Textarea Field Type
Textarea Field Type
Textarea fields capture multi-line text content for descriptions, instructions, and other detailed information.
Configuration Options
| Property | Description |
|---|---|
| Label | Name shown to users (e.g., "Special Instructions") |
| Placeholder | Helper text shown when empty |
| Default Value | Pre-filled text |
| Required | Whether field must be filled |
| Help Text | Additional guidance below the field |
Character Limits
- Maximum: 5,000 characters
- Minimum: 0 (empty if not required)
- Counter: Shows remaining characters as you type
Input Features
- Multi-line: Press Enter for new lines
- Scrollable: Scroll bar appears for long content
- Resizable: Drag corner to resize (in some browsers)
- Plain text: No rich text formatting
Validation
Textarea fields validate:
- Required fields: Cannot be empty
- Length: Cannot exceed 5,000 characters
- Format: No format validation (any characters allowed)
Best Practices
When to Use Textarea Fields
| Data | Use Textarea? |
|---|---|
| Special instructions | Yes |
| Directions | Yes |
| Notes | Yes |
| Descriptions | Yes |
| Names/codes | No (use Text field) |
| Phone numbers | No (use Phone field) |
Label Naming
- Be descriptive: "Special Instructions" not "Notes"
- Indicate purpose: "Gate Code Info" not "Code"
- Avoid generic terms: "Description" is often too vague
Placeholder Examples
| Label | Good Placeholder |
|---|---|
| Special Instructions | Enter any special instructions for the notary |
| Gate Code | Enter gate code and parking directions |
| Notes | Add any additional notes here |
Character Count Guidance
If you expect large amounts of text, mention the limit in help text:
- "Maximum 5,000 characters"
- "Keep under 5,000 characters"
Common Examples
| Label | Use Case |
|---|---|
| Special Instructions | Specific instructions for the notary |
| Gate Code | Entry codes, parking directions |
| Additional Notes | Extra information not captured elsewhere |
| Property Description | Details about the property |
| Contact Notes | Notes about client preferences |