> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://developer.collibra.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://developer.collibra.com/workflows/designing-workflows/forms/start-forms.md).

# Start forms

Start forms set the [process variables](/workflows/creating-workflows/workflow-basic-configuration-elements/process-variables.md) that your workflow requires. There are two types of variables you can define at the start of a workflow with different purposes:

| Type           | Purpose                                                                                                                      |
| -------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Form reference | Asking the user to confirm or provide information in a dialog box.                                                           |
| Form property  | Setting the workflow [configuration variables](/workflows/designing-workflows/forms/start-forms/configuration-variables.md). |

## Form properties

While the Workflow Designer supports form properties for backwards compatibility, use [form references](/workflows/designing-workflows/forms.md) when designing user tasks. Form references offer enhanced configuration options.

You should only use form properties to set configuration variables. You can use any [form type](/workflows/designing-workflows/forms/start-forms/form-property-types.md) that is not exclusively meant for user tasks. The properties you set for each start form determine how the workflow interprets them.

| Property | Configuration                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |
| -------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Default  | The default value of the process variable. All configuration variables must have a default value.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
| Required | <ul><li><p>Selected: You must provide a value for these variables to start the workflow. All configuration variables are considered required.</p><div data-gb-custom-block data-tag="hint" data-style="info" class="hint hint-info"><p>If you prefer to use a form property instead of the recommended form reference to display a start form dialog box, you must either provide a default value or select the <strong>Writable</strong> property.</p></div></li><li><p>Clear (default): Do not use this option for configuration variables.</p><div data-gb-custom-block data-tag="hint" data-style="info" class="hint hint-info"><p>In the context of a start form dialog box, this option allows you to start the workflow without providing a value for these variables.</p></div></li></ul> |
| Readable | <ul><li><p>Selected (default): Do not use this option for configuration variables.</p><div data-gb-custom-block data-tag="hint" data-style="info" class="hint hint-info"><p>If you prefer to use a form property instead of the recommended form reference, a dialog box appears before the start of the workflow. You must fill in the required information or accept the default values and submit them to start the workflow.</p></div></li><li>Clear: These variables become configuration variables. When you configure the start form, you must provide a default value for these variables.</li></ul>                                                                                                                                                                                      |
| Writable | <ul><li><p>Selected (default): You can edit the configuration variables on the <a href="/pages/gPFsTZadQBQsInhDAnmX">workflow definition page</a>.</p><div data-gb-custom-block data-tag="hint" data-style="info" class="hint hint-info"><p>If you prefer to use a form property instead of the recommended form reference to display a start form dialog box, the initiator can provide a value or overwrite the default value.</p></div></li><li>Clear: You cannot provide another value for these variables in the UI. You can still change the value with a script task.</li></ul>                                                                                                                                                                                                            |

{% hint style="info" %}
The term start form refers to both the start event forms and the dialog box that appears before the start of the workflow.
{% endhint %}