Form Types and Form Elements Overview

Last updated: October 5, 2026

In Housing.Cloud, forms are essential tools for gathering information, managing requests, and streamlining various housing processes. Understanding the different form types, their elements, and the use of tags is key to creating effective forms that meet your institution’s specific needs. Tags allow you to categorize responses and automate resident assignments based on their selections. Whether you’re collecting housing applications, handling student requests, or gathering roommate preferences, utilizing these components ensures you can design forms that work seamlessly with your operations.

 

Types of Forms

The Housing.Cloud platform supports a variety of form types, each designed to meet specific needs:

  • Application Forms: Used for students to apply for housing during a housing cycle. These forms are tied to specific cycles and convert individuals into “Applicants” within Housing.Cloud when completed.

  • Task Forms: Admins can define custom “request types” like general requests, facility requests, or room change requests. A task form presents unique questions based on the request type—for instance, a facility request might ask, "What in the room is broken?" and "How severely is it damaged?"

  • Student Questionnaire Forms: These forms collect biodemographic information to assist with roommate matching. If your institution allows students to choose their roommates, students can make their questionnaires public for use during the roommate selection process.

  • Additional Forms: This category includes other forms that may be required by your institution, such as Emotional Support Animal requests, Vacation Stay forms, and more.

Learn how to create forms here.

 

Types of Form Elements

When building a form, various form elements allow for customized data collection. These elements include:

  • Text: Collects a single line of text (e.g., "First Name").
  • Radio: Offers a set of options where only one can be selected (e.g., "Preferred Room Type").
  • Dropdown: Allows users to choose one option from a list (e.g., "Building Preference").
  • Checks: Enables multiple selections (e.g., "Amenities Required").
  • Range: Allows users to select a value from a range of numbers (e.g., "Preferred Temperature Range").
  • File: Lets users upload documents (e.g., "Upload Proof of Residency").
  • Date: Collects a single date (e.g., "Move-in Date").
  • Date and Time: Allows selection of both a date and time (e.g., "Appointment for Room Viewing").
  • Static Text: Displays fixed text for instructions or information (e.g., "Application Instructions").
  • Inventory Preferences: Users select preferences from available options (e.g., "Building selections").
  • Social Media Link: Users provide a link to their social media profiles (e.g., "LinkedIn Profile").
  • Signature: Users can sign their name directly within the form using either touch or mouse input.

 

Tags in Forms

Tags allow housing administrators to categorize residents based on their application responses. By assigning tags to specific form elements, such as checkboxes or drop-downs, you can automatically apply tags to students based on their selections.

Tags can also be used to create conditional questions, dynamically displaying specific questions based on a student's assigned tags. This functionality personalizes the form experience and ensures students only see relevant content.

Learn more about using tags in forms here.