---
title: Short and long answer
description: Collect free-text answers in a single line or a multi-line text box.
icon: text-cursor-input
search:
  keywords: [text field, textarea, paragraph, single line, open question]
---

- **Short answer** (`/short`) is a single-line text box for names, job titles and other brief answers.
- **Long answer** (`/long`) is a multi-line text box that grows as respondents type. Use it for feedback, descriptions and comments.

## Settings

| Setting | What it does |
| --- | --- |
| **Required** | Respondents must answer before moving on. |
| **Default answer** | Pre-fills the box with text respondents can change. |
| **Min characters** / **Max characters** | Limits how short or long the answer can be. |
| **Response validation** | Requires the answer to **Contains**, **Starts with** or **Ends with** some text. |
| **Custom error message** | Replaces the default message shown when validation fails. |

:::tip Use **Max characters** on Long answer to keep replies focused. :::

Want an AI summary or a sentiment score for long text answers? Add an [Autofield](/ai/autofields) to your submissions.

**[Field options](/blocks/field-options)**

All settings shared by every block.

**[Answer recall](/logic/answer-recall)**

Reuse a name in later questions.