Jotform Guide

How to Use Jotform — Complete Guide 2026

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Written by Muzi

Full Stack Web Developer and Digital Entrepreneur with a focused expertise in creating high-utility digital platforms that make complex technology straightforward for everyday users.

Updated May 2026 · 8 min read

💡 Quick Answer

How to use Jotform in 2026: create a free account → click Create Form → pick a template or start from scratch → drag in fields → click Publish → share your form link. Responses appear in the Jotform Inbox or Tables view. This complete guide walks you through every step from signup to your first published form.

Step 1 — Create a Jotform Account

  1. Go to jotform.com
  2. Click Sign Up Free
  3. Register with email or sign up with Google, Facebook, or Apple
  4. Verify your email address
  5. You are now on the My Forms dashboard — the starting point for everything

Step 2 — Create Your First Form

  1. Click Create Form on the My Forms dashboard
  2. Choose a starting method:
    • Start From Scratch — blank form
    • Use Template — 10,000+ pre-built templates by category
    • Import Form — import from PDF, Excel, or Google Form
    • AI Form Builder — describe your form and Jotform generates it
  3. The Form Builder opens with your new form

Step 3 — Add and Configure Fields

In the Form Builder, the left panel shows available field types. Click or drag to add:

  • Basic fields: Short Text, Long Text, Number, Date, Dropdown, Checkboxes, Radio Buttons
  • Contact fields: Email, Phone, Address, Name
  • Payment fields: Products, Payment, Stripe, PayPal
  • Signature field: for e-signatures and agreements
  • File Upload: collect documents, images, files

Click any field to edit its label, placeholder, required setting, and validation in the right panel.

Step 4 — Publish and Share Your Form

  1. Click Publish in the top navigation of Form Builder
  2. Copy the Form Link to share directly via email, text, or social media
  3. Or use Embed Code to add the form to your website
  4. Or generate a QR Code for physical print materials

Step 5 — View and Manage Responses

  1. Go to My Forms dashboard
  2. Click the submission count or Responses on your form
  3. Switch between Inbox, Tables, and Cards views
  4. Export submissions as CSV or Excel from the top menu
  5. Set up email notifications in Settings → Emails to be alerted for every new submission

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get started with Jotform?
To get started: create a free account at jotform.com → click 'Create Form' → choose to start from scratch, use a template, or use AI to generate a form → add and configure fields → publish and share the form link. The free plan includes up to 5 forms and 100 responses per month.
How do I create a form in Jotform?
In Jotform, click 'Create Form' on the My Forms dashboard. Choose a starting method: blank form, template from the gallery (10,000+ templates), or AI form builder (describe your form in text). The Form Builder opens. Add fields from the left panel, configure each field in the right panel, then click Publish to get your form link.
How do I see Jotform submissions?
In Jotform, go to 'My Forms', find your form, and click 'Submissions' or the response count. The Jotform Inbox shows all submissions. Switch to 'Tables' view for a spreadsheet layout, or 'Cards' for a card layout. Export submissions as CSV or Excel from the submissions page.