Ask for a short answer

Add an item to the checklist, set its type to Short answer and give it a name. Your client types one line of text on their upload page instead of uploading a file.

Steps

1. 1

   Open the checklist

   Short answers work in templates, in New request and in Edit checklist on a request.

2. 2

   Add an item

   Select Add document to under the category it belongs in, or select the pencil next to an item you already have.

3. 3

   Choose Short answer

   Change the item's type from Document to Short answer, and give it a name such as "Your tax ID".

4. 4

   Add a hint

   The Description becomes the hint your client sees under the box, for example "As shown on your passport".

5. 5

   Save

   Save the template or request as usual.

What your client sees

The item shows a labelled text box and a Save answer button. An answer is one line of text, up to 500 characters. After saving, your client sees their answer with an Edit link. Editing it while it's under review replaces the answer. Once you approve it, they can't change it.

Your client sees one of these labels next to the item:

• Not answered: still needed.
• Under review: answered and waiting for you to check it.
• Approved: you've accepted it.
• Needs a new answer: you asked again, and your note is shown with it.

Review an answer

On the request page and in the review panel, the answer appears in a read-only box with a Copy button.

• Approve accepts it.
• Ask again sends it back. You need to write a note to your client, which they see next to the item. They then answer again with the same link.

Earlier answers are listed under the item, like earlier versions of a file.

How short answers count

Short answers count as items, like documents. They count towards a request's progress, reminders list them as still missing until your client answers, and they appear on the Overview and in reports. When a request has at least one short answer, its counts say "items" instead of "documents".

Privacy

• Answers are encrypted when stored.
• They're deleted with the request's files at the end of the retention period, or when you select Delete files now. See How long files are kept.
• The ZIP of all files includes them in a file called answers.csv.
• The answer itself never appears in the activity feed, notifications, emails or webhooks. The answer.submitted webhook says an answer arrived, without the text.

Good to know

• A short answer has no file types or size limit.
• You can't change an item's type once your client has uploaded a file for it or answered it.
• One of the starter templates includes the short answer "Your National Insurance number".