custom forms are the structured data side of HandyBook — checklists, inspections, sign-offs, custom intake. The form builder is drag-and-drop, no coding.

Where to build forms

Custom Forms is a Business tier feature. In the sidebar, open Operations → Custom Forms (or go to /dashboard/forms). The page header reads Custom forms.

Click New form (top-right). On an empty account the same screen offers Create your first form and a Use sample inspection starter.

Field types available

The builder palette has eight field types. Click one to add it to the canvas:

• Short text — single-line answers (name, address, model number)
• Long text — multi-line notes and descriptions
• Number — quantities, measurements, amounts
• Date — calendar picker
• Dropdown — pick one from a list you define
• Checkboxes — pick any number from a list you define
• Photo upload — capture or upload images from the job
• Signature — finger or mouse signature

Building a form

1. Give the form a Form name (required) and an optional description in the two fields above the canvas.
2. Add fields from the palette.
3. Click a field to set its Label and toggle Required. Dropdown and checkbox fields let you edit the list of options.
4. Reorder fields by dragging.
5. Click Save form.

The form opens to its detail page, where you can keep editing.

The sample inspection template

The Use sample inspection starter (or ?template=inspection) gives you a "Pre-Service Inspection" with a property address, an "Areas inspected" checklist (Kitchen, Bathroom, Garage, Exterior, Roof), an inspection-photos field, a findings note, and a required customer signature. Edit it to fit your trade.

Photos and signatures in the field

Photo and signature fields are designed for phones — your tech can shoot photos straight from the camera and capture a signature on the screen while standing at the job. See Signature capture for the signing flow.

FAQ

Where do forms live? Operations → Custom Forms in the sidebar. Each saved form has its own detail page at /dashboard/forms/<id>.

Is there conditional logic or calculated fields? Not today. Forms are a straight list of the eight field types above. Use a clear label and the Required toggle to guide the person filling it in.

What's the difference between a form and a quote? A quote is priced line items the customer accepts. A form is any structured data — checklists, inspections, sign-offs — with optional photos and a signature. Different tools; often complementary.

Why can't I see Custom Forms? It's a Business-tier feature. Free and Pro accounts see it in the sidebar with a Business badge; open it to preview and upgrade.