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Importing form templates

Import form and screening form templates from the library, or turn an existing PDF into a draft template that you can review and edit.

Forms & consents4 min readUpdated

Use Forms when you want to create a reusable form template without starting from a blank form. Library imports copy a predefined template into your organization. PDF imports create a draft from an existing document, which you should review before using with patients.

How do I import a form from the library?

Use Forms to import a predefined form or screening template from the Library. Importing copies the template into your organization so you can customize it.

1Library2Forms
The Forms page shows the template library with search, category filters, and template cards with Preview and Import actions.
  1. In the left sidebar, click Library, then click Forms.
  2. In Library, choose a category such as Intake, Depression, Anxiety & stress, Trauma, Substance use, Neurodevelopmental, Early adversity, Wellbeing or Feedback.
  3. Search if you want to narrow the list by title, description or question text.
  4. Select Preview to review the template.
  5. Select Import.

Ona adds the template to your forms and shows a success message titled Imported. If the import fails, Ona shows Couldn't import and asks you to try again in a moment.

How do I preview a library form before importing it?

Use Forms to preview a library template when you want to check the questions, answer types and references before importing it.

  1. In the left sidebar, click Library, then click Forms.
  2. Find the template in Library.
  3. Select Preview.
  4. Review the form in the preview window.
  5. Select Import to copy it, or Close to leave without importing.

The preview is read-only. Importing from the preview adds the form to your organization and closes the preview.

How do I import a form from a PDF?

Use Forms to turn an existing PDF into a draft form template. PDF import is best for typed forms and questionnaires that you want to rebuild in Ona.

  1. In the left sidebar, click Library, then click Forms.
  2. Select New Form.
  3. Select Import from PDF.
  4. Choose a PDF file.
  5. Keep the window open while Ona reads the questions and layout.

When the PDF is read, Ona opens the draft in the builder. Review every block before saving and sending the form to patients.

How do I review a PDF import before using it?

In the left sidebar, click Library, then click Forms. Use the builder after a PDF import to confirm that the draft matches the original document. The review step is part of the PDF import workflow.

The form builder shows a form template canvas with editable blocks and template settings.
  1. Read the Imported from PDF — review every block before saving banner.
  2. Check each block against the original PDF.
  3. Fix questions, answer choices and required settings where needed.
  4. Review any warnings shown in the banner, including any additional warnings hidden behind the expand button.
  5. Dismiss the banner only after you no longer need the warnings on screen.

After review, continue editing the template like any other form. See Building forms and Building self-scoring screening forms for the form builder details.

What can't I do here?

In the left sidebar, click Library, then click Forms. Importing has these limits:

  • PDF import accepts PDF files only.
  • PDF files must be 20 MB or smaller.
  • The import window cannot be closed while Ona is reading the PDF.
  • PDF import creates a draft. You still need to review every block before saving and using it.
  • The Library only shows matching templates. If a search or category has no matches, choose another category or clear the search.

Common questions

Can I edit a form after importing it?

Yes. Library imports and PDF imports become templates in your organization. You can edit them in the form builder.

Can I import screening forms from the library?

Yes. The library includes screening categories such as Depression, Anxiety & stress, Trauma, Substance use, Neurodevelopmental, Early adversity, Wellbeing and Feedback.

Why does the PDF import say to review every block?

PDF import reads the document and builds a draft. Compare the draft with the original PDF and fix anything that was skipped, changed or interpreted incorrectly before using it.

What should I do if PDF import fails?

Select Choose another file if the dialog shows an error, or, in the left sidebar, click Library, then click Forms and build the form by hand from New Form.

Where do patients complete imported forms?

After you send a form to a patient, they can complete it from a secure form link. See Sending forms and consents for sending workflows.

Related guides

Building formsCreate form templates, import starting points, add questions and conditional sections, and send forms for patients to complete and sign.7 min readBuilding self-scoring screening formsTurn a form into a screener by assigning point values, severity bands and risk flags. Send the form to a patient or complete it in person, then review the score after submission.6 min readSending forms and consents to patientsSend forms and consents to patients, schedule form sends, fill a form in the clinic, resend links, cancel scheduled forms, and share one-time completion links when a patient cannot be notified.6 min readCompleting forms and consents in the clinicAdd forms to a patient, choose whether the patient completes a form in person or by secure link, and manage pending, scheduled and submitted forms from the patient chart. Secure links for forms and consents do not require patient sign-in.7 min read

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