Branching Logic

By default, forms are linear - each node flows to the next in order. Branching lets you send respondents down different paths based on which option they choose.

How it works

When you add nodes, Clipform wires them into a linear chain automatically - each node connects to the next, ending at the end screen. Branching is opt-in per Choice node: turn it on for a question and each of its answer options gets its own connection, so different answers can lead to different nodes.

For example, a "New or existing customer?" question can send new customers down an onboarding path and existing customers to support.

Setting up branching

1. Select a Choice node on the canvas.
2. Turn on Enable branching at the top of the node's settings. Each answer option grows its own connection point on the right edge of the node.
3. Drag from an option's connection point to the node that answer should lead to. Repeat for each option.

You can route an option to any node in the form, including a terminal node - handy for early exits (e.g. disqualifying respondents who don't meet criteria).

Turning branching back off is non-destructive: the node returns to a single linear connection, and your per-option routing is kept in case you switch it on again.

Make sure every path is valid

Before a branched form can be published, every path has to lead somewhere:

• Every option needs a connection. An option left unwired is highlighted on the node so you can spot it - connect it to a node or a terminal node.
• Every path must reach a terminal node. A branch that dead-ends is flagged.
• No loops. Branching back to an earlier node would trap respondents, so the canvas blocks a connection that would create a loop.

Tips

• Multi-level trees: enable branching on more than one Choice node to build deeper decision trees.
• Auto-relinking: if you delete a node that was a branch target, the chain re-links automatically - re-check your branches after deleting a node so paths still make sense.
• Preview your paths: use Preview to walk each branch and confirm respondents land where you intend.

Example: customer routing form

A simple form that routes respondents based on whether they're new or existing:

1. Button node - "Welcome! Let's get you to the right place."
2. Choice node (branching on) - "Are you a new or existing customer?"
   • "New customer" → node 3
   • "Existing customer" → node 4
3. Open-Ended node - "What brought you to us today?"
4. Open-Ended node - "How can we help you today?"
5. Contact node - collect their details
6. End Screen - "Thanks! We'll be in touch."