> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.orbitforms.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Creating Forms

> Learn how to create, configure, and publish forms in OrbitForms.

Learn how to create, configure, and publish forms in OrbitForms.

## Creating a New Form

To create a new form, navigate to the **Forms** page in your dashboard and click the **Create Form** button. You'll be guided through the setup process.

### Step 1: Choose a Form Type

Select between a **Standard Form** or an **Orbit Flow**:

**Standard Form**

All questions visible on one page. Best for detailed forms, applications, and when users need context from multiple fields at once.

**Orbit Flow**

One question at a time. Best for lead capture, surveys, and when you want higher completion rates with a conversational feel.

### Step 2: Name Your Form

Give your form a name and optionally a custom slug. The slug determines your form's URL:

```
https://orbitforms.ai/r/your-form-slug
```

<Tip>
  **Tip: Use Descriptive Slugs**

  Choose slugs that describe your form's purpose, like "contact-us" or "demo-request". This improves SEO and makes links more trustworthy.
</Tip>

## The Form Editor

The form editor is where you build and customize your forms. It consists of three main areas:

* **Field Panel (Left)** — Add new fields to your form. Drag and drop to reorder. Click a field to edit its settings.
* **Preview (Center)** — See a live preview of how your form will look to users. Changes update in real-time.
* **Settings Panel (Right)** — Configure field properties, form settings, styling, and after-submission behavior.

## Saving and Publishing

Your form is automatically saved as you make changes. To make it accessible to users, you need to **publish** it:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Click Publish">
    Click the Publish button in the top right corner of the editor
  </Step>

  <Step title="Confirm">
    Confirm that you're ready to make the form live
  </Step>

  <Step title="Live">
    Your form is now accessible at its public URL
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Note>
  **Unpublished Changes**

  If you make changes to a published form, the live version won't be affected until you publish again. This lets you test changes before they go live.
</Note>

## Form States

Forms can be in different states:

| State         | Description                                 |
| ------------- | ------------------------------------------- |
| **Draft**     | Form is being edited and not yet published  |
| **Published** | Form is live and accepting submissions      |
| **Closed**    | Form is no longer accepting new submissions |

***

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Form Fields" icon="layers" href="/guides/form-fields">
    Learn about all field types
  </Card>

  <Card title="Styling & Branding" icon="palette" href="/guides/styling">
    Customize your form's look
  </Card>
</CardGroup>