What are collaborative field editing options and how do they work?

Collaborative Field Editing in BoldSign provides advanced controls for managing how multiple signers interact with shared form fields. These settings ensure that changes are transparent, acknowledged, and formally approved by all relevant parties.

This article explains the three available collaborative options:

• Require initials for changes
• Require approval for changes
• Required for collaborators

Require initials for changes

This option adds a layer of formal acknowledgment to changes made in a collaborative field.

How it works

• When this option is enabled, any collaborator who modifies the value of the field must provide their initials. This action serves as a clear record of who made the change and when.
• If another collaborator later alters the same field, they will also be required to provide initials, creating a transparent history of contributions.

How to use the require initials option

• Click Create New then select Create New Document.
• Add your recipients and prepare the document. Then click Next.

• On the Configure fields page, drag and drop a form field onto your document.
• Click the field to open its settings panel on the right.
• Use the Collaborative Settings dropdown to assign collaborators.

• Check the box next to Require Initials for changes.

• Click the Send button to send the document.

Require approval for changes

This option ensures that all signers consent to any changes made after they have already finished signing.

How it works

• When Require Approval is enabled, if a collaborator changes the value of the field after other recipients have already completed signing, a re-signing process is automatically triggered.
• The recipients who have already finished signing will receive notifications informing them that a change has been made. They will be required to open the document again and re-sign it to formally approve the updated value.
• This approval cycle continues if changes are made. If a recipient makes another change during the re-signing process, any other party who has already signed will be asked to re-sign again. This loop ensures all parties agree on the final value.

How to use the require approval option

• Click Create New then select Create New Document.
• Add your recipients and prepare the document. Then click Next.

• On the Configure fields page, drag and drop a form field onto your document.
• Click the field to open its settings panel on the right.
• Use the Collaborative Settings dropdown to assign collaborators.

• Check the box next to Require Approval for changes.

• Send the document out for signature.

Required for collaborators

This option ensures that essential information is never missed. The field must be completed by collaborators before signing, it cannot be left empty.

How it works

Enabling this setting makes the collaborative field mandatory. The collaborator must provide a value to the field to complete the signing process. This ensures that the field is always filled with a value during document completion.

How to use the required for collaborators option

• Click Create New then select Create New Document.
• Add your recipients and prepare the document. Then click Next.

• On the Configure fields page, drag and drop a form field onto your document.
• Click the field to open its settings panel on the right.
• Use the Collaborative Settings dropdown to assign collaborators.

• Use the Collaborative Settings dropdown to assign collaborators.
• Check the box next to Required for Collaborators.

• Send the document out for signature.

Related Articles

• What is collaborative field editing and how does it work?
• How to create a collaborative field editing for form fields?