Field settings give you control over what clients can submit on a field-by-field basis. Instead of hoping clients provide the right information in the right format, you define the parameters and Gatheroo enforces them automatically.

Field settings are accessed via the settings panel (the gear icon) on any field in the request builder. What’s available depends on the field type.

File Upload settings

When you add a File Upload field, you can restrict what clients submit in three ways.

Gatheroo's File Upload field options

1. File count limits

Choose from four options:

  • No limit: clients can upload any number of files
  • Min count: require a minimum number of files before the field can be submitted
  • Max count: cap the number of files a client can upload
  • Range: set both a minimum and maximum file count

2. Allowed file types

Specify which file types you’ll accept. For example, .png, .pdf. Leave this blank to accept any file type. Enter multiple types separated by a comma.

3. Max file size

Set a maximum file size per file, in MB. This applies to each individual file uploaded, not the total.

Once settings are applied, they appear as tags directly on the field in the builder, so you can see at a glance what restrictions are in place without opening the settings panel again.

Text Area settings

Text Area fields can have character limits applied, giving you control over the length and quality of responses.

1. Character limits

Choose from four options:

  • No limit: clients can write as much or as little as they like
  • Min count: require a minimum number of characters before the field can be submitted
  • Max count: set a ceiling on how many characters can be entered
  • Range count: set both a minimum and maximum character count

 

Gatheroo's text area field can be set up to ensure clients answer the way you want them to

2. Default rows

Set the visible height of the text area: the number of rows displayed before the field starts scrolling. This controls how the field appears to the client without restricting how much they can write (unless a character limit is also set).

3. What clients see

As a client types, a live character counter appears below the field showing their current count against the limit. The field provides three clear status indicators:

  • Below minimum: the submit button is greyed out and the client is told how many more characters are needed
  • Approaching: a warning appears as they near the maximum
  • Reached: the field highlights in red and the client cannot type further

Below minimum characters:

Gatheroo's Text field option set to a minimum character count that has not yet been reached.

Maximum characters allowed almost reached:

Maximum characters allowed reached:

Setting parameters on your text answer field in Gatheroo allows you to control how long the answers need to be before being submitted

Clients know exactly where they stand before they try to submit, reducing back-and-forth and incomplete responses.

Name field settings

The Name field lets you control exactly which name parts appear on the form, and whether each one is required or optional.

Name parts

Click Name parts on the field to open the settings panel. For each part: Title, First name(s), Middle name(s), Last name, you can:

  • Show on form: tick to include that part in the field, untick to hide it entirely
  • Required / Optional: toggle whether that part must be completed before the field can be submitted

Build the name field to match exactly what your process needs. If title and middle name aren’t relevant, hide them. If first and last name are mandatory, require them. The client only sees what you’ve chosen to show.

What clients see when all the name parts are selected and nothing is toggled as being required

Name Field preview with all the parts selected and none required

What clients see when the prefix is deselected and the first and last names is toggled as required

Name Field preview without the prefix and first and last names required

Tips

  • Use file count ranges on document requests where you need a specific set. For example, requiring at least one and no more than three identity documents.
  • Use minimum character counts on open-text fields where a substantive answer is required. It prevents one-word responses where you need a full explanation.
  • Use the name parts settings to keep the client experience clean. Only show the fields your process actually uses.
  • Field settings appear as summary tags on each field in the builder, making it easy to review your configuration before publishing a request.
Field options that have been set can easily be seen on Gatheroo's request builder view

Some of the common questions we get about Field Settings:

1. Where do I find field settings in Gatheroo?

Field settings are accessed via the gear icon on any field in the request builder. Click the icon to open the settings panel for that field. What options are available will depend on the field type.

2. Can I limit the number of files a client uploads?

Yes. On any File Upload field, you can set a minimum file count, a maximum file count, or a range. You can also restrict which file types are accepted and set a maximum file size per file in MB.

3. Can I require a minimum length for a text response?

Yes. On any Text Area field, you can set a minimum character count, a maximum character count, or a range. Clients see a live counter as they type and are prevented from submitting until the minimum is met.

4. What happens when a client reaches the character limit on a text field?

Gatheroo provides three visual indicators as a client approaches the limit: Below minimum, Approaching, and Reached. When the maximum is reached, the field highlights in red and no further text can be entered.

5. Can I choose which parts of a name field are required?

Yes. The Name field has a Name parts settings panel where you can show or hide each component: Title, First name(s), Middle name(s) and Last name, and toggle each one between required and optional independently.