> 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/form-properties.md).

# Form properties

A form property is a configuration element used to define input fields or variables for start events and user tasks. 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.

The behavior of a form property is determined by the **Readable** parameter:

| Readable                   | Behavior                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
| -------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Clear (recommended)        | Creates a [configuration variable](/workflows/designing-workflows/forms/start-forms/configuration-variables.md) that you can later edit on the [workflow definition page](/workflows/managing-workflows-in-collibra/view-and-edit-workflow-definition-settings.md#variable) in Collibra. |
| Selected (not recommended) | Creates an individual input element that is part of a [dialog box](/workflows/creating-workflows/workflow-basic-configuration-elements/workflow-dialog-boxes.md) presented to the user before the workflow starts.                                                                       |

## Form property parameters

Form property parameters determine the value and class of the stored value for configuration variables. If used in a start form or user task (not recommended), they also determines the type of input that appears in the dialog box or task sidebar.

| Parameter                                         | Description                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              |
| ------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Id (required)                                     | <p>The unique ID of the form property. This is also the name of the workflow variable that contains the user-submitted value.</p><div data-gb-custom-block data-tag="hint" data-style="info" class="hint hint-info"><p>IDs cannot include special characters.</p></div>                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
| Name (recommended)                                | <p>The description of the configuration variable.</p><p>If used in a start form or user task (not recommended), the label that is displayed on the form, next to the property.</p>                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
| Responsibilities (required)                       | The [form property type](/workflows/designing-workflows/forms/start-forms/form-property-types.md).                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
| Expression (not used for configuration variables) | <p>Use an expression to show a value for this form.</p><div data-gb-custom-block data-tag="tabs"><div data-gb-custom-block data-tag="tab" data-title="Example" data-icon="glasses-round"><p><code>${1 > 2}</code> shows "False" for a Boolean.</p></div></div><div data-gb-custom-block data-tag="hint" data-style="info" class="hint hint-info"><p>You must clear the <strong>Writable</strong> parameter.</p><p>The class of the stored value for the expression result must match that of the property.</p><p>The form variable does not retain the shown value.</p></div>                                                                                                                                                            |
| Variable (not used for configuration variables)   | <p>Use a variable to show the value of that variable.</p><p>If you select the <strong>Writable</strong> parameter, the user can change the value of the variable.</p><div data-gb-custom-block data-tag="tabs"><div data-gb-custom-block data-tag="tab" data-title="Example" data-icon="glasses-round"><p><code>variableName</code> for a Boolean variable that has the value <code>false</code> shows "False". If the user selects <em>True</em> for this property, the value of <code>variableName</code> updates to <code>true</code>.</p></div></div><div data-gb-custom-block data-tag="hint" data-style="info" class="hint hint-info"><p>The class of the stored value for the variable must match that of the property.</p></div> |
| Default (mandatory for configuration variables)   | <p>The default value for the property.</p><div data-gb-custom-block data-tag="hint" data-style="info" class="hint hint-info"><p>You can also use variables, such as <code>${variableName}</code> or expressions, such as <code>${1 > 2}</code></p><p>The class of the stored value for the variable or the expression result must match that of the property.</p></div>                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
| Required                                          | <p>Whether it is mandatory to enter a value for the property.</p><div data-gb-custom-block data-tag="hint" data-style="success" class="hint hint-success"><p>Select this checkbox for configuration variables.</p></div>                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
| Readable                                          | <p>Whether the property is shown to the user.</p><div data-gb-custom-block data-tag="hint" data-style="success" class="hint hint-success"><p>Clear this checkbox for configuration variables.</p></div>                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
| Writable                                          | Whether the user can change the current value.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           |


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