> **Source:** https://knowledge.leegality.com/document-execution/template/html-template/formatting-and-editing/small-textbox
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---
# Small Textbox

Small textboxes allow signers to enter short, single-line text input in your templates. Use small textboxes to collect information like names, email addresses, phone numbers, PAN numbers, or any other brief text-based data.

> **Info — When to Use Small Textbox**
>
> Use small textboxes for short inputs with a maximum of 1028 characters. If you need to collect longer, multi-line text, use **[Large Textbox](https://knowledge.leegality.com/document-execution/template/html-template/formatting-and-editing/large-textbox)** instead.

## Create & add small textbox

Follow these steps to insert a small textbox into your template:

1. In the HTML Template editor, place your cursor where you want the textbox to appear.
2. On the toolbar, click **Small Textbox**.
3. The configuration popup will open with two tabs:
   - **Basic tab:** Configure the group name, field name, and placeholder text
     - **Select Group:** Choose an existing group or create a new one
     - **Group Name:** Name for auto-filling the same information across multiple textboxes
     - **Name:** Unique identifier for this textbox (not visible to signers)
     - **Placeholder:** Helper text that appears inside the textbox
   - **More Options tab:** Control textbox behavior and appearance
     - **Maximum Character Limit:** Restrict the number of characters (up to 1028)
     - **Type:** Choose Text or Number input
     - **Mandatory Field:** Require signers to fill this field
     - **Boxed Field:** Display characters in individual boxes
4. Configure your textbox settings (explained in detail in the sections below).
5. Click **OK**.

> **Tip — Use Helpful Placeholders**
>
> Provide clear placeholder text with examples or formatting guidance to help signers understand what to enter. For example: "Enter your full name", "name@example.com", or "+91 98765 43210".

## Understanding groups and auto-fill

Grouping textboxes allows you to auto-fill the same information across multiple fields in your document. When textboxes are in the same group, filling one field automatically fills all other fields in that group.

**Why use groups?**

Use groups when you need the same information to appear in multiple places in your document. For example:
- Name appearing in the header and multiple times in the document body
- Email address needed in different sections
- Phone number required in multiple locations

**How it works:**

When a signer fills in one textbox in a group, all other textboxes in that same group are automatically populated with the same value. This saves time and ensures consistency.

> **Warning — Important**
>
> All textboxes in the same group should have the same **Type** (Text or Number). If you mix types:
> - Filling a **Text** field won't populate **Number** fields (Number type only accepts numeric input)
> - Filling a **Number** field WILL populate **Text** fields (Text type accepts both text and numbers)
> 
> **Best practice:** Always use the same type for all fields in a group to avoid confusion and ensure proper auto-fill behavior.

> **Tip — Use Grouping Wisely**
>
> Only group fields that should contain the exact same information. Don't group different fields together just for organisation purposes. Grouping is specifically for auto-filling repeated information.

## Configure small textbox options

Use the **More Options** tab to customise the behavior and appearance of your small textbox.

### Set character limit

Control the maximum number of characters allowed in the textbox:

1. Open the textbox configuration popup (or right-click an existing textbox and select **Text Field Properties**).
2. Go to the **More Options** tab.
3. In the **Maximum Character Limit** field, enter your desired limit (up to 1028).
4. Click **OK**.

> **Warning — Character Limit**
>
> The Small Textbox has a hard limit of 1028 characters. If you need to collect more text, use a **[Large Textbox](https://knowledge.leegality.com/document-execution/template/html-template/formatting-and-editing/large-textbox)** instead.

> **Tip**
>
> Set appropriate character limits based on expected input length to prevent overly long entries and improve data quality.

## Choose input type

Restrict what type of data signers can enter:

1. Open the textbox configuration popup (or right-click an existing textbox and select **Text Field Properties**).
2. Go to the **More Options** tab.
3. In the **Type** dropdown, select:
   - **Text:** Allows letters, numbers, and special characters (default)
   - **Number:** Allows only numeric input
4. Click **OK**.

**When to use Number type:**
- Phone numbers
- Age or quantity fields
- Numeric codes
- Any field requiring numbers only

> **Tip**
>
> Using the Number type prevents invalid input and improves data quality by ensuring signers can only enter numbers.

## Enable boxed field

Display each character in its own separate box:

1. Open the textbox configuration popup (or right-click an existing textbox and select **Text Field Properties**).
2. Go to the **More Options** tab.
3. Check the **Boxed Field** checkbox.
4. Click **OK**.

**When to use Boxed Field:**
- PAN numbers
- Account numbers
- Reference codes
- Serial numbers
- Any input where individual characters need emphasis

## Make field mandatory

Require signers to fill in the textbox:

1. Open the textbox configuration popup (or right-click an existing textbox and select **Text Field Properties**).
2. Go to the **More Options** tab.
3. Check the **Mandatory Field** checkbox.
4. Click **OK**.

Signers will be unable to complete the document until they fill in this field.

**When to use:**
- Required personal information
- Mandatory contact details
- Essential identifiers

> **Tip**
>
> Only mark fields as mandatory when they are truly required. Too many mandatory fields can frustrate signers.

## Manage & edit textboxes

After placing textboxes in your template, you can modify, move, or duplicate them as needed.

### Change textbox properties

To edit an existing textbox:

1. **Right-click** on the textbox inside the editor.
2. Select **Text Field Properties** from the menu.
3. Modify any settings (group, name, placeholder, character limit, type, or field options).
4. Click **OK** to save your changes.

> **Info — Note**
>
> All the original settings (group, name, placeholder, character limit, type, mandatory field, and boxed field) will be visible and editable when you access Text Field Properties.

### Move or duplicate a textbox

To move or copy a textbox to a different location:

1. Select the textbox you want to perform the action.
2. **Right-click** the textbox.
3. Select **Cut** (to move) or **Copy** (to duplicate).
4. Move your cursor to the new location.
5. **Right-click** and select **Paste**.

## Preview your textboxes

1. Locate the **Preview** button in the bottom-left corner of the editor.
2. Click **Preview** to view how your template will appear to signers.
3. Test the textbox functionality:
   - Try entering text to verify character limits work correctly
   - If using Number type, confirm only numbers can be entered
   - If using Boxed Field, check that characters appear in separate boxes
   - Verify mandatory fields cannot be skipped
4. Exit preview mode and make any necessary adjustments.

> **Tip**
>
> Always preview your textboxes after creation to ensure they work as expected and provide a good user experience.