Every project in your pipeline is unique and wonderful in its own way, but it can be tough to keep track of every single detail. That’s why the ability to collect information from clients through a questionnaire is so important, and why we’ve added enhanced question and content options in the new smart files builder.
To save you the time and effort of recreating your legacy files as smart files, we've already updated your questionnaire file templates. But not to worry—you can also find your original legacy questionnaire templates in the Legacy Files tab of your Templates section.
In addition to having updated templates ready for you, you’ll still be able to quickly and easily add in different question types, connect answers to project details, set questions as required, add text and images, and more—even with all the enhancements of smart files.
This article references smart files, our newest file experience offering more power and customization than ever. Click here to learn more about smart files and add them to your account!
Legacy questionnaire files vs. smart files
Just as you could with your legacy questionnaire files, you can easily create simple, beautiful questionnaires with smart files (or, simply send out one of the templates we've already updated for you!).
When creating a questionnaire, smart files will allow you all the same options as legacy files, including the ability to:
Add a header image
Add a variety of question types (short answer, multiple choice, drop-down, etc.)
Make certain questions required
Link responses to project details fields
Add text
What’s new with smart files? Instead of being limited to individual documents and emails, you can create a smart file that combines elements of your process (think questions + content + embedded videos), as well as customizing the look and feel of the file with additional branding options and more opportunities to add in content!
But, of course, you can also keep things simple and send over a file that contains a single action—such questions to answer—just like you were used to doing with your legacy questionnaire files.
Locating & sending your updated templates
You can access your updated templates in your Templates section—we've automatically updated all of your legacy questionnaire templates for you!
PLEASE NOTE: Your original file templates are still there, too! You can find them in the Legacy Files tab of your Templates section.
To find your updated templates:
1. Click the Tools menu in your top navigation bar.
2. Select My Templates.
3. Click Filters and select Questions.
This will filter your templates to only show those that include questions. All the templates you see here are your own, and they'll each have the same name as they did when they were file templates.
4. Click to open the template you'd like to review or adjust. From there, if needed, you can make changes to the questions or other elements of the file—or, you can simply keep the document as-is.
Either way, when you're ready, you can click Use Template to send the questionnaire in a project, just as you would with a legacy questionnaire file.
HoneyBook Tip: Want to start organizing your updated templates into folders? Learn how here!
Making changes to smart file templates
You shouldn't have to make changes to these updated templates—they'll come complete with all of your original content and branding, after all!—so you can always simply send them out as-is. That said, you can certainly add in some of the new smart file features when you have the time to explore.
Make small changes like updating the font and color scheme, adding an image or two, or even embedding a video; or, take it up a notch by adding a few more actions to the smart file (like invoice, contract, or service blocks).
Each smart file template can be as simple or as detailed as you'd like, and just as you could with legacy files, you can make adjustments for specific clients before you share the file with project participants.
Recreating traditional questionnaire formats as smart files
Want to start from scratch and create a brand new questionnaire template in the smart files builder? Here’s what you’ll add to match the components of the questionnaires that you’re used to.
1. Start with a blank questionnaire:
To create a questionnaire template: head to Templates, click Create New, and select Questionnaire.
To create a questionnaire in a project: open the project in question, click Create New, select Questionnaire, then + Blank questionnaire.
2. A new questionnaire will be created, with some blank questions already added for easy customization. Just click into the fields and type to edit!
As with legacy questionnaire files, you'll also be able to adjust the question type and whether it's linked to a project detail in the settings on the right.
3. In the Pages menu, click the page title to customize.
4. To fully replicate the look of legacy questionnaire files, you'll see that a company info block is also included at the top of the page, using the information under your Company Settings. If needed, you can click the appropriate component to customize the company info block.
5. Build out the rest of your questions as necessary.
When everything looks good, click Preview at the top of the builder to preview the client-side view of the questionnaire. Then, click Update Template to save it! The result will be a questionnaire that looks very similar to your legacy questionnaire files:
Then, you can send your smart file off when you're ready!
Next steps to customize your smart files
Now that you know how to create a simple questionnaire, you can start thinking about how to add on and continue to customize your documents in this new smart files builder—and in ways you never could before!
Once you've added a standard questionnaire to your smart file, you can:
...and more!
Then, you can send your beautiful smart files out to your clients!
Still have questions? Feel free to send us a message by clicking the Question Mark icon on any HoneyBook page. Our team is always happy to help!