Users interact with your applications through forms, which contain such elements as text fields, check boxes, and radio buttons. In general terms, a form is a way of organizing the data that your users provide to the application. The fields on a form store user input, which can include single values or a value list.

For example, an insurance claim begins with a data collection step. Within the form for the step, you add a text field and a date field, so that the user can enter a detailed description about the claim and when it occurred.

Clear, consistent, and intuitive forms create the best user experience. Because forms represent work that needs to be done, it is important that they display only the fields that are useful to the user. Using the appropriate controls can also help you build a more intuitive interface. A check box is a good choice if you want to ask the user to subscribe to a newsletter, but it might be confusing when you use it to pick a single option from among several. To improve design consistency across your application, you can also embed existing forms in other forms.