Form Response Builder

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After you configure disclosure questions by using the Question Builder, you can optionally use the Form Response Builder to define how users will provide responses.

The Form Response Builder worksheet is used to configure the individual fields and tables that appear within each question of a custom framework and in the response details section of a response. Each row in the Form Response Builder defines either a Field or Table, or one of its characteristics. To help ensure that the configuration loads correctly, depending on the field type, each type must be constructed in a specific order. Each type must also include the appropriate entities and properties, such as columns, selectable options, conditional logic, or input constraints.

The Form Response Builder includes seven key columns, each of which must follow a clear hierarchical structure based on its parent element, for example, question, field, or table:
Framework
Indicates the custom framework to which the field belongs.
Parent Code
A Field must have a parent question. A Column must have a parent Table. Options and Dependencies must refer to a specific Field.
Code
A unique identifier for each field or element, required to be unique within its parent.
Entity
Specifies what is being defined, such as Field, Table, Column, Definitions for options, Dependencies for logic, or Property for constraints.
Type

The type describes the kind of entity being defined. For example, when you set entity as Table, the only allowable types are Dynamic Table, Static Table, or Time Series Table. When you set entity as Field, it can be a Date, Long Text, Boolean, and so on. Only the Field and the Column entities define the input format while options, properties, and dependencies describe additional behavior of the input format.

Display Order
Determines the sequence in which elements appear in the form, under their parent.
Value
The label or visible text that is shown to users, for example, the field name, table title, column header, or selectable option.
The Text fields section provides some examples on how you can configure each type of field.

The following section provides examples of how you configure each type of field.

Text fields

Text fields are input areas that are used to capture written responses. They can vary in length and format depending on the type of response required. In Sustainability Reporting Manager, in the Form Response Builder, the two main types of text fields are Short Text and Long Text. Each type serves a different purpose based on the level of detail expected.
Long Text
Used for detailed, multi-line responses like policy descriptions or strategy overviews. Best for open-ended, narrative input.
Figure 1. Long text example output
Example of a long text field that has the text Please describe your organization's overall climate change strategy and how it aligns with your sustainability goals.
Short Text
Captures brief, single-line input such as job titles, country names, or unit labels. Ideal for structured, concise responses.
Minimum 5 characters, maximum 250 characters.
Figure 2. Short text example output
Example of a short text field that has the text Please disclose the Job Title of the ESG Responsible Person in your organization.

In the Type column, you can specify character constraints by using the MinLength or MaxLength properties. If constraints are not set manually, the system applies default values:

  • Short Text: Minimum 5 characters, maximum 250 characters.
  • Long Text: Minimum 5 characters, maximum 5000 characters.
Note: When you set properties for a field, make sure to enter the field’s code in the Parent Code column. The parent code tells the system which field the property belongs to and helps ensure that it is applied correctly.
Figure 3. Example of short and long text fields in the Form Response Builder worksheet
Example of short and long text fields that have minimum and maximum field lengths specified in the Form Response Builder worksheet

For more information about creating text fields, see Create a text field.

Year

The Year field is a numerical input type that is used to capture four-digit year values, for example, 2023. It is commonly used for reporting time frames, target years, or historical reference points.
Figure 4. Example of a Year field in the Form Response Builder worksheet
Example of a year field that has the value What is the baseline year for your primary climate target?
In the Type column, you can set number constraints by using the Min and Max properties to define the allowable range of values. If these properties are not manually specified, the system applies default limits:
  • Minimum: 1500
  • Maximum: 9999
These defaults help ensure that only valid four-digit years are entered and prevent erroneous or out-of-range data.
Note: When you set properties for a field, make sure to enter the field’s code in the Parent Code column. The parent code tells the system which field the property belongs to and helps ensure that it is applied correctly.

For more information about creating year fields, see Create a year field.

Date

The Date field is used to capture full calendar dates in the format YYYY/MM/DD, for example, 2025/07/21. This field is ideal for recording specific deadlines, event dates, publication dates, or any other time-bound entries.
Figure 5. Example of a Date field output that has the format YYYY/MM/DD
Example of a date field output that has the format

Unlike other numerical fields, the Date field does not require extra properties. Its format and validation are handled automatically by the system.

Figure 6. Example of a date field in the Form Response Builder worksheet
Example of a date field that has the value When was your climate target officially approved or published?

For more information about creating date fields, see Create a date field.

Number

The Number field is used to capture numeric input, such as percentages, financial figures, or other measurable values. It supports decimal values and is suitable for fields that require precision.
Figure 7. Example of Number field output
Example of a number field output that has the label What is your absolute emissions reduction target? and is populated with the value 30.4
If no properties are set, the system defaults to percentage-style input:
  • Minimum: 0
  • Maximum: 100
  • MultipleOf: 0.01
Figure 8. Example of Number field in the Form Response Builder worksheet
Example of Number field in the Form Response Builder worksheet
Note: When you set properties for a field, make sure to enter the field’s code in the Parent Code column. The parent code tells the system which field the property belongs to and helps ensure that it is applied correctly.

For more information about creating number fields, see Create a number field.

Integer

The Integer field is used to capture whole numbers that can be either positive or negative. It is suitable for data points like net changes, balance adjustments, or any numerical values where negative input might be valid.
Figure 9. Example of Integer output
Example of a number field output that has the label How many climate-related programs or initiatives are currently active in your organization? and is populated with the value 7
By default, the system applies the following property:
  • MultipleOf: 1
Figure 10. Example of Integer field in the Form Response Builder worksheet

For more information about creating integer fields, see Create an integer field.

Whole number

The Whole Number field is similar to the Integer field but does not allow negative values. It is used for counts that must be zero or positive, such as number of employees, facilities, or projects.
Figure 11. Example of Whole number field output
Example of Integer field output that has the Value How many years are remaining until your target year? and the value 5.2
If no properties are set, the system applies the following properties:
  • Minimum: 0
  • MultipleOf: 1
Figure 12. Example of Whole number field in the Form Response Builder worksheet
Example of a Whole number field in the Form Response Builder worksheet
Note: When you set properties for a field, make sure to enter the field’s code in the Parent Code column. The parent code tells the system which field the property belongs to and ensures that it is applied correctly.

For more information about creating whole number fields, see Create a whole number field.

Boolean

The Boolean field is used to capture yes/no or true/false responses. It is ideal for binary questions such as Is this policy in place? or Has the target been met?
Figure 13. Example of Boolean field output
Example of a Boolean field output that has the question Has your organization set a formal climate change target? and the radio buttons Yes and No.
Note:
  • 1 specified for display order is always interpreted as Yes (affirmative)
  • 0 specified for display order is always interpreted as No (false)
Figure 14. Example of Boolean field in the Form Response Builder worksheet
Example of a Boolean field in the Form Response Builder worksheet
Note: When you create a Boolean type of field, remember to always set one of the values to 0 (usually the one for No/False).

For more information about creating Boolean fields, see Create a Boolean field.

Enumeration fields or selectable options

Single select drop-down list
Displays a drop-down menu where users can select one option. Ideal for fields like Region, Department, or Country.
Figure 15. Example of drop down menu that allows a single selection
Example of a drop down menu for the question What type of climate target has your organization set? with possible responses such as Net-zero and Carbon neutrality
Single choice
Presents all options visibly, similar to radio buttons, and users can select only one option. Best when it's important for users to clearly see all the available choices at once.
Figure 16. Example of how all options can be presented at once and allow a single selection
Example of a set of radio buttons for the question What type of climate target has your organization set? with the Net-zero radio button selected
Multi-select drop-down list
Displays a drop-down list that allows users to select multiple options. Useful for cases where more than one answer can apply, for example, Applicable Frameworks or Emission Sources.
Figure 17. Example of a drop-down menu that allows multiple selections
Example of a drop down menu for the question What type of climate target has your organization set? with possible responses such as Net-zero and Carbon neutrality
Multiple Choice
Presents all options visibly, similar to check boxes, allowing users to select multiple options. Suited to multi-select fields where visibility of all choices is important.
Figure 18. Example of a set of check boxes that allows multiple selections
Example of a set of check boxes for the question What type of climate target has your organization set? with the Intensity-based reduction and Carbon neutrality check boxes selected

For information about creating enumeration fields, see Creating enumeration fields. For information about adding dependent enumeration fields, see Adding dependent fields to enumeration fields

Tables

Dynamic tables allow users to add and remove rows as needed. This format is useful when the number of entries might vary, for example, listing multiple facilities, suppliers, or projects. Dynamic tables can have multiple columns, and for each column you can specify the field type you want.
Figure 19. Example of a Dynamic table output
Example of a Dynamic table output

Static tables are like dynamic tables, but with pre-defined values in the first column.

In static tables users cannot add, remove, or edit the values in the first column, but they can input data into the other columns.
Figure 20. Example of a Static table output
Example of a Static table output

For information about creating dynamic and static tables, see Creating tables.