This guide explains all available field types in the MotoCMS 4 Contact Form element, their purpose, configuration options, practical usage examples, and recommendations.

In order to customize a contact form (be it a horizontal, vertical or quick registration form), you need to hover it and click the settings chainwheel:

To add a new field to your Contact Form element, you need to navigate to the Layout tab of Contact Form Settings and click the "Add a field" button:

Each field settings are available by clicking the chainwheel (settings) button next to the field:

Available field types:

• Short text
• Long text
• Number
• Email
• Phone
• Name
• Dropdown
• Date
• Radio button
• Check box
• Attach file
• I accept
• Calculation result

Short Text

Purpose

The Short text field is used for collecting small amounts of text from users.

Best Used For

• First name
• Last name
• Company name
• Subject
• City
• Order number
• Website URL

Typical Characteristics

• Single-line input
• Compact appearance
• Fast data entry

Recommended Settings

• Enable "Required" for important information.
• Use clear placeholder text.
• Add validation rules when applicable.

Example

Label: Company Name

Placeholder: Enter your company name

Long Text

Purpose

The Long text field allows users to enter larger text blocks.

Best Used For

• Messages
• Comments
• Project descriptions
• Support requests
• Additional notes

Typical Characteristics

• Multi-line textarea
• Expandable content area
• Suitable for detailed responses

Recommended Settings

• Use clear labels.
• Consider setting character limits for support forms.
• Make required if detailed information is necessary.

Example

Label: Project Details

Placeholder: Describe your project requirements

Number

Purpose

The Number field accepts numeric values only.

Best Used For

• Quantity
• Age
• Budget
• Number of participants
• Order amount
• Measurements

Typical Characteristics

• Numeric-only input
• Prevents text entry
• Can be used in calculations

Recommended Settings

• Set minimum and maximum values if needed.
• Use validation to prevent invalid numbers.
• Combine with Calculation Result fields for estimates.

Example

Label: Estimated Budget

Placeholder: 5000

Email

Purpose

The Email field collects email addresses and validates formatting.

Best Used For

• Contact requests
• Newsletter forms
• Account inquiries
• Quote requests

Typical Characteristics

• Email format validation
• Helps reduce invalid submissions
• Mobile-friendly keyboard support

Recommended Settings

• Always mark as required for reply-based forms.
• Use descriptive labels.
• Add confirmation messaging after submission.

Example

Label: Email Address

Placeholder: name@example.com

Phone

Purpose

The Phone field is designed for phone number collection.

Best Used For

• Callback requests
• Customer support
• Booking forms
• Delivery contacts

Typical Characteristics

• Numeric-oriented input
• Optimized for mobile devices
• Easier phone entry experience

Recommended Settings

• Specify expected format in placeholder text.
• Use country codes for international websites.
• Make optional unless phone contact is required.

Example

Label: Phone Number

Placeholder: +1 (555) 123-4567

Name

Purpose

The Name field provides a dedicated user name input.

Best Used For

• Full name collection
• Customer identification
• Registration forms
• Service requests

Typical Characteristics

• User-friendly name input
• Cleaner structure for contact forms
• Simplifies visitor data collection

Recommended Settings

• Mark as required for business inquiries.
• Use clear formatting instructions if needed.

Example

Label: Full Name

Placeholder: John Smith

Dropdown

Purpose

The Dropdown field allows users to select one option from a predefined list.

Best Used For

• Service selection
• Country selection
• Department routing
• Package choice
• Priority level

Typical Characteristics

• Saves form space
• Standardized input
• Prevents inconsistent answers

Recommended Settings

• Keep option lists concise.
• Use logical ordering.
• Add a default placeholder option like: Please select

Example

Label: Select Service

Options:

• Web Design
• SEO
• Hosting
• Support

Date

Purpose

The Date field allows users to choose dates using a calendar picker.

Best Used For

• Appointment booking
• Delivery scheduling
• Event registration
• Reservation requests
• Deadline selection

Typical Characteristics

• Calendar-based selection
• Reduces formatting mistakes
• Improves usability

Recommended Settings

• Define date limits if applicable.
• Clarify expected timezone or format.
• Combine with time fields if necessary.

Example

Label: Preferred Appointment Date

Radio Button

Purpose

The Radio button field allows users to select a single option from multiple visible choices.

Best Used For

• Yes/No questions
• Plan selection
• Gender selection
• Delivery methods
• Simple preferences

Typical Characteristics

• All options visible at once
• Faster decision-making
• Only one option can be selected

Recommended Settings

• Keep the number of options small.
• Use short and clear labels.
• Prefer radio buttons over dropdowns for fewer than 5 options.

Example

Label: Preferred Contact Method

Options:

• Email
• Phone

Check Box

Purpose

The Check box field allows users to select multiple options.

Best Used For

• Interests
• Service combinations
• Feature selection
• Multi-choice preferences
• Agreement

Important! If you need an agreement checkbox linked to some page, please use "I agree" field type.

Typical Characteristics

• Multiple selections allowed
• Flexible response collection
• Simple interaction

Recommended Settings

• Clearly explain selectable options.
• Avoid overly long option lists.
• Group related choices together.

Example

Label: Services Needed

Options:

• Website Design
• SEO Optimization
• Maintenance
• Hosting

Attach File

Purpose

The Attach file field allows visitors to upload files together with their form submission.

Best Used For

• Resume uploads
• Project briefs
• Screenshots
• Documents
• Images
• Technical reports

Typical Characteristics

• File upload capability
• Supports customer attachments
• Useful for support and hiring forms

Recommended Settings

• Specify allowed file formats.
• Mention maximum upload size.
• Use only when truly necessary.
• Monitor server storage usage.

Example

Label: Upload Your Resume

I Accept

Purpose

The I accept field is a consent checkbox used for agreements and legal confirmations.

Best Used For

• Privacy Policy agreement
• Terms and Conditions acceptance
• GDPR consent
• Marketing permissions

Typical Characteristics

• Single checkbox confirmation
• Often required before submission
• Supports compliance requirements

Recommended Settings

• Link to Privacy Policy pages.
• Make required for compliance-related forms.
• Use clear and legally understandable wording.

Example

Label: I accept the Privacy Policy

Calculation Result

Purpose

The Calculation result field displays dynamically calculated values based on other form fields.

Best Used For

• Price estimators
• Loan calculations
• Service cost estimates
• Booking totals
• Quantity-based pricing

Typical Characteristics

• Formula-based calculations
• Automatic updates
• Interactive form experience

Recommended Settings

• Clearly define calculation formulas.
• Test all calculation scenarios.
• Use Number fields as calculation sources.
• Display currency or units where appropriate.

Calculation Formula

Defines the mathematical formula used to calculate the result automatically.

You can use:

• Form variables
• Numbers
• Mathematical operators:
  • + addition
  • - subtraction
  • * multiplication
  • / division
  • ( ) parentheses

Example: (width + height) * 3

This formula dynamically updates the result when users change related field values.

Default Value

Specifies the initial value displayed before users enter any data.

Typical uses:

• Starting from 0
• Displaying a base service price
• Preventing empty result fields

Example: 0

Text on Left of Result

Adds static text before the calculated value.

Useful for:

• Labels
• Descriptions
• Pricing indicators

Example: Total:

Displayed result: Total: 250

Text on Right of Result

Adds static text after the calculated value.

Useful for:

• Currency symbols
• Units
• Measurement labels

Example: USD

Displayed result: 250 USD

Recommended Settings

• Clearly define calculation formulas.
• Test all calculation scenarios.
• Use Number fields as calculation sources.
• Display currency or units where appropriate.
• Use descriptive left and right result labels for clarity.

Example

Scenario: A printing service form calculates total cost based on:

• Quantity
• Paper type
• Delivery option

Formula example: Quantity × Price per unit

General Contact Form Best Practices

Keep Forms Short

Only request information that is truly necessary.

Use Clear Labels

Visitors should immediately understand what each field expects.

Group Related Fields

Organize fields logically for easier completion.

Optimize for Mobile Devices

Ensure forms remain easy to use on smaller screens.

Use Validation

Prevent incomplete or invalid submissions.

Avoid Overusing Required Fields

Too many mandatory fields may reduce conversion rates.

Add Confirmation Messages

Always show successful submission feedback.

Recommended Field Combinations

Basic Contact Form

• Name
• Email
• Long text

Quote Request Form

• Name
• Email
• Phone
• Dropdown
• Long text
• Attach file

Booking Form

• Name
• Email
• Phone
• Date
• Radio button
• Long text

Survey Form

• Radio button
• Check box
• Dropdown
• Long text

Price Calculator Form

• Number
• Dropdown
• Calculation result

Troubleshooting Tips

Form Does Not Submit

Check:

• Integrations
• Required fields
• Validation rules
• File upload limits

Uploaded Files Fail

Check:

• File size limits
• Allowed file extensions (executable files won't be accepted).

Calculations Are Incorrect

Check:

• Formula syntax
• Field references
• Numeric field values

Conclusion

MotoCMS 4 Contact Form fields provide flexible tools for building:

• Contact forms
• Booking forms
• Quote request forms
• Surveys
• Calculators
• Support forms

Selecting the correct field type improves:

• User experience
• Data accuracy
• Conversion rates
• Form usability

Use this guide as a reference when creating professional and efficient forms in Moto4.