Three Ways to Build Forms in Formaly: Prompt, Builder, and PDF
Formaly now offers three ways to create forms: AI from a prompt, a traditional block-based builder, and PDF import. More options, more control.
Arindam Majumder
Founder, Formaly
We added a static form builder. Now you have three ways to create forms in Formaly.
Some people want AI to do the heavy lifting. Others want full control over every question. Some have an existing PDF they need to digitize. We built for all three. Here is what each option does and when to use it.
Three Creation Modes
Prompt
AI-PoweredDescribe what you want to learn; AI builds the form
Type a few sentences about your goal. The AI generates a full conversational survey with the right question types, flow, and tone. Add a target audience for better tuning. Hit Generate and you get a complete form in seconds.
Best for
- When you know the outcome but not the exact questions
- Customer feedback, NPS, event surveys, research
- Teams that want to move fast without designing from scratch
How to use
Dashboard → Create Form → Prompt tab → Describe your goal → Generate Form with AI
Builder
TraditionalAdd blocks, edit questions, drag to reorder. Full control.
A block-based form builder like the ones you know from Typeform or Tally. Add questions one by one from the Question Bank or the Add Question button. Edit each block inline. Drag to reorder. No AI required. You decide every question, every option, every detail.
Best for
- When you have a specific structure in mind
- Forms with exact wording, compliance, or brand requirements
- Power users who prefer hands-on control over AI generation
How to use
Dashboard → Create Form → Builder tab → Add questions from Question Bank or Add Question → Edit, reorder, publish
Upload a document; AI extracts questions and converts them
Already have a questionnaire, intake form, or research brief in PDF? Upload it. The AI reads the document, extracts all questions, infers the right type for each (multiple choice, rating, open text), and builds a Formaly survey. Edit anything before you publish.
Best for
- Migrating from paper or Word-based surveys
- Converting existing questionnaires to conversational format
- Teams with legacy forms they want to digitize quickly
How to use
Dashboard → Create Form → PDF tab → Upload PDF (max 5MB) → AI extracts questions → Review and publish
Which One Should You Use?
There is no wrong choice. All three produce the same Formaly survey: conversational chat mode, traditional form view, AI insights, and full customization. The difference is how you get there.
You have a clear goal but not the exact questions
PromptYou want to design every question yourself
BuilderYou have a PDF or document to convert
PDFYou are not sure yet
Start with Prompt, then switch to Builder to tweakThe Builder in Detail
The new Builder mode works like traditional form tools. You add question blocks from a Question Bank (preset questions by category) or the Add Question button (full type picker). Each block shows the question text, type badge, options if applicable, and optional flag. Click Edit to open the full question editor. Click the grip handle to drag and reorder. Delete any block with one click.
You also set the form title, introduction, and closing message. Toggle contact collection (name and email) and choose the default mode (chat or form). When you are done, click Continue to Preview and publish. The same flow as AI-generated forms.
More Options, Same Result
Whether you start from a prompt, build block by block, or import from PDF, you end up with the same Formaly survey. Conversational completion, AI insights, theme customization, and all the rest. The creation path is up to you.
Try all three
Create a form with AI, build one from scratch, or import from PDF. See which workflow fits you best.