Create conditional fields

A condition has one gate field and one or more follow-ups. The current consultation form shows Other details only when Consultation type is Other.

gate: consultation_type · Select · Consultation details
follow-up: other_topic · Text Area · Consultation details
condition: consultation_type=Other

Visibility, required validation, and final storage use the same condition. If a customer enters a follow-up and then closes its branch, Laney does not include the old value in final submission.

Before you start

• Create the gate and follow-up in Custom fields.
• Use the same Target, Forms, and Field Group.
• Use Select or Switch for the gate.
• Put the gate before its follow-up with Position.

Create the consultation condition

1. Create consultation_type for Reservations. Use Select. Add the real operating options.
2. Add a Description that explains how to choose. Use Consultation details as the Field Group.
3. Create other_topic for Reservations. Use Text Area and the same group and form.
4. Set Show When on the follow-up to consultation_type=Other.
5. Turn on Required when an active Other choice must have details.

Use true or false for a Switch gate. For example: needs_interpreter=true.

Use one condition level

• Do not set Show When on the gate.
• Do not let a field gate itself.
• Do not use a conditional follow-up as another gate.
• You can use several independent gates in one form.
• The condition value must exactly match the saved Select option.

If you need a deep decision tree, split different goals into separate forms or let an AI conversation clarify the context. An invalid gate, missing option, duplicate key, or nested condition fails closed. Link creation or final submission can stop.

Test both paths

1. Select a non-Other type. Check that Other details is hidden.
2. Continue to submission. Check that the hidden required field does not block it.
3. Select Other. Check that the follow-up appears in the same group.
4. Leave it empty. Check the field error.
5. Enter a value. Change the gate to a non-Other option.
6. Submit. Check that other_topic is absent from Responses and Reservations.
7. Submit a new Other path. Check that the answer exists in both locations.

The public-form video in Create and publish a consultation form shows this condition.

Check the result

• The follow-up appears only for the configured gate value.
• Required validation runs only for a visible follow-up.
• A hidden answer is absent from the response and target record.
• An invalid condition does not expose an unsafe field.