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.

Note

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.

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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

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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

Tip

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.

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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).

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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

Caution

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.

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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)

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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>

Full mapping instructions: Prefill Create Forms from a URL.

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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

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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

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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

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Related reading

• Prefill Create Forms from a URL
• Control Desktop Form Submit Placement
• Form (Add Item)
• 20 Jul 2026 Release

Annotated builder screenshots

Complete Builder Options Reference

Form Behaviour

Use sections as steps

What it does: Turns form sections into a stepper flow instead of one long page.
How to use it: Organize fields into sections first, then enable the toggle.
Why / recommended default: On for long intake forms; off for short 3–5 field forms.

Field / section canvas options

Section title

What it does: Labels each step or section heading.
How to use it: Name the user job (“Contact”, “Details”, “Review”), not internal DB names.
Why / recommended default: Short titles that still make sense as stepper labels.

Full Create Form options: Form (Add Item).