# Create a form

> Build a form in the Caramel editor, configure its fields and settings, and publish it in minutes.

Build a form from scratch using the form editor. Add fields, set a success message, configure notifications, and publish — all without code.

> **Plan** You can create up to 2 forms on Starter, 5 on Lite, 10 on Growth, 25 on Business, and unlimited on Enterprise. Submissions are unlimited on every plan. See [Usage and limits](../billing/usage-and-limits).

## Before you begin

- You need owner or manager access to your business account.
- Know what information you want to collect (email, phone, custom questions, etc.).

## Create a new form

1. Go to `/business/:id/forms`.
2. Click **New Form**.
3. Enter a **Name** for the form. This is internal — customers won't see it.
4. Optionally set a **Slug** (used in the form's public URL and embed code). Caramel generates one from the name; you can customize it.
5. Add a **Description** if you want internal notes.

<!-- screenshot: the Forms list page with the New Form button highlighted -->

## Add fields

1. Select the **Fields** tab in the editor.
2. Use the field controls to add each field your form needs. See [Fields and conditional logic](fields-and-logic) for a full list of field types.
3. For each field, set:
   - **Label** — the question or prompt shown to the visitor.
   - **Placeholder** — hint text inside the input (optional).
   - **Help Text** — a short note below the field (optional).
   - Toggle **Required** if the field must be filled before submitting.

<!-- screenshot: the Fields tab with several fields added and the label/placeholder inputs visible -->

## Configure form copy and messaging

1. Select the **General** tab.
2. Under **Copy & Messaging**, fill in:
   - **Headline** — large text shown at the top of the form.
   - **Subheadline** — supporting text below the headline.
   - **Button Text** — the submit button label (default: "Submit").
   - **Loading Text** — text shown while the submission is processing.
   - **Success Message** — what visitors see after a successful submission. Keep this short and friendly.

## Set up customer creation

When enabled, each submission automatically creates or updates a record in [Customers](../customers/index).

1. In the **General** tab, find the **Customer Creation** card.
2. Toggle on **Create customers from submissions**.
3. Map the form fields that contain the customer's name, email, and phone number using the dropdowns.

> **Tip** If your form doesn't collect email or phone, you can still enable customer creation — just leave those mapping fields blank.

## Configure branding

1. Select the **Branding** tab.
2. Toggle **Inherit branding** to use your business's global brand colors and font. This is on by default.
3. To customize per-form, turn **Inherit branding** off and set:
   - **Primary Color**
   - **Background Color**
   - **Font Family** — choose from Inter, Roboto, Open Sans, Lato, or Playfair Display.

## Set notifications

1. Select the **Notifications** tab.
2. Toggle **Email Notifications** to receive an alert when someone submits the form.
3. Choose the **Notification Channel**: **Email** or **Telegram**.
   - For Email: enter the **Notification Email** address.
   - For Telegram: enter the **Telegram Chat ID**.
4. Toggle **Include Submission Data** to attach the submitted field values to each notification.
5. Toggle **Double Opt-In** if you want submitters to confirm their email before the submission is recorded.

## Publish the form

1. Click **Save** at any point to save your progress without publishing.
2. When the form is ready, click **Publish**.
3. A confirmation dialog confirms the form is live.

> **Note** A form must be published (status: active) before it can accept submissions from the public embed or hosted link.

## Next steps

- [Embed your form](embed-your-form) — Add the form to your website.
- [Where submissions go](where-submissions-go) — Connect destinations and automations.
- [Form analytics](form-analytics) — Track performance once submissions start coming in.