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Computer Forms

There are basic consistent building blocks used in computer forms. Once you understand these blocks, you will feel more comfortable filling out a form.

Forms are used for many purposes. Many are used on the Internet. You will fill out a form to get a free email account, to play a game, to make a purchase, to download software... Forms are also commonly used during hardware or software registration.

The sample form below is designed to show you each of the building blocks. This form does not actually collect information, it's just for practice.

This is a radio button.  Any time you see a group of circular buttons, you must click to put the dot in the choice you want.  You can only make one choice.  If you click on a second one, the first choice is no longer selected.  If the dot is already on the correct one, you don't need to click at all. Choose the selection that best indicates the type of person you are. Morning Person Better in the Afternoon Prefer Evenings Night Owl These squares are called checkboxes.  With the round buttons (above), you can only pick one and only one, but with the checkboxes, you can click on as many or as few as you want. What kind of ethnic food do you like? Italian Chinese Indian Polish Greek An arrow at the end of the box indicates that there are choices listed and you should click on the arrow to see the list.  Once you see the list, click on the item you want to choose.  If it's already showing the correct one, you don't need to click on it. If it is a long list, try typing the first letter of your choice.  It may automatically move to your choice.  For example, when entering Pennsylvania, type P and PA may show up.  Sometimes Paula Islands or Papua New Guinea show up instead.  (If on the list, they come before Pennsylvania in the alphabetical order.) If that's the case, scroll down an item or two to find Pennsylvania on the list.  It's much faster than scrolling down from the As to the Ps, then finding PA. Choose your favorite state from the list below? Alaska Alabama Colorado Maryland New York Ohio Pennsylvania Virginia West Virginia   There are two different kinds of boxes that allow you to enter text.  One allows you to enter sentences, the other is a smaller box that has a more specific use (see below.) Before you start typing, move the mouse to the text box.  The mouse arrow turns into an I-beam cursor.  Click when you see the I-beam and you'll see a flashing cursor.  That flashing line means that you are ready to begin typing. Remember the Enter key on the keyboard moves the cursor to a new line. Type several sentences into the box below. When you have a series of boxes to fill out (like those shown below) you must get the flashing cursor in the box before you begin to type.   Tapping the Tab key on the keyboard moves the flashing cursor from one box to the next.  (Holding down the shift key while tapping the Tab key moves backward one box.) Enter your name and address in the boxes below. Name Address  Address City State Zip Note:  This form is for practice use only.  No information is saved or transmitted.

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