> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://ieg4.gitbook.io/edesigner-new/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://ieg4.gitbook.io/edesigner-new/building-services/the-basics.md).

# The basics

Building powerful, simple to use forms with eDesigner is simple and effective.

On this page we will outline the basics.

### Creating a form

To create an online form, click Create at the bottom of the Forms page in Form Management and you'll see the following:

![](/files/apnLNv73QFKuBW66WMjt)

This UI is designed to enable you to not only name the form but to quickly set the length and specific pages needed.

{% hint style="warning" %}
Where the form is accessible in OneVu, the **Name** and **Description** will be shown to citizens. So it's important that you ensure the name and description are intelligible and devoid of jargon.
{% endhint %}

The following illustrates these being completed and we will explain below what these mean:

![](/files/Mf1hI97E1A8JBG4p1DQd)

**Include a navigation bar -** If this is checked a navigation / progress bar will appear on the left hand side of the form (on larger screens) and as a menu on mobile devices.

**Include a guidance notes page -** If this is checked a page to present guidance to citizens will be added

**Include a who are you page -** If this is checked a page to request details of name, address, NINO, date of birth etc. will be inserted into the form

**What kind of 'who are you' page? -** There are two types of these:

a) A standard IEG4 version, with a fixed set of questions that cannot have custom questions added

b) A blank version, which allows you to add whichever questions you desire

**Include this many blank pages -** this is the number of pages **additional** to the pages that have been selected in this stage.

**Include an equal opportunities page -** If this is checked a page to ask for ethnicity, disability, race, gender questions

#### Ethnicity questions from framework release 2.2.0

These questions align with DWP reporting requirements.

White - English/Welsh/Scottish/British/Northern Irish\
White - Irish\
White - Gypsy/Irish Traveller\
White - Roma\
White - Other White background\
Asian or Asian British - Indian\
Asian or Asian British - Pakistani\
Asian or Asian British - Bangladeshi\
Asian or Asian British - Chinese\
Asian or Asian British - Other Asian background\
Black or Black British - Caribbean\
Black or Black British - Somali\
Black or Black British - African other\
Black or Black British - Other Black background\
Other ethnic group - Yemeni\
Other ethnic group - Other Arab\
Other ethnic group - Other ethnic group\
Mixed/multiple heritage - White and Black Caribbean\
Mixed/multiple heritage - White and Black African\
Mixed/multiple heritage - White and Asian\
Mixed/multiple heritage - Other mixed background\
Prefer not to say

**Include a declaration page -** If this is checked a declaration page that includes a 'review your answers' and a consistent (but editable) declaration page.

Once you have selected the options you want for your form you will be taken back to the list of forms on the form page. Find your form and click on the highlighted name of the form, which is a link e.g.

![Forms list - indicating where to click to view the URL(s) for the form](/files/Qi0JurKzRmwkpHIzfM3e)

When this is clicked on initial creation, you will see a table illustrating the current version of the form in each environment:

![](/files/dsMu4Cc15ANpV7FOdLEW)

Development will normally be the only one with anything in it on a brand new form. As the form is published to test and ultimately production (live) version numbers/increments will show.

To get access to the URLs click on the Name of the form again. There will only be one link and this will be for the development environment. As the form is published to test and ultimately production (live), two other URLs will be created.

The following shows the Form Details page and the URL for the development environment version of the form:

![](/files/iWeuqup0NA1vjM59TUDj)

We will now walk through the various functions of eDesigner.


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

```
GET https://ieg4.gitbook.io/edesigner-new/building-services/the-basics.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.
