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Form Builder - Text and Data Field Fonts

Purpose Statement

The purpose of this Knowledge Base article is to demonstrate how to change fonts in Text fields, Data Fields, and Custom Data Fields (dtf_tag) using the Form Builder. These font customization capabilities allow users to enhance the visual presentation and readability of forms across the First Due platform, particularly within the Invoicing Module's Text Block functionality.

Background Information

Font customization in Form Builder provides administrators and form designers with the ability to create visually consistent and professional-looking forms that align with department branding and improve user experience. This feature is particularly valuable for external-facing documents such as invoices, permits, and inspection reports where professional presentation is essential. The font settings apply to both static text elements and dynamic data fields that populate with information from the First Due system.

Required Permissions

To modify fonts in Form Builder, users must have:

  • Form Builder access permissions
  • Edit permissions for the specific module (e.g., Invoicing Module)
  • Administrative or supervisor-level access to modify form templates

Video


Step-by-Step Guide




1.  Create a new form or select edit to edit an existing form.






2. Hover mouse over in the left margin at the current block and select the + sign to add a Multi Data Field List Block under the current Block.






3. Select Tune (#1) and then Text (#2) from the drop-down menu.
  1. If you have previously added text, skip to step 7.






4. Select "Add Data Field" (#3) to add a data field to your form.
  1. Make sure your curser is in the correct location before adding the Data Field.



5. Select "Tt" (#4) to add a Custom Data Field to your form.

6. Tune Options:
  1. Convert to: List, Quote, Checklist
  2. Justification - Left, Center, Right
  3. Move up and down, or delete (select the X 2 times).
7. Highlight the text and/or dtf_tag (#1) for the Font change and then select Font Family (#2).







8. Select the desired font.
  1. NOTE: OCR-A font restriction: This font will only be available in regular font style. If the user selects bold or italic, it will still appear regular.






6. Example form with the Font updated (Playfair Display):



Best Practices

  • Consistency: Use the same font family throughout similar document types to maintain professional appearance
  • Readability: Choose fonts that remain clear and legible when printed or viewed on mobile devices
  • Department Branding: Select fonts that align with your department's official documentation standards
  • Testing: Preview forms with different font selections before finalizing to ensure optimal appearance
  • Backup Planning: Keep note of font selections used across different forms for consistency maintenance

Troubleshooting & FAQs

Q: Why does my OCR-A font appear regular even when I select bold or italic? A: OCR-A font has a built-in restriction that limits it to regular font style only. This is a system limitation designed to maintain the font's optical character recognition properties.

Q: Can I use different fonts within the same form? A: Yes, you can apply different fonts to individual text elements and data fields within the same form by highlighting each element separately and applying font changes.

Q: My font changes aren't appearing in the final form. What should I check? A: Verify that you've highlighted the correct text/dtf_tag before applying font changes, and ensure you have proper edit permissions for the form template.

Q: Are there restrictions on which fonts I can use? A: Font availability depends on the fonts installed in the Form Builder system. Contact your system administrator if you need access to specific fonts not currently available.