In SignNow, each field—signature, initials, date, text, checkbox, dropdown, and more—can be marked required or left optional. Required fields ensure you always collect critical information (e.g., a signature, today’s date, an invoice total) and prevent completion until the signer fills them in. This boosts data quality, cuts rework, and supports compliance and audit readiness. Optional fields, on the other hand, reduce friction by letting signers skip nice-to-have details (like a secondary phone or notes), which can improve completion rates—especially on mobile. The sweet spot is a clear, minimal set of required fields plus optional fields for context.

Fields you set as optional in the SignNow edit mode won’t be required during the signing session. Checkboxes are optional by default; if you mark a checkbox as required, the signer must select it to complete the document.

To make a field optional, click on it to open the right-side field settings panel and deselect the Required setting.

Fields highlighted in red in the signing session on desktop and mobile web are required to fill out. Optional fields will be grey in color. The signer will not be able to complete the form without filling in all required fields.

By default, required fields only. However, this can be reconfigured by both signers and senders.

The signer can click on the More Actions button and deselect the Go Through Required Fields to be guided through both required and optional fields in sequence.

Go to your Organization/Workspace settings and navigate to the Signing Settings. Click Change next to the Choose how signers will be guided through document fields and select one of the following options: