Create and set a Default Form Page (DFP)

Misty Flowers

May 27, 2021 17:43

A Default Form Page (DFP) is a single branded landing page that automatically displays any form shared via direct URL, eliminating the need to create a separate page for every form. It's set up in Composer with a Forms element, then designated in Domain Settings as the form landing page.

💡Quick answers

What is a Default Form Page and why use one? A single branded Composer page that automatically displays any form shared via direct URL, so you don't need to create a new page for each form. All forms inherit your site's styling.
Creating the Default Form Page in Composer? Navigate to Composer > Pages > Utility branch > three-dot menu > New Page, name it "Default Form Page," and save.
What must be added to the Default Form Page to make it work? A Forms element from the Composer element library; configure it to display forms dynamically. Also hide the page from navigation in Page Settings.
Where do you set the Default Form Page as the site's form landing page? In Domain Settings > Landing Pages tab; select the Default Form Page you created next to the form landing page setting.
Does the Default Form Page work across multiple domains? No; even if a site has multiple domains, the Default Form Page always uses the landing page for the first domain listed in Composer. Use branding that applies across your whole organization.

Simplify your form sharing process with a branded, reusable landing page. This guide walks you through setting up a Default Form Page (DFP) that automatically displays any form shared via direct URL.

This article refers to our newest product, Forms, which is available to you in your modules list. You may be a Legacy Forms Manager user which has a different set of help documentation.

Not sure? Please review "Which forms module do I have: New Forms or Legacy Forms Manager?"

What is a Default Form Page (DFP)?

The Default Form Page is a single, branded landing page used to display any form shared via direct URL. It eliminates the need to create a new page for each form and ensures that all forms inherit your site’s styling and layout.

Important Note

Even if your site has multiple domains, the Default Form Page will always use the landing page for the first domain listed in Composer. Use branding that applies across your organization.

Step 1: Create a Default Form Page in Composer

Navigate to Composer > Pages from left navigation.
Have more than one domain? Expand out your district or top-level domain.
Open your Utility branch.
Click the three-dot menu for the Utility branch and select New Page.
Name the page "Default Form Page".
Click Save.

default form page.png

Step 2: Set up your Default Form Page

In this step, you will configure the following details on your new page

add Forms element and configure its settings
configure Page Settings
configure Page layout and appearance settings

Add and configure a Forms element

First you will add a Forms Element to your new page and configure the settings for the element that will pull in and display any form that is shared with a URL with your community.

Go into Edit or Compose mode on your new page, deleting the default Content element.
Open the Element Library by clicking ADD ELEMENT TO COLUMN > Module Elements tab > add a Forms element.

Form vs Forms Element

Be sure to select the NEW Forms element. The Form element is only for users of our legacy version of Forms Manager.

In the new Forms element, click the settings gear to configure the following setting:
- Title: Toggle off the title.
- Override Page Title and SEO Metadata: Check the box next to this setting.
- You don't need to select a form, as it will dynamically display based on the form's direct URL.

Configure Page Settings

Configure Page Settings: In the bottom right corner of your page, click the settings gear to open Page Settings to configure the following page visibility settings:

Check the following boxes:
- Hide from Navigation Elements
- Hide from Internal Site Search
- Hide from External Search Engines

dfp page settings.png

Configure Page layout and appearance settings

Now, you will need to add a Header, Footer, and Theme to this new page to ensure that when visitors open the form, that they see the same styling as is visible on your other website pages.

Click the Page layout and appearance menu next to the Compose button.
Select the Header, Footer, and Theme that you want to display on pages that forms are opened up onto.

Once you have finalized all the parts of Step 2, click Save, and then Publish to make your new Default Form Page live.

Step 3: Set new DFP as Form Landing Page in Domain Settings

Once your form page is ready, you can set it as the Flr sanding page in Domain Settings.

Navigate to your site's Domain Settings by clicking on the three-dot menu next to your domain name.
In the Landing Pages tab, navigate to the Form Page option.
If there is a Default Systems Page selected, click the - symbol to remove it.
Click Select Page to choose your new Default Form Page.
Click Apply to save the changes.

form_landing_page_in_domain_settings_with_emphasis_on_the_utility_branch_and_form_page_selection.png

Step 4: Share and test your form

Once your Default Form Page is set, it will automatically be used for any forms created with the Forms module across your organization. This means every form shared via direct URL will display on your branded, reusable landing page with no extra setup required.

To test it out:

Navitgate to the Forms module. Select and open any form.
Click the Share Form button in the bottom right corner. Copy the direct URL from the window that appears.
Or, you can click the Preview (eyeball) icon to view how the form appears on your Default Form Page.

Now that you have created and set your Default Form Page, when someone visits the shared link, the form will display with your site’s styling and layout, giving them a seamless, professional experience.