Improve UX and Validation in Drupal Forms
Forms are one of the most important points of contact between your website and its users. If a form is too long, confusing, or error-prone — people leave. In this article, we’ll walk through how to simplify and optimize Drupal 10 and 11 forms: from reducing friction and improving validation to creating a smoother user experience that works for business.
Common Problems with Drupal Forms
Many Drupal websites suffer from overly long or rigid forms that aren’t mobile-friendly or intuitive. On one of the educational platforms we support, the registration form had 11 visible fields, most of which weren’t even required. As a result, nearly 50% of users abandoned the form. After reviewing the setup, we changed the logic to show only relevant fields based on user role selection. Completed submissions went up by over 30%.
How to Simplify Drupal Forms Without Losing Data
Cutting down form length doesn’t mean sacrificing essential data. For example, instead of asking for first name and last name separately, we used a single “Full name” field. When users need to choose from just a few options, it’s better to show radio buttons instead of drop-downs. And when a field only becomes relevant after a previous answer, we load it dynamically using Ajax in the Form API — this keeps the form clean and focused.
How to Fix Validation in Drupal 10 and 11
Drupal uses constraint-based validation inherited from Symfony, which makes it easy to tie checks directly to specific fields. Error messages should appear right below the field — not just at the top of the form. The core Inline Form Errors module makes this possible and can be enabled through the admin UI. Don’t rely solely on client-side validation; server-side logic should always run in parallel for accuracy and security.
Tools and Modules for Better Drupal Forms
We build Drupal forms using the Form API, with custom validators, Ajax callbacks, and logic overrides via {hook_form_alter()} or {hook_form_FORM_ID_alter()}. For more complex or multi-step forms, we recommend using the Webform module. It offers a visual UI, conditional logic, API integration, and export options — all critical for enterprise-level forms. Layout Builder, while powerful, isn’t meant for form creation. If you want structured content next to a form, use Paragraphs and embed the form as a block.
How to Improve Drupal Form UX
Good forms auto-focus on the first input, provide contextual examples, and guide users clearly through the steps. Long forms should include a progress bar or step indicators. On mobile, buttons and fields should be easy to tap — not tiny or stacked awkwardly. If users are filling out longer forms, consider implementing autosave functionality using modules like Autosave Form, so progress isn’t lost accidentally.
If your site suffers from drop-offs or confusing form layouts, our web form design and optimization service can help realign it with user behavior and business goals.
How Wishdesk Improves Drupal Forms
At Wishdesk, we frequently help clients with low-converting or abandoned forms. We start with a UX audit, identify unnecessary fields, simplify or hide them, implement custom validation logic, and redesign error handling. We also integrate the form with CRM or email marketing tools — in a way that doesn’t overwhelm users with extra questions or steps. If you need expert input, our team offers Drupal consulting and development services tailored to UX and performance improvements.
Need Help with a Drupal Form?
Describe your situation — we’ll provide an honest, no-obligation assessment of how your Drupal form can be simplified and improved.
