> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.notionapps.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.notionapps.com/guides/organize-create-forms-with-sections-and-an-optional-stepper.md).

# Organize Create Forms with Sections and an Optional Stepper

Split long **Add Item** forms into labeled sections, optionally walk users through them one step at a time, and keep URL prefill working across every section.

{% hint style="info" %}
**Scope**\
Form **Sections** and the optional **section stepper** apply to **Create Form** screens. Prefill from URL (including Date, Multi-select, People, and Relation) works with or without the stepper — see [Prefill Create Forms from a URL](https://docs.notionapps.com/guides/prefill-create-forms-from-a-url).
{% endhint %}

***

### What you get

| Capability                     | What makers configure                 | What end users see                                                |
| ------------------------------ | ------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Section** components         | Title + helper text that group fields | Clear visual groups (Basics, Details, …)                          |
| **Section stepper** (optional) | Toggle on the Create Form Behaviour   | One section per step with **Next** / **Back** / **Submit**        |
| **Progress**                   | Automatic from section order          | “Step X of Y” plus the current section name                       |
| **Prefill across steps**       | URL parameter mappings on fields      | Values appear even when the field’s section is not the first step |

![Create Form open in the builder with sectioned Add Restaurant layout](https://iili.io/Cw1qL8X.png)

***

### Before you start

You need:

* A **Create Form** (Add Item) screen
* At least two logical groups of fields (for example Basics vs Details)
* Permission to **Publish**

{% hint style="success" %}
**Design tip**\
Put required “identity” fields (Name, Opening Date) in the first section. Put optional or secondary fields (Tags, Owner, Related Location) in later sections.
{% endhint %}

***

### Step 1 — Add Section components

1. Open the Create Form in the builder.
2. From **Add component**, insert a **Section** where a new group should begin.
3. Set the **Section title** (for example, `Basics`) and optional **helper text** (for example, `Name and opening date`).
4. Move or add fields **under** that section so the preview shows them in the group.
5. Repeat for the next group (for example, `Details` — `Tags, owner, and location`).

![Builder preview on step 1 — Basics section with Name and Opening Date](https://iili.io/Cw1qbtf.png)

***

### Step 2 — Turn on the section stepper (optional)

1. With the Create Form screen selected (not a single field), open **Behaviour**.
2. Enable **Section stepper** / **section stepper enabled**.
3. Preview on phone and desktop:
   * Step 1 shows only the first section’s fields
   * **Next** advances to the next section
   * **Back** returns without wiping values
   * The last step shows **Submit**

![Step 2 — Details section with Tags, Owner, and Related Location](https://iili.io/Cw1B9P2.png)

{% hint style="warning" %}
**Mobile layout**\
On small screens the step progress sits above the form content, and **Back** / **Submit** stay in a footer so they do not cover fields. If labels look cramped after a long title, shorten the section title.
{% endhint %}

***

### Step 3 — Publish and test the live stepper

1. **Publish** the app.
2. Open the Create Form in the published app (phone and desktop).
3. Confirm:
   * Only the current section’s fields are editable
   * Progress text matches the section (for example, Step 1 of 2 · Basics)
   * **Back** restores the previous section with values intact
   * **Submit** only appears on the final step (or per your submit placement settings)

![Published app — Basics step](https://iili.io/Cw1BF9e.png)

![Published app — Details step with Submit](https://iili.io/Cw1BKAu.png)

***

### Step 4 — Prefill still works with sections

URL prefill fills mapped fields even when they live in a later section. Users can advance with **Next** and see Tags, Owner, or Relation already filled.

Example link shape:

```
https://your-app.notionapps.com/add-restaurant?name=Prefill%20Wave%20B%20Cafe&opening_date=2026-09-15&tags=Patio,Delivery&owner=user@example.com&location=<recordId>
```

![Prefill values visible across sectioned fields](https://iili.io/Cw1Bfwb.png)

Full mapping instructions: [Prefill Create Forms from a URL](https://docs.notionapps.com/guides/prefill-create-forms-from-a-url).

***

### When to use the stepper vs static sections

| Use **static sections only**         | Use the **section stepper**             |
| ------------------------------------ | --------------------------------------- |
| Short forms (under \~8 fields)       | Long onboarding / intake forms          |
| Users need to see everything at once | You want a guided, mobile-friendly path |
| Desktop-heavy data entry             | Phone users who scroll past the fold    |

***

### Checklist

* [ ] Each Section has a clear title (and helper text when useful)
* [ ] Field order under sections matches the story you want users to follow
* [ ] Section stepper tested with **Next**, **Back**, and **Submit**
* [ ] Required fields appear before optional ones when possible
* [ ] Prefill mappings still work after Publish
* [ ] Phone and desktop previews checked for overlapping footer controls

***

### Troubleshooting

| Symptom                             | Likely cause                              | What to do                                                                     |
| ----------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| All fields still show on one page   | Stepper not enabled or not published      | Enable Section stepper, Publish, hard-refresh the live app                     |
| Next does nothing                   | Only one Section exists                   | Add a second Section with fields beneath it                                    |
| Back loses values                   | Unexpected client cache                   | Retest after Publish; confirm you used the form Back control, not browser Back |
| Prefill empty on step 2 fields      | Mapping not published / wrong param names | Re-check URL parameter names; Publish again                                    |
| Back / Submit cover fields on phone | Older client                              | Ensure the latest published frontend; shorten long section titles              |

***

### Related reading

* [Prefill Create Forms from a URL](https://docs.notionapps.com/guides/prefill-create-forms-from-a-url)
* [Control Desktop Form Submit Placement](https://docs.notionapps.com/guides/control-desktop-form-submit-placement)
* [Form (Add Item)](https://docs.notionapps.com/customize-app/types-of-screens/form-add-item)
* [20 Jul 2026 Release](https://docs.notionapps.com/release-notes/20-jul-2026-release)