Hidden fields
Definition: Hidden fields are form elements pre-populated with data that users can’t see but which are submitted along with visible form inputs. They’re used to pass metadata – like timestamps, user/session IDs, tracking info, or control flags – without cluttering the user’s interface.
Key Features:
- Invisible Data Carriers: Hold values such as timestamps, session identifiers, or security tokens out of sight.
- Tracking & Analytics: Capture UTM parameters, campaign IDs, or client IDs to trace submission origins and marketing effectiveness.
- State Maintenance: Store form progress across multi-step processes (e.g., current page number).
- Security Tokens: Often carry CSRF tokens to validate form submissions and prevent cross-site attacks.
- Input for Logic & Routing: Used for A/B testing flags, conditional routing, or backend automation triggers .
Significance: Hidden fields empower form builders to enhance functionality, personalize workflows, and improve data collection without disrupting the user’s experience. They serve as a bridge between the front-end and backend systems, enabling tracking, security, logic, and state management, all invisibly embedded within the form. As a result, they play a key role in robust form-driven processes and analytics.
Use Cases:
- Timestamps & Identifiers: Automatically capture submission time or include a unique user/session ID.
- Marketing Tracking: Include UTM/campaign parameters to tie form submissions back to specific ad campaigns or referrals.
- CSRF Protection: Carry security tokens to ensure submissions are legitimate and guard against cross-site request forgery.
- A/B Testing & Workflow Controls: Embed flags or control values to direct users into specific form variants or backend workflows.