Ever wondered what you can do with a WordPress datepicker calendar in a form? We’ve put together a guide to show you its full potential!
A feature as simple as a datepicker can make filling out forms much easier. Giving users a popup calendar helps them find the right date more quickly and also avoids any date format confusion.
And luckily, adding an interactive calendar can be really simple. By using the right tools, you can create a perfect WordPress contact form complete with a datepicker.
In this article, we’ll cover some of the benefits of using a datepicker and then we’ll show you how to add one to your forms. Let’s get started!
Why you might want to use a WordPress datepicker calendar
A datepicker is a small, interactive calendar that helps users choose dates and time slots. Since it’s a calendar and not a text box, many people find it easier to navigate. This can be very important if you rely on forms to run your business.
For instance, if you have an appointment booking form, you'll want users to be able to easily select their preferred dates. A datepicker calendar in your WordPress forms is an effective way to help them do that.
Additionally, datepickers can also make your form more dynamic and interactive. In other words, this is a smart way to keep your audience engaged when filling out forms with boring predictable fields like birthdays or appointments.
All of these factors make datepicker calendars a flexible way to improve the user experience (UX) of your site. This is just one more way for businesses to make their customers happy through better service!
How to create a WordPress form with a datepicker calendar
Here’s how you can create a form with a calendar in three steps. If you’re new to the concept, consider checking out our age calculator form for a datepicker demo before you start.
Step 1: Install Formidable Forms on your site
Let’s start with the basics. You’ll need our Formidable Forms plugin for this walkthrough.
First, you’ll need to select a Business or Elite pricing plan. Once you've got our WordPress form maker, go ahead and install and activate the plugin on your website.
Next, go to Formidable → Add-Ons and find the Datepicker Options add-on. Click the blue button to Install and then Activate it.
Now that your plugin is all set up, it's time to move on to step two!
Step 2: Create your form with basic datepicker calendar
We’ll start with a basic form. Go to Formidable → Forms → Add New.
You might want to start with a form template. These come pre-loaded with fields to make your job a little bit easier. For example, you might want to use a template to create an order form.
Inside the form builder, locate the Date option in the left-hand menu. Then, you can just drag and drop it onto the right side of the screen.
The date field looks like a text box, but don't worry. This will show up as a calendar to users on the front end.
Now, let’s dive into the different date field options.
- Default Value (Date calculation) - clicking the calculator icon lets you create a date calculator
- Year Range - the time period that users can choose from
- Calendar Localization - a dropdown menu that lets you choose the language of your calendar
- Set specific minimum and maximum dates - allows you to set more a specific date range, rather than just the year (great for event registration forms or other booking forms with very narrow availability)
- Days of the week - this specifies which days of the week are available on your calendar
- Blackout Dates - specific dates when you aren't available (ideal for vacations and holidays)
- Display Inline Date Picker - checking this box will automatically show the calendar or datepicker with selectable dates so users don’t have to click on the field to see the options
These options can help you design datepicker forms that perfectly fit your needs.
Step 3: Publish your form
Once you're happy with your form, click Update in the upper right corner of your screen to save your changes.
Finally, go to the WordPress post or page on which you want to display your form. Add the Formidable Forms block and then pick your form from the form dropdown menu. Then Update or Publish the page.
And that's it! Your datepicker calendar is now online!
Ready to make your datepicker calendar?
When it comes to setting up datepicker forms, you want a tool that’s flexible and powerful enough to meet your needs.
Fortunately, Formidable Forms has it all. By using our plugin, you can add a variety of datepicker options to your forms, calculate the difference between two dates, and display a handy datepicker calendar for your users.
But adding effective datepickers is only a fraction of what Formidable Forms can help you do. Learn more about our other great online form features and pick up our form maker plugin today!
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