When creating the questions for a Data Collection stage, you can add either standard questions or custom questions. Standard questions are pre-made questions that include a selected answer type, answers (when appropriate), a Data Key, and, in some cases, validation for the answer. Although standard questions enable you to quickly add questions, they are limited.
Fountain also allows you to create custom questions, enabling you to ask exactly what you need from your applicants without restriction. When creating custom questions, you'll be required to create the answers and data key. This is important for connecting Fountain Hire information to other Fountain products in the Worker Experience suite.
Additionally, you can choose to secure custom questions so they are only visible to users with the permission to view secure data.
Learn about Standard Questions in this Help Center article.
Standard vs Custom Question Functionality
Review the table below to compare standard versus custom question functionality:
Functionality | Standard Question | Custom Question (Unsecured) |
Viewable in Applicant profiles | Some fields | Yes |
Filter by value in the Applicant Table or UAV | No | Yes |
Exportable | Some fields | Yes |
Customizable Data Key | No | Yes |
Customizable Option Bank | No | Yes |
Use responses as Merge Keys into documents for signing | Some fields | Yes |
Create a Custom Question Steps
Follow the steps below to create a custom Data Collection question:
In a Data Collection stage in the Workflow Editor, click Edit questions in the Data Collection Form section.
After adding a form name and description, click Add question.
You can also create Logic Jumps via this section. Learn more about Logic Jumps in this article.
Click in the Enter a question title section and type your question. Standard questions will initially appear, but if you keep typing, you can add your custom question.
Change the answer type by clicking on the Short answer button.
Enter the answers by clicking Add option (if applicable based on the answer type). You can also link to an Option Bank.
Click Enter data key and type a data key.
Data keys must be all lowercase, contain no spaces (use an underscore instead), cannot include special characters, are intuitive and easily recognizable for all users, and cannot be associated with duplicate questions. Fountain also recommends NOT starting your Data Key with an underscore (example _city).
Depending on the answer type selected, you may be able to add a validation for the answer by clicking the checkbox icon.
Some answer types, like address, will have a built-in validation.
Validations are helpful if you need the applicant to enter their answer in a specific format.
If you want to make the question required, click the asterisk icon.
If you want to make the question secure, click the lock icon.
After all questions have been added, click Save.
Best Practice:
Be thoughtful when adding your Data Key. This data point is how the data field will be named, and it ensures that the question can be referred back to and utilized in subsequent stages. Data Keys are used in stage rules, filters, and can be reviewed in Applicant Profiles and Analytics exports.
Additional Resources
Click the image below to try out adding questions to a Data Collection stage.
