Should I use Trigger Groups or Display Groups on a Form?
Trigger Groups are an older feature replaced by Display Groups. What each one does, and how to fix a field locked by a Trigger Group.
Key Points
Trigger Groups are an older Form feature that has been replaced by Display Groups. Use Display Groups for any new or updated form.
A Trigger Group locks a field until another field is answered. A Display Group hides fields completely until a matching dropdown option is chosen, which keeps forms shorter and easier to fill in.
A Field Group only adds colour to fields in the Form Editor so they're easier to find while you build the form. It doesn't change what staff see when they fill in the form.
If staff see a red circle with a line through it when they hover over a field, that field is locked by a Trigger Group on an older form.
Use Display Groups instead of Trigger Groups
Trigger Groups are outdated. If you want fields to appear only when they apply, set up a Display Group. See How do I show or hide fields on a Form using Display Groups?
| Setting | What staff see | Use it? |
|---|---|---|
| Display Group | The field is hidden until a matching dropdown option is chosen. | Yes. This is the way to show follow-up questions only when they apply. |
| Trigger Group | The field is visible but locked until the trigger field is answered. | No. It's an older feature. Change old forms to Display Groups. |
| Field Group | No change. Colours only show in the Form Editor. | Optional, to colour-code fields while building a long form. |
Staff can't type in a field
Hover over the field. If a red circle with a line through it appears, the field is locked by a Trigger Group. Answer the field it depends on first. To stop this happening, edit the form, remove the field from the Trigger Group and use a Display Group instead.