# Question types

The questions you can add to a form, from text and choice to signatures, payments, and scheduling, and when to use each one.

Add a question from the **Blocks** tab on the right of the editor, under **Questions**, or type `/` on the canvas and look under **Form Fields**. Hover a block to preview it. The names below are the labels you see there.

![The Blocks tab of the side panel: a search box, the hint to click a block or drag it into place, and the question tiles under Questions, with the rail of Blocks, Fields, Logic, and Theme beside it.](https://formstep.io/docs/images/building-forms/blocks-tab.png)

The Blocks tab: click a block or drag it onto the canvas.

## Text and input

These questions collect typed answers. Email, Website URL, and Phone Number also check the format as the respondent types.

| Type | What it does | Good for |
| - | - | - |
| Text Input | Single-line text field. Optional minimum and maximum length and a pattern. | Names, job titles, short answers |
| Text Area | Multi-line text field that grows as the respondent types. Same rules as Text Input. | Messages, feedback, cover letters |
| Email | Checks the address format. Can receive the confirmation email. | Contact forms, registrations |
| Website URL | Checks that the answer is a web address. | Portfolios, social profiles |
| Phone Number | Country picker with flags; checks the number for that country. | Support requests, order forms |
| Number | Numbers only, with an optional minimum and maximum. | Ages, quantities, budgets |

Only these six have a [placeholder and a default value](https://formstep.io/docs/building-forms/field-configuration/#common-settings), and you can turn each into any of the others.

## Choice

| Type | What it does | Good for |
| - | - | - |
| Radio Buttons | Vertical list where exactly one option can be picked. | Yes/no questions, plan selection |
| Decision | A ready-made choice of approve, decline, or changes, so an automation can act on the verdict. See [Decisions & approvals](https://formstep.io/docs/requests/decisions-and-approvals/) | Approvals, sign-offs, quote acceptance |
| Checkboxes | Any number of options can be ticked. | Preferences, wishlists, consent |
| Dropdown | Compact picker that opens on click, with search. | Countries, departments, long lists |
| Toggle Switch | A switch whose answer is on or off. | Opt-ins, terms acceptance |
| Single Picture Choice | Image cards with labels; only one can be picked. | Product selection, visual preference |
| Multi Picture Choice | Image cards with labels; several can be picked. | Design preference sets, visual quizzes |

## Rating and scale

The Summary tab shows a chart for each of these.

| Type | What it does | Good for |
| - | - | - |
| Star Rating | A row of stars, 5 by default, up to 10. | Satisfaction scores, reviews |
| Linear Scale | A numbered scale, up to 10. | NPS, agreement scales |
| Ranking | Drag-to-reorder list. Every option is always ranked, so it never blocks submission. | Priority lists, preference order |
| Matrix / Grid | Rows are sub-questions, columns are the answers; one column per row. | Satisfaction surveys, comparison grids |

## Date and time

| Type | What it does | Good for |
| - | - | - |
| Date Picker | Calendar popup with an optional earliest and latest date. | Birthdates, event dates, deadlines |
| Time Picker | Time-of-day input with an optional earliest and latest time. | Meeting times, availability windows |

## Files and documents

| Type | What it does | Good for |
| - | - | - |
| File Upload | Respondents drag in files or browse for them. You set the accepted types, the size cap, and how many files. See [File uploads & signatures](https://formstep.io/docs/building-forms/file-uploads-signatures/) | Resumes, photos, receipts |
| Signature | Respondents draw with a mouse or finger; Formstep stores it as an image. | Contracts, consent forms, waivers |
| Documents | Files you give the respondent to download. A request can add files for its one recipient. See [Documents block](https://formstep.io/docs/building-forms/documents-block/) | Contract drafts, price lists, terms |

Uploaded files, signatures, and the documents you add count toward your workspace's storage. See [Limits & quotas](https://formstep.io/docs/subscription-billing/limits-quotas/).

## Payments and scheduling

| Type | What it does | Good for |
| - | - | - |
| Payment | One-time payment through Stripe when the respondent submits. Logic can change the amount. See [Payment collection](https://formstep.io/docs/building-forms/payment-collection/) | Registration fees, orders, donations |
| Schedule appointment | Book a time from your Cal.com calendar inside the form. See [Cal.com](https://formstep.io/docs/integrations/cal-com/) | Consultations, interviews, demos |

> **Looking for CAPTCHA?**
>
> Bot protection is a form setting, not a question. See [Bot protection](https://formstep.io/docs/sharing-publishing/captcha-bot-protection/).

## Blocks that are not questions

- Text and media: Heading 1 to 3, Bullet List, Numbered List, Table, Image, YouTube Embed, Google Maps Embed, and Embed anything. See [Content blocks](https://formstep.io/docs/building-forms/content-blocks/).

- Layout: 2 Columns and Page Break (see [Form structure](https://formstep.io/docs/building-forms/form-structure/)), Repeating Group (see [Repeating groups](https://formstep.io/docs/building-forms/repeating-groups/)), and Thank You Page (see [Thank-you page & redirect](https://formstep.io/docs/building-forms/custom-thank-you/)).

- Logic and data: [Logic](https://formstep.io/docs/building-forms/conditional-logic/) shows, hides, requires, and jumps. [Hidden fields](https://formstep.io/docs/building-forms/hidden-fields/) and [calculated fields](https://formstep.io/docs/building-forms/calculated-fields/) hold values. [AI Validation](https://formstep.io/docs/building-forms/ai-validation/) checks answers against a rule you write.

## Next steps

[Question settings](https://formstep.io/docs/building-forms/field-configuration/) — The settings and rules each question has

[Content blocks & formatting](https://formstep.io/docs/building-forms/content-blocks/) — Headings, text, images and tables between questions