Getting started with the KoboToolbox Formbuilder

Last updated: 28 Aug 2025

The KoboToolbox Formbuilder is a user-friendly tool for designing and deploying data collection forms. This article provides a basic overview of its functions, from adding and managing questions to organizing your form.

To learn how to create a new form in KoboToolbox, see the KoboToolbox Quickstart overview.

Adding a question

To add a question to your form, click the button that is below every question. Enter your question label and click Add Question. Then, choose the question type.

For Select One or Select Many question types, add the response options below the question.

Note: Once the question type has been selected, it cannot be changed in the Formbuilder. To change the question type of an existing question, delete the question and create a new question with the same label.

Adding a question hint

A question hint provides additional instructions below the question text in the form. To add a question hint, click on Question hint below the question and type in your hint.

Duplicating a question

To duplicate a question, click Duplicate Question in the question menu on the right. An exact copy will appear directly below the original.

Deleting a question

To remove a question, click Delete Question in the question menu on the right. You will be asked to confirm before it is permanently deleted from your form.

Changing question settings

To access advanced question settings, click on Settings in the question menu on the right. Here, you can add skip logic, validation criteria, guidance hints, and make a question required.

To learn more about question settings, see Using the question options, Adding skip logic in the Formbuilder, and Adding validation criteria in the Formbuilder.

Adding questions to the library

To save a question for reuse in future forms, click Add Question to Library. It will be saved as a copy in your question library. You can modify or delete the original question in your form without affecting the copy in the library.

Grouping your questions

Questions can be grouped together to organize your form. Select questions using the CTRL key (Windows) or Command key (Mac), then click Create group with selected questions in the top left menu bar.

Changing the order of your questions

Questions and groups can be moved to any position in the form. Drag-and-drop a question or group from its current position to where you want it to go.

Previewing your form

After adding all questions to your form, click Preview form to see how it will appear once deployed.

Saving your form

As you edit your form, regularly click SAVE in the top right corner of your screen to ensure your work is saved. An asterisk (*) will appear next to the SAVE button when you have unsaved changes.