The openSIS application form builder allows institutions to create admission forms using a drag-and-drop interface. Administrators can add existing applicant fields, insert basic form elements, organize information into multiple pages, customize the form’s appearance, preview the applicant experience, and prepare the form for publication.

Before creating a form, determine what information the institution needs to collect and whether the form will serve as a primary application, a supplemental form, or a direct-enrollment form.

Navigate to Application Forms

1. Log in to openSIS.
2. Select the required school and academic year.
3. From the left navigation menu, expand Admissions.
4. Select Application Forms.
5. Select Add Application Form.

Navigation: Admissions > Application Forms > Add Application Form

Enter the requested form information and continue to the form builder.

Understand the Form Builder

The form builder contains two main panels:

• The left panel contains the Field Manager and Basic Elements.
• The main workspace displays the application form being created.

The top of the builder provides options for:

• Communicating Email Address
• Customize
• Conditions
• Preview
• Save & Publish

Additional configuration options are available above and below the form workspace.

Use the Field Manager

The Field Manager contains applicant fields that are already defined in openSIS. These fields are grouped into categories to make them easier to locate.

Available categories may include:

• General Info
• Address & Contact
• Applicant’s Primary Contact
• Applicant’s Secondary Contact
• Institution-defined custom categories

Expand a category to view its fields. Depending on the available configuration, the General Info category may contain fields such as:

• Name
• Preferred or Common Name
• Previous or Maiden Name
• District ID
• State ID
• Admission Number
• Roll Number
• Social Security Number
• Other Government-Issued Number
• Date of Birth
• Gender
• Race
• Ethnicity
• Marital Status
• Country of Birth
• Nationality
• First Language

Custom application categories and fields are configured under:

Settings > Admissions > Application Form Fields

Once configured, those categories and fields become available in the Field Manager for use in application forms.

Search for a Field

Use the search option at the top of the Field Manager when the list contains many fields.

1. Select the search field.
2. Enter the field name or part of the name.
3. Review the matching fields.
4. Drag the required field into the form.
5. Clear the search to return to the complete list.

Fields that already appear in the form may be unavailable or visually disabled in the Field Manager, helping prevent the same system field from being added unnecessarily.

Add Fields to the Form

The form builder follows a drag-and-drop method.

1. Open the appropriate Field Manager category.
2. Locate the required field.
3. Drag the field from the left panel.
4. Drop it in the required position within the form workspace.
5. Repeat the process for the remaining fields.
6. Review the order in which the fields will appear to applicants.

Organize fields in a logical sequence. For example, identification information should generally appear before address, contact, and supplemental details.

When possible, group related fields together so applicants can understand what information is being requested.

Use Basic Elements

Select the Basic Elements tab to add informational or custom-response elements that are not tied directly to an existing applicant field.

The available elements include:

• Heading: Adds a title or section heading.
• Paragraph: Adds instructions, explanations, or supporting information.
• Divider: Separates sections visually.
• Link: Adds a link to an external resource or relevant page.
• Short Text: Collects a brief written response.
• Long Text: Collects a longer written response.
• Number: Collects a numeric response.
• Dropdown: Allows the applicant to select one option from a list.
• Checkbox: Allows the applicant to select or confirm an option.
• Coded Pull-down: Adds a selection field based on configured coded values.
• Date: Collects a date.
• Multiple Select Box: Allows more than one option to be selected.
• File Upload: Allows the applicant to attach a document.
• Signature: Collects the applicant’s signature.
• Terms & Conditions: Presents conditions that the applicant must review and acknowledge.

To use an element, drag it from the Basic Elements panel and drop it into the required location on the form.

Configure its label, instructions, options, required status, or other available properties after adding it.

Organize the Form into Pages

Long application forms can be divided into multiple pages.

1. Scroll to the bottom of the current form page.
2. Select Add New Page.
3. Add the required fields and elements to the new page.
4. Repeat the process if additional pages are required.
5. Preview the complete form to verify the page sequence.

Multiple pages can make a detailed form easier to complete. Keep related information on the same page and avoid creating pages with only one unnecessary field.

Select the Communicating Email Address

The Communicating Email Address option determines which applicant-related email address will be used for admissions communication.

Available options may include:

• Applicant
• Applicant’s Primary Contact
• Applicant’s Secondary Contact

Select the option that matches the person who should receive the configured admissions emails.

The Primary Contact or Secondary Contact option may only be available when the related contact fields are included and properly configured in the application form.

Customize the Form

Select Customize to modify the form’s appearance. Use the available customization settings to align the form with the institution’s preferred presentation.

After applying visual changes:

1. Preview the form.
2. Check headings, field labels, spacing, and page flow.
3. Confirm that all instructions remain readable.
4. Review the form on the available screen sizes, if applicable.

Customization should support clarity and should not make the form difficult to read or complete.

Preview the Application Form

1. Select Preview at the top of the builder.
2. Review the form from the applicant’s perspective.
3. Move through every page.
4. Verify required fields and selection options.
5. Test file-upload, signature, and terms-and-conditions elements when applicable.
6. Return to the builder and correct any issues.

Previewing does not submit an actual application.

Review the Form Before Publishing

Before saving and publishing, confirm that:

• The form has a clear purpose and name.
• Required applicant fields are included.
• Fields are arranged logically.
• Instructions are easy to understand.
• Contact information is collected where necessary.
• The communicating email recipient is correct.
• Conditional logic is working.
• Enrollment and linking options are appropriate.
• Fees, subscriptions, and privacy notes are configured when required.
• Every page has been previewed.

The publication process is explained separately in Publish and Share an Application Form.