Default answers let you pre-populate specific form questions with a value so they appear already selected or filled in when a respondent opens the form. This reduces friction, speeds up completion and standardises common responses — while still letting the respondent change the answer before submitting.
Default answers are configured in the Forms builder and apply at the individual question or block level. They never lock an answer: defaults are pre-selected but always editable.
What this feature does
- Sets a default answer on specific form questions.
- Pre-selects or pre-fills those answers when a respondent opens the form.
- Lets respondents keep the default or change it freely.
- Improves speed and consistency for commonly used responses.
Supported question and block types
Default answers are available on the following types:
- Single Choice questions
- Multi Choice questions
- Text questions
- Number questions
- Date questions
- Transaction blocks (for example, default donation amounts)
Setting a default answer
- Open the Forms feature.
- Open the specific form you want to edit.
- Select a supported question or block on the canvas.
- Open the settings panel on the right-hand side.
- Locate the Set default value for this block option.
- Enable the default value option.
Configuring the default value by type
The way you enter the default depends on the question type:
- Single Choice — select the option that should be pre-selected by default.
- Multi Choice — tick one or more checkboxes to define the default selected options.
- Text — enter the default text in the text area provided.
- Number — enter the default numeric value.
- Date — select or enter the default date.
- Transaction blocks — set a default value such as a commonly used donation amount.
When you have set the defaults you need, Save the form.
How default answers appear to respondents
- A respondent opens the form to complete it.
- Any question with a default value appears already pre-selected or pre-filled.
- The respondent can leave the default unchanged, or modify it.
- The form is then submitted as normal.
Where and how defaults apply
- Default answers apply only to the specific form and question where they are set — they do not carry across to other forms.
- They are commonly used for donation forms, frequently selected options and standard dates.
- They improve completion rates and reduce repetitive input.
- Defaults never lock answers; the respondent always retains control to change them.
FAQs
Which question types support default answers?
Single Choice, Multi Choice, Text, Number, Date questions, and Transaction blocks.
Can respondents change a default answer?
Yes. Defaults are pre-selected but fully editable before submission.
Where do I set default answers?
In the right-hand settings panel when editing a question in the form builder, via the Set default value for this block option.
Do default answers apply to all forms?
No. They apply only to the specific form and question where they are configured.
Why use default answers?
They streamline completion, reduce respondent effort, and standardise common responses.