---
title: "Textarea Control"
slug: "textarea-control"
updated: 2025-12-19T23:22:51Z
published: 2025-12-19T23:22:51Z
canonical: "docs.processmaker.com/textarea-control"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.processmaker.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Textarea Control

The Textarea control allows the Request participant to insert more than three lines of text. Though this control displays a vertical scroll bar if more than three lines are inserted, the input box can be expanded as necessary. To do this, click the lower right-hand corner of the input box of the Textarea control, hold, and then drag to enlarge or shrink the control size as necessary. Release when you have adjusted the Textarea control to your required size.

> This control is only available for Form-type Screens. See [Screen Types](/v1/docs/screens#screen-types).

Watch the following product tour to learn how to use a Page Navigation control.

[Embedded content](https://app.supademo.com/embed/cw7ky585WovK5us-Y1myu)

---

## Add the Control to a Screen

**Permissions**

Your user account or group membership must have the following permissions to design a Screen unless your user account has the **Make this user a Super Admin** setting selected:

- Screens: Edit Screens
- Screens: View Screens

See the [Screens](/v1/docs/permission-descriptions-for-users-and-groups#screens) permissions or ask your Administrator for assistance.

Follow these steps to add this control to the [Screen](/v1/docs/screens):

1. [Create a new Form-type Screen](/v1/docs/create-a-new-screen) or [edit an existing one.](/v1/docs/manage-screens#edit-a-screen)
2. From the Controls Menu on the left, expand the **Input Fields** category, and then locate the **Textarea** icon![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/f5213f2a-3f1d-4444-a57f-70856cc66634.png).
3. Drag and drop the control to the Screen Builder canvas. Existing controls in the Screen will adjust positioning based on where you drag the control.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/fa033edd-64a1-4e72-a338-92da11e90149.png)
4. Configure the Textarea control. See [Settings](/v1/docs/textarea-control#inspector-settings).
5. Validate that the control is configured correctly. See [Validate Your Screen](/v1/docs/validate-and-publish-a-screen#validate-a-processmaker-screen).

Below is a Textarea control to request feedback.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/48b29704-febd-48cf-ba6d-ea08bcd021fb.png)

---

## Settings

The Textarea control has the following configurable settings in the Properties Panel:

- [**Variable** panel](/v1/docs/textarea-control#variable-panel-settings)
- [**Configuration** panel](/v1/docs/textarea-control#configuration-panel-settings)
- [**Design** panel](/v1/docs/textarea-control#design-panel-settings)
- [**Advanced** panel](/v1/docs/textarea-control#advanced-panel-settings)
- [**Accessibility** panel](/v1/docs/textarea-control#accessibility-panel-settings)

---

### Variable Panel Settings

Expand the **Variable** panel from the Properties Panel on the right to configure the following properties:

#### Variable Name

Edit the default **Variable Name** setting value for this control if necessary. The **Variable Name** setting value represents data in this control during Requests. Ensure that the **Variable Name** setting value is a unique name from other controls in this [Screen](/v1/docs/screens) and contains at least one letter. This is a required setting.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/1c43f32c-58cc-4933-a1cb-b1e6ac834190.png)

Use the **Variable Name** setting value in the following ways:

- Reference this control by its **Variable Name** setting's value. The **Data Preview** panel in Preview mode corresponds the Textarea control's textual content with that Textarea control's **Variable Name** value. In the example below, `form_text_area_1` is the **Variable Name** setting's value.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/f8ab6b2e-08af-45e5-980f-6560e4cff210.png)
- Reference this control's value in a different Screen Builder control. To do so, use [mustache syntax](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/mustache.5(14).html) and reference this control's **Variable Name** value in the target control. Example: `{{ form_text_area_1 }}`.
- Reference this value in [**Visibility Rule** setting expressions](/v1/docs/textarea-control#visibility-rule).

See [best practices](/v1/docs/screen-design-best-practices#naming-request-variables-for-processmaker-screen-controls) when editing a Request variable name.

#### Label

Edit the default label that displays for this control if necessary. **New Textarea** is the default value.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/22eb8b53-0bf6-403f-9e7b-917e392b5158.png)

#### Validation Rules[](/docs/textarea-control#validation-rules)

Enter the validation rule(s) the Request participant must comply with to properly enter a valid value into this control. This setting has no default value. If there are no configured validation rules the following message displays: **No validation rule(s)**. See [Validation Rules for "Validation" Control Settings](/v1/docs/validation-rules-for-screen-controls).

![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/b09121e7-a73d-4b36-9e6b-a3c180e0374b.png)

Follow these steps to add a validation rule to this control:

1. Access the [**Variable** panel for this control](/v1/docs/textarea-control#variable-panel-settings) while in Design mode, and then locate the **Validation Rules** setting.
2. Click the **Add Rule** button. The **Select** drop-down menu displays.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/5467f2ab-3d85-44a5-ba5c-195c9940cd8e.png)
3. Select the rule that this control validates against.
4. Click **Save**. Parameters for the selected rule display. Parameter settings display which ones are required to properly configure the rule.
5. Enter the parameter settings that this control uses to validate against. See [Validation Rule Settings](/v1/docs/validation-rules-for-screen-controls#validation-rule-settings), and then locate the validation rule for its parameters.

Follow these steps to edit a validation rule for this control:

1. Access the [**Variable** panel for this control](/v1/docs/textarea-control#variable-panel-settings) while in Design mode, and then locate the **Validation Rules** setting.
2. Click the **Edit** icon![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/92ba998f-dd92-4dfa-8076-51a6e614d345.png)for the validation rule to edit if that rule can be edited. Validation rules that do not have parameters cannot be edited. The parameter settings for that validation rule displays.
3. Edit the parameter settings that this control uses to validate against. See [Validation Rule Settings](/v1/docs/validation-rules-for-screen-controls#validation-rule-settings), and then locate the validation rule for its parameters.

Follow these steps to delete a validation rule for this control:

1. Access the [**Variable** panel for this control](/v1/docs/textarea-control#variable-panel-settings) while in Design mode, and then locate the **Validation Rules** setting.
2. Click the **Delete** icon![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/bc043d85-86e7-42cf-9f64-ebd295ba95cc.png)for the validation rule to delete. A message displays to confirm deletion of the validation rule.
3. Click **Delete**.

#### Make Required[](/docs/textarea-control#make-required)

Select to indicate that this control is required. This option is not selected by default. It is a quick way to add the [Required](/v1/docs/validation-rules-for-screen-controls#required) validation rule.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/5abed611-2c3c-4f3e-afe4-b7f54e064b3f.png)

In the Screen preview or during a Request, the control displays with a red-colored asterisk. If you submit the Screen without selecting this required Checkbox, this control displays **Field is required** in red-colored text.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/8ded4809-19c6-4411-945e-68940ae8f219.png)

#### Read Only[](/docs/textarea-control#read-only)

Select to indicate that this control cannot be edited. This option is not selected by default.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/1eb8a57d-d18a-4698-8848-e337a012959c.png)

---

### Configuration Panel Settings

Expand the **Configuration** panel from the Properties Panel on the right to configure the following properties:

#### Placeholder Text[](/docs/textarea-control#placeholder-text)

Enter the placeholder text that displays in this control when no value has been provided. This setting has no default value.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/69ac0808-39c7-49bd-8ddc-fd139c005382.png)

#### Helper Text[](/docs/textarea-control#helper-text)

Enter text that provides additional guidance on this control's use. This setting has no default value.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/0f1a6265-51ef-49ad-bfd0-69b809690864.png)

#### Rich Text[](/docs/textarea-control#rich-text)

Select the **Rich Text** checkbox to display the What-You-See-Is-What-You-Get (WYSIWYG) rich text editor to allow the Request participant can enter rich text. This option is not selected by default.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/91e87a70-3756-4a04-9b54-70c7b177bd88.png)

#### Rows[](/docs/textarea-control#rows)

Enter the number of rows to provide for input. **2** is the default value.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/e5cf969d-34b0-4e8c-a0b5-47f1ee9c8594.png)

---

### Design Panel Settings

Expand the **Design** panel from the Properties Panel on the right to configure the following properties:

#### Text Color[](/docs/textarea-control#text-color)

Select the text color that displays for this control. Optionally, click the **Clear Color Selection** option to remove the selected color.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/fa0e6b07-6bb5-407a-8e9b-4e03d728e59d.png)

#### Background Color[](/docs/textarea-control#background-color)

Select the background color that displays for this control. Optionally, click the **Clear Color Selection** option to remove the selected color.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/29e3f632-394c-4d46-9e79-da0023a357b3.png)

---

### Advanced Panel Settings

Expand the **Advanced** panel from the Properties Panel on the right to configure the following properties:

#### Default Value[](/docs/textarea-control#default-value)

Enter the default value this control displays. The default value can be assigned as a Request variable, text or JavaScript. When the Screen submits, the Request uses this control's default value unless the Request participant changes it. When using a [Request variable](/v1/docs/request-variable) in the **Default Value** setting, consider the following:

- If the Request variable is empty, the control does not display any value by default.
- When the Request variable is assigned a value for the first time, this value becomes the permanent default value of the control.
- Any further changes to the Request variable do not affect the default value of the control.

The **Default Value** setting supports using Request variables in [mustache syntax](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/mustache.5(14).html). For example, if the **Default Value** setting is `{{ FirstName }} {{ LastName }}` from which a Request participant entered her first name and last name in separate controls (respectively) earlier in that Request, this control displays the contents of those controls by default during the Request.

There are two ways to enter the default value this control displays.

**Default Value As A Text**

Enter the default value as text or as a Request variable in mustache syntax.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/0d68da78-d7f3-4a2f-8429-ad0d49e8b6c5.png)

**Default Value As A Script**

Enter the default value as JavaScript, especially if a [Calculated Property](/v1/docs/calculated-properties#what-are-calculated-properties) might change this default value setting. Ensure to use the `this.` JavaScript keyword preceding the Screen control reference. Example: `this.FullName` when `FullName` is the **Variable Value** setting value for the control to set its default value. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/6af648e8-6b49-4410-b37e-43a377f85a0b.png)

#### Visibility Rule[](/docs/textarea-control#visibility-rule)

Specify an expression that indicates the condition(s) under which this control displays. See [Expression Syntax Components](/v1/docs/feel-expression-syntax#show-or-hide-screen-builder-controls). If this setting does not have an expression, then this control displays by default.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/b8e5ffc4-9960-46f3-8b12-4858d93d77f1.png)

For example, this control displays if the variable value **tip** is **1**. For a detailed example of the Visibility Rule setting, see [Show or Hide Controls Based on Button Selection](/v1/docs/example-show-or-hide-controls-based-on-button-selection).

Note the following regarding how to use visibility rules:

- To make this control hidden until another control contains a value, enter the **Variable Name** setting value of that control to this control's **Visibility Rule** setting.
- [Visibility rules override custom CSS settings](/v1/docs/screen-design-best-practices#visibility-rules-override-custom-css-settings).

#### Device Visibility[](/docs/textarea-control#device-visibility)

Select on which device types this control displays:

- **Desktop:** The control displays only on desktop devices. Enable the **Show for Desktop** toggle key.
- **Mobile:** The control displays only on mobile devices. Enable the **Show for Mobile** toggle key.
- **Both:** The control displays on both desktop and mobile devices. Both toggle keys are enabled by default.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/496815c0-4fe7-4761-9d07-a288219025c2.png)

#### CSS Selector Name[](/docs/textarea-control#css-selector-name)

Enter the value to represent this control in custom CSS syntax when in [Custom CSS](/v1/docs/custom-css#add-custom-css-to-a-processmaker-screen) mode. As a best practice, use the same **CSS Selector Name** value on different controls of the same type to apply the same custom CSS style to all those controls.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/e8f46bbb-a154-43ae-98d7-1f9997753337.png)

Then, use this name in the [Custom CSS](/v1/docs/custom-css#apply-css-to-specific-processmaker-screen-controls) feature to apply CSS styling to this control as follows:

```plaintext
[selector='Submit Form'] {
                        color: blueviolet;
                        }
```

See the following best practices regarding custom CSS in Screens:

- [Editing a CSS name to represent this control in custom CSS syntax](/v1/docs/screen-design-best-practices#css-selector-naming-best-practice)
- [Visibility rules override custom CSS settings](/v1/docs/screen-design-best-practices#visibility-rules-override-custom-css-settings)

---

### Accessibility Panel Settings

The **Accessibility** panel centralizes settings that enhance screen-reader compatibility and overall usability. ARIA Label setting persists through import, copy/paste, versioning, and upgrades, supporting a more inclusive and standards-aligned Screen Builder experience.

#### Aria Label[](/docs/textarea-control#aria-label)

Enter the string that provides a text alternative to this control for the following purposes:

- Assistive technology, such as screen readers, read the **Aria Label** setting value.
- This control has a visual indication of its purpose, such as a control that uses a graphic instead of text, but still needs to clarify that purpose for anyone who cannot access the visual indication.

The **Aria Label** setting value replaces the [**Label** setting](/v1/docs/textarea-control#label) value. For example, if a control has both a **Label** setting value and an **Aria Label** setting value, assistive technology only uses the **Aria Label** setting value.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/2fb572ea-8bb4-495f-8bd9-faba822d8279.png)

#### Tab Order[](/docs/textarea-control#tab-order)

Tab order determines the sequential navigation order to navigate a Screen's controls using a keyboard interface. Assistive technology users often use a keyboard for navigation.

[See best practices for setting the tab order for a Screen's controls](/v1/docs/screen-design-best-practices#tab-order-for-keyboard-navigation).

Enter the number for the sequential keyboard navigation order that this control takes focus amongst other controls in this Screen.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/aaaea5a3-f6b3-4ee9-ab84-7f54ead24b22.png)