Adding fields is how you turn a static file into a workflow that gathers the right data the first time. In SignNow, you can drop in signatures, dates, initials, text inputs, checkboxes, radio button groups, and dropdowns—then assign each field to the correct recipient, set what’s required, and add basic validations to cut errors.
This is perfect for NDAs, sales contracts, onboarding forms, compliance attestations, and any repeatable document. You’ll speed up turnaround, reduce back-and-forth, and keep your records clean. In this guide, you’ll learn where to find the field tools, how to place and align fields, assign them to roles, preview the signer experience, and save your setup as a reusable template.
Upload your form to SignNow first. Click here to learn more about uploading options.
Once the form is uploaded, you will automatically be redirected to the editing mode. The Edit panel for recipients management opens automatically—add each signer (name and email), set the recipient type (Signer/Viewer/Approver), and add CC Recipients if necessary.
Recipient Types
Signer: the participant who will receive the invite and will be asked to fill out their portion of the form based on the fields assigned to their role.
Approver: the participant who will be asked to review and approve the invite before it is further sent to other parties (based on the signing order set on the Invite Page). The next recipient won’t receive the invite if the approver declines the document.
Viewer: the participant who will be asked to open the form and view it; afterward, their part of signing will be marked as complete.
📝 The term 'recipients' refers to the people who will receive the same copy/instance of the form.
Fillable and Me (Fill Out Now) Fields. Field Formatting
There are two types of fields in SignNow: fillable and Fill Out Now. Click here to learn more about the field types and their difference. Use the left-side panel to add fillable and static fields; switch between recipients to place fields for every individual recipient on the form. To place a field, click on it and click on the form itself; alternatively, drag and drop the field onto the form.
📝 Check the text placement inside the field to line it up with your form. Use Ctrl/+ or command/+ to zoom into the form for better visibility. Open the Keyboard Shortcuts via the top right three-dot menu to check all shortcuts you can use for an easier editing experience.
Shortcuts
Show/Hide Keyboard Shortcuts | Shift+? |
Copy | Ctrl/command+C |
Paste | Ctrl/command+V |
Duplicate | Ctrl/command+D |
Add signature field | S |
Add text field | T |
Add date/time field | D |
Add calculated field | C |
Add initials field | I |
Add checkbox field | B |
Add radio button group | R |
Add dropdown field | L |
Add attachment field | A |
Add stamp field | F |
Add sender's signature | M |
Add sender's initials | N |
Add sender's stamp | P |
Add sender's text field | W |
Add sender's date field | O |
Add sender's checkbox | K |
Add line | X |
Download document | Ctrl/command+Shift+S |
Tab forward through fields | Tab |
Tab backward through fields | Shift+Tab |
Delete field | Delete or Backspace |
Undo | Ctrl/command+Z |
Redo | Ctrl/command+Shift+Z |
Zoom in | Ctrl/command++ |
Zoom out | Ctrl/command+- |
Fit to width | Ctrl/command+1 |
Add line break | Shift+Enter |
Deselect field / Close dialog window / Cancel | Esc |
📝 You can move multiple fields across your form at once. To move multiple fields at once, drag to select them, then drag the selection to reposition.
Field Formatting
Formatting options in SignNow include:
Fonts customization: Arial, Times New Roman, Courier New, Tahoma, Comic Sans MS
Font size: 8-72
Text decoration: bold, italic, underlined
Alignment: left, center, right
Color
Advanced Settings
Field-specific settings can be checked by clicking the field on the form and reviewing the right-side field settings panel. Some settings are universal for every field:
Unique name can be configured to easily identify the fields when setting up conditional fields or formulas.
Required setting ensures that the signer doesn't fill out the field they are not obligated to; for example, making the checkbox field non-required/optional ensures that the signer can leave the checkbox unchecked and still complete the signing process.
Add Conditional Rule — Show or hide fields based on answers to streamline the signer’s path. Click here to learn more.
Location — Place fields with pixel-level precision for perfect alignment on scanned or complex forms.
Save as Custom Field — Save a configured field and reuse it across forms for speed and consistency.
Duplicate — In one step, copy a field (with its settings) and drop it elsewhere on the form.
Text Field Settings
Pre-filled Text — Set a default value the signer can review and edit during signing. Reduces typing and guides accurate input.
Validation Type — Enforce formats (email, phone, ZIP, etc.) to keep data clean and reduce back-and-forth.
Resize Field — Control overflow: keep a fixed size or let the field expand to fit longer content while preserving layout.
Request Payment — Collect payment right in the signing flow. Available on numeric fields (look for the calculator icon). Click here to learn more.
Fit characters into individual boxes — One character per box for clear, structured input—great for SSN and similar IDs.
Set Characters Limit and Set Lines Limit — Cap how much text a signer can enter to maintain consistency (e.g., names, addresses).
Label — Use the same label on identical fields to auto-fill repeated info so signers don’t retype it.
Date/Time Field Settings
Pre-filled Date and Time — Set a default value the signer can review and edit during signing. Reduces typing and guides accurate input.
Format — Choose how the value displays:
MM/DD/YYYY,DD/MM/YYYY,DD/MM/YY,MON DD, YYYY,DD-MON-YYYY,HH:MM, orMM/DD/YYYY HH:MM:SS.Automatically fill out with the completion date and/or time — Automatically insert the signing session’s date and/or time when the document is completed (read-only for signers). Ensures the field always reflects the actual signing date/time.
Label — Use the same label on identical fields to highlight what date the signer needs to pick (date of birth, etc.).
📝 Date/time fields with identical labels are not auto-filled.
Signature/Initials Settings
Allowed Signature Types — Limit which methods signers can use for signatures/initials (Typed, Drawn, or Uploaded Image (for Signature field only) to meet compliance and consistency requirements.
Full Name & Email Settings
Full Name and Email are dynamic, Contact-linked fields. If the recipient already exists in your Contacts, they autofill from that record. If not, the info entered during signing is saved to create (or update) a contact—so future forms prefill automatically.
Pre-filled Full Name/Pre-filled Email — Set a default value the signer can review and edit during signing. Reduces typing and guides accurate input.
Resize Field — Control overflow: keep a fixed size or let the field expand to fit longer content while preserving layout.
Checkbox Settings
Pre-checked Checkbox — Set a default value (checked/unchecked) the signer can review and edit during signing.
Radio Buttons Settings
Radio Buttons (+Add Option) — To add more options to your Radio Button group. The values will be highlighted for the signer during the signing session.
Pre-selected Option — Set a default pre-selected value the signer can review and edit during signing.
Attachment Settings
Label — Use the same label on identical fields to highlight which type of file/document/ID/etc. the signer is required to upload.
Dropdown Settings
Dropdown Options (+Add Option; Add "Other" Option) — To add more options to your Dropdown field. The values will be shown to the signer during the signing session. When the Other option is enabled, the signer will be able to input their own answer into the field.
Stamp
Stamp field has no unique settings or properties; it can also only be made square in size.
Formula Settings
Formula settings — Set up formulas using fields with numeric validation. Start by typing a curly bracket { to add a field from the list below. Use +-/*() and numbers to create formulas.
Number of Decimals — Set how many decimal numbers are allowed after the decimal point.
Request Payment — Collect payment right in the signing flow. Available on numeric fields (look for the calculator icon). Click here to learn more.
Preview Signing Session
You can test the signing experience of the form you've set up by clicking the Open Preview option at the top right side of the editing mode.
You will be taken to a mock-up version of the signing session. Switch between different recipients and layouts (desktop/mobile) to see what your signers will see when opening the invite link. To review how the information looks after it’s been filled out, open the Preview Completed Document tab.
