> 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) | The unique ID of the form property. This is also the name of the workflow variable that contains the user-submitted value.
IDs cannot include special characters.
The description of the configuration variable.
If used in a start form or user task (not recommended), the label that is displayed on the form, next to the property.
|
| Responsibilities (required) | The [form property type](/workflows/designing-workflows/forms/start-forms/form-property-types.md). |
| Expression (not used for configuration variables) | Use an expression to show a value for this form.
${1 > 2} shows "False" for a Boolean.
You must clear the Writable parameter.
The class of the stored value for the expression result must match that of the property.
The form variable does not retain the shown value.
Use a variable to show the value of that variable.
If you select the Writable parameter, the user can change the value of the variable.
variableName for a Boolean variable that has the value false shows "False". If the user selects True for this property, the value of variableName updates to true.
The class of the stored value for the variable must match that of the property.
The default value for the property.
You can also use variables, such as ${variableName} or expressions, such as ${1 > 2}
The class of the stored value for the variable or the expression result must match that of the property.
Whether it is mandatory to enter a value for the property.
Select this checkbox for configuration variables.
Whether the property is shown to the user.
Clear this checkbox for configuration variables.