The blank form PDF in Dapple is a downloadable copy of your submission form, showing every step and question with empty answer boxes. Turn it on in Form Builder → Design & settings → Basic Settings → Blank Form PDF Download, then publish the form. A Download blank form (PDF) link then appears at the top of your form. Applicants use it to read the whole form before they start, prepare answers offline, work in the tools that suit them, or complete a paper copy if your programme accepts one.
How do I turn on the blank form PDF in Dapple?
Blank Form PDF Download is a Basic Settings option in the Form Builder. It takes effect when you publish the form.
Open the project → Form Builder.
Click Design & settings.
Select Basic Settings.
Scroll to Blank Form PDF Download and select Yes.
Click Save & Publish New Version.
The link appears on the live form once the new version is published. To remove it, select No and publish again. For more on how publishing affects applicants with drafts in progress, see how form versions work.
Why offer applicants a blank copy of the form?
A blank copy removes surprises and gives applicants more than one way to work through your form. It's most useful for long, multi-step forms and for programmes that want to be as accessible as possible.
Reason | How the blank PDF helps |
Accessibility | Applicants open the form in their own PDF reader, zoom in, print it in large type, or read it at their own pace before going online. |
Long or multi-step forms | Applicants see every step upfront, so nothing unexpected appears halfway through. |
Preparing answers | Applicants draft written answers, gather documents and check requirements before they start the online form. |
Working with others | Applicants share the questions with co-applicants, referees or finance contacts. |
Offline or paper applications | Applicants without reliable internet access complete a printed copy, where your programme allows it. |
What does the applicant see?
Applicants see a Download blank form (PDF) link in the top right of the form, above the first step. Clicking it downloads a PDF of your published form, which includes:
Your organisation's logo, the form title, your organisation name and the label “Blank form”
A note that the copy is for reference only, with a link to the online form
Every step as a heading, with its description
Text blocks such as your welcome message, submission guidelines and terms and conditions
Every question, with its description and a (required) marker where relevant
Empty boxes for written answers and tick boxes for multiple-choice options
The PDF reflects the latest published version of your form. If you edit questions, publish the form again so the download matches.
Can applicants send back a completed paper copy?
Only if your programme chooses to accept one. Dapple doesn't read completed PDFs back in, and the PDF itself tells applicants to apply online. If you want to accept paper or emailed forms:
Say so clearly in your submission guidelines, including where and how to send the completed form.
Give a deadline that leaves your team time to process paper copies.
Decide who on your team will transfer the answers into Dapple, so every submission is reviewed in the same place.
If you only want online submissions, leave your guidelines as they are. The reference-only note on the PDF directs applicants back to the online form.
Blank form PDF vs Allow Save Drafts: which should I use?
Both sit in Basic Settings and solve different problems. For long forms, turn on both.
| Blank Form PDF Download | Allow Save Drafts |
What it does | Lets applicants download every step and question as a PDF | Lets applicants save their online answers and come back later |
Use it when | Applicants need to see the whole form before starting, or work offline | Applicants complete the form online over more than one session |
Where answers live | On the applicant's own copy, outside Dapple | In Dapple, attached to the applicant's draft |
Best practice
Turn it on for any form with several steps or long written answers.
Keep Allow Save Drafts on as well, so applicants can move from preparing to submitting without retyping everything at once.
Mention the download on your Page or in your guidelines, so applicants know it's there.
Download the PDF yourself after publishing and check it reads well.
Write question descriptions that make sense on paper. Avoid phrases like “click below” or “see the box on the right”.
Republish after every change to your questions, so the PDF never falls out of date.