Web forms can streamline transactions like event registrations, program applications, award nominations and surveys.

Using the forms builder, you can customize  confirmation messages and set up email notifications so you never miss a submission. You can also bulk export entries or view them in your site’s admin dashboard.

WashU Web Theme forms are not HIPAA-compliant and should not be used to collect protected health information (PHI).
See the guidelines to appropriate communication of PHI »

In the WashU Web Theme, you create and manage forms through a third party plugin (tool) called Formidable Forms. We’ve pulled some of Formidable Form’s most useful tutorials and included them below. To view additional forms tutorials or search for something specific, please visit the Formidable Forms documentation website.

Jump to a section:


Activating forms (first time only)

The form building tool, Formidable Forms, is not automatically available. You must activate it.

  1. From your site’s dashboard, click Plugins in the left menu.
  2. Find Formidable Forms in the list of plugins, and click Activate.

Creating a form

Forms are created in a separate form builder, then added to pages. You’ll find the form builder in the left menu of your admin dashboard. (If it’s not there, check out the section above: Activating forms.)

These tutorials from Formidable Forms will help you get started:


Forms with file uploads

Do your users need to attach supporting files, such as photos, CVs or writing samples, to their form submissions? Unfortunately, forms that allow file uploads are a popular target for spam. Instead, we recommend asking your users to upload files to Box or email them to you directly. The method you choose depends on the type and number of files you plan to collect and your personal workflow preferences.


Electronic signatures

If you need to collect eSignatures, we recommend a tool called DocuSign, provided through WashU IT. DocuSign enables WashU employees and students to securely collect legally binding, HIPAA-compliant signatures electronically.


Adding a form to a page

Once you have created and published a form, you can insert it onto any page of your site.

To insert a form:

  1. Add a Forms block.
  2. Select the form from the list of forms you have already created.
  3. From the forms settings panel on the right, your can select a different form, or toggle the settings to show meta fields like the form title or description.

Customizing the confirmation message

After someone fills out a form on your site, the confirmation message provides instant assurance that their submission went through. You can personalize this message, perhaps providing next steps or suggesting further reading. By default, the confirmation message appears on the form page after the person clicks Submit.

Customizing the Confirmation Page for Submitted Forms

Let users know they’ve successfully submitted a form and that someone will be in touch.

Related Formidable tutorials:


Sending automatic email confirmations

In addition to the confirmation message generated when someone submits a form, it’s helpful  to also send the submitter an email summarizing their form submission and outlining next steps. 

You can customize the notification email with a personal message, like “Thank you for nominating a distinguished teacher! Awards will be announced at our annual ceremony in March. If you have any questions, call us at 314-XXX-XXXX.” You can even set up conditional logic so people receive different confirmation messages based on their form selections.

Sending Email Notifications for Submitted Forms

Set up submission notifications for admins and confirmation emails for submitters.

Related Formidable tutorials:


Receiving and viewing form submissions

You can access form submissions two ways: through email notifications and in the Formidable Forms module of your site’s dashboard.

Email notifications let you know right away when someone submits a form,preventing the need to constantly check your site for submissions. You can set each form to send a notification to any email address, or use conditional logic to send form submissions to different emails based on form selections.

You can also view form data right within your site’s dashboard,  or export all entries into a spreadsheet.

Sending Email Notifications for Submitted Forms

Set up submission notifications for admins and confirmation emails for submitters.

Viewing & Exporting Form Entries

Look at your form submissions individually or export them as a spreadsheet.