> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://fillout.com/help/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Add placeholder text to form fields

> Add text to where your respondents type their answers or choose options.

export const SupportBanner = () => {
  const titleId = React.useId();
  return <div className="support-banner" role="region" aria-labelledby={titleId}>
      <span className="support-banner__ring support-banner__ring--outer" aria-hidden="true" />
      <span className="support-banner__ring support-banner__ring--middle" aria-hidden="true" />
      <span className="support-banner__ring support-banner__ring--inner" aria-hidden="true" />
      <span className="support-banner__ring support-banner__ring--center" aria-hidden="true" />

      <div className="support-banner__content">
        <div className="support-banner__title" id={titleId} role="heading" aria-level="2">Still have questions?</div>

        <div className="support-banner__copy">
          <span className="support-banner__line">Our team is happy to help. Start a live chat using the</span>
          <span className="support-banner__line">
            chat bubble <span className="support-banner__chat-icon" aria-hidden="true" /> in the bottom right, or email us at
          </span>
          <span className="support-banner__line">
            <a href="mailto:support@fillout.com">support{'@'}fillout.com</a>
          </span>
        </div>

        <a className="support-banner__cta" href="mailto:support@fillout.com">Contact us</a>
      </div>
    </div>;
};

## Overview

Placeholders are often used to show a sample answer or give instructions on how to respond. You can also use them to type your question directly into the field, making the form shorter and neater.

## How to add placeholders to text fields

Click the text field followed by its <Icon icon="gear-complex" iconType="solid" /> to open the right-hand panel. Then, type your **Placeholder**.

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/fillout-005a867b/9Ja0Hwg5Ahy6Y_5f/images/Screenshot2025-08-15at3.33.01PM.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=9Ja0Hwg5Ahy6Y_5f&q=85&s=bdc2c7632a54102d64b050df612a8622" alt="Screenshot 2025-08-15 at 3.33.01 PM.png" width="2542" height="1445" data-path="images/Screenshot2025-08-15at3.33.01PM.png" />

## Add placeholders to choice fields

Similar to the step above, click the field followed by its <Icon icon="gear-complex" iconType="solid" /> to show the right-hand panel. Then, type your **Placeholder**.

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/fillout-005a867b/9Ja0Hwg5Ahy6Y_5f/images/Screenshot2025-08-15at3.50.56PM.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=9Ja0Hwg5Ahy6Y_5f&q=85&s=a4bc06b29dc5eff6238dca749d92747b" alt="Screenshot 2025-08-15 at 3.50.56 PM.png" title="Screenshot 2025-08-15 at 3.50.56 PM.png" style={{ width:"76%" }} width="1665" height="620" data-path="images/Screenshot2025-08-15at3.50.56PM.png" />

<Warning>
  Placeholders disappear once a respondent starts typing in the field or selects an option. These aren't intended to [pre-fill an answer](/help/answer-piping) for respondents.
</Warning>

## Reference previous answers as placeholders

You can use a respondent’s previous answer to remind them or guide a question or field. This is especially useful in forms with multiple related questions, so respondents don’t have to scroll back.

Under **Placeholder**, click the <Icon icon="square-plus" iconType="solid" /> or type **@** to reference a field with the previous answer.

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/fillout-005a867b/9Ja0Hwg5Ahy6Y_5f/images/Screenshot2025-08-15at3.46.00PM.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=9Ja0Hwg5Ahy6Y_5f&q=85&s=804795695ae41138f014209d5d4c3e11" alt="Screenshot 2025-08-15 at 3.46.00 PM.png" title="Screenshot 2025-08-15 at 3.46.00 PM.png" style={{ width:"53%" }} width="766" height="435" data-path="images/Screenshot2025-08-15at3.46.00PM.png" />

In our example, we first asked how they heard about us, and then added a follow-up field to ask which specific platform.

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/fillout-005a867b/9Ja0Hwg5Ahy6Y_5f/images/Screenshot2025-08-15at3.47.19PM.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=9Ja0Hwg5Ahy6Y_5f&q=85&s=91ba16a9b002e833360e8c290ecfd073" alt="Screenshot 2025-08-15 at 3.47.19 PM.png" width="2556" height="1333" data-path="images/Screenshot2025-08-15at3.47.19PM.png" />

## Related articles

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="Answer piping" icon="wand-magic-sparkles" iconType="regular" color="#FFC738" href="/help/answer-piping">
    Insert previous answers into upcoming questions or fields.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Field types" icon="question" iconType="regular" color="#FFC738" href="/help/question-types">
    Customize or change over 50 field types, add captions, and more.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

<SupportBanner />
