Introduction to the AI Form Builder

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The AI Form Builder is FastField's new experience for creating mobile forms. This article explains what it is, how to start your first form, and how the builder is laid out.

What is the AI Form Builder?

The AI Form Builder lets you create a mobile form by describing it in plain words. The AI builds a mobile-ready form in seconds. You can also upload a PDF or take a photo of a paper form, and the AI converts it into a form.

The builder pairs an AI Assistant with a full set of form-building tools. You can work in two ways, and switch between them at any time:

  • Ask the AI Assistant to add fields, sections, and rules for you
  • Build and edit everything yourself with the panels, canvas, and toolbar

You stay in control the whole time.

 

Get started

When you create a new form, the AI Form Builder opens to a start screen. You can begin in several ways.

Ways to start a form

The start screen gives you several ways to begin:

  • Upload a PDF of a form
  • Take a photo of a paper form
  • Describe the form in plain words
  • Dictate a description with your voice
  • Choose a suggested form from the idea chips
  • Start from scratch with a blank form

Open the start screen

  1. Sign in to the portal.
  2. Go to My Forms.
  3. Create a new form.
  4. The AI Form Builder opens to the start screen.

The AI Form Builder start screen with a description box, idea chips, and buttons to upload a PDF, take a photo, or dictate.

Build from a PDF or photo

  1. Select Upload PDF to choose a file, or select Take photo to use your camera.
  2. Add the document or photo of your paper form.
  3. Select the send button.
  4. The AI reads the document and builds a matching form.

Note: Files must be 10 MB or smaller. Supported types are PDF, JPG, and PNG.

Describe your form in words

  1. In the text box, enter a description of the form you need. For example, enter Create a safety inspection form.
  2. Select the send button.
  3. Wait while the AI builds your form.

Dictate a description

  1. Select Dictate.
  2. Allow microphone access if your browser asks.
  3. Describe the form you want to build.
  4. Select the send button.

Use a suggested form

The start screen shows idea chips under the heading Start with one of these ideas and get inspired. Select a chip, such as Inspection Checklist or Work Order, to build that form.

Start from scratch

Select start from scratch to open a blank form. You then add pages, sections, and fields yourself, with the AI Assistant available whenever you need it.

 

Layout and panels

The builder has four main areas: a header across the top, a left panel, a center canvas, and a right panel. A floating toolbar sits at the bottom of the canvas.

Top header

The header spans the top of the builder. It holds:

  • Your form's name. Select the name to rename it or select the pencil icon.
  • The version and status, such as Draft or Version 2 Published. It also shows unsaved changes.
  • Save Draft and Publish buttons.
  • Back to Portal, which returns you to the portal.

Left panel

The left panel has two tabs:

  • AI Assistant—describe changes in plain language, and the AI builds or edits your form.
  • Add Fields—search and browse the field library, then add fields to your form.

You can collapse the left panel to give the canvas more room, then reopen it.

Canvas

The canvas in the center shows your form as you build it. At the top of the canvas, a toolbar holds:

  • A control to collapse or expand all sections.
  • A page pill that shows the current page. Use it to rename, add, delete, or move between pages.
  • A field search box to find any field in the form.

Your form appears on the canvas as pages, sections, and fields. Use the Add Section and Add Field controls to build it out.

Right panel

The right panel has two tabs:

  • Preview—see a live preview of your form in the web or mobile app, or scan a code to open it on your device.
  • Field Settings—change the settings for the field you select.

You can collapse the right panel and reopen it at any time.

 

Bottom toolbar

The floating toolbar at the bottom of the canvas holds form-level settings and tools, grouped into menus:

  • Settings—form settings, display options, and the dark mode toggle
  • Workflow—automated actions for your form
  • Reports—report templates
  • Actions—validate, duplicate, connect, export, and delete
  • Outline—a map of your form's pages and sections

On smaller screens, some menus move under a More menu.

The floating bottom toolbar with the Settings, Workflow, Reports, Actions, and Outline menus.

Next steps

Now that you know your way around, learn how to:

  • Build a form with the AI Assistant
  • Add and arrange fields
  • Organize a form into pages and sections
  • Preview and test your form

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