Media and Embed Fields

Media and embed fields let you display visual content within your form and capture audio/video recordings from respondents. This guide covers how to embed images, videos, and PDFs, as well as how to collect video and audio recordings.

Embed Image

The embed image field displays an image inside your form. Unlike a file upload field (where the respondent uploads), the embed image is content you provide that respondents see as part of the form experience.

Adding an Image

1. Find Embed Image in the field panel under the Media category.
2. Drag it onto the canvas where you want the image to appear.
3. In the settings panel, either upload an image from your computer or paste an image URL. Supported formats include JPG, PNG, GIF, WebP, and SVG.

Configuration

• Alt text — Enter descriptive text for accessibility. Screen readers use this to describe the image to visually impaired respondents. Always fill this in.
• Sizing — Choose how the image fits within the form:
  • Original — Displays at the image’s native resolution (up to the form width).
  • Full width — Stretches to fill the entire form width.
  • Custom — Set a specific width and height in pixels or percentage.
• Alignment — Align the image left, center, or right within the form.
• Border radius — Round the corners of the image for a softer look.

Use Cases

Display product images before asking for feedback, show a diagram that respondents need to reference when answering questions, add your company logo at the top of the form, or display a chart or infographic as context for survey questions.

Embed Video

The embed video field displays a video from YouTube or Vimeo directly within your form. Respondents can watch the video without leaving the form.

Adding a Video

1. Find Embed Video in the field panel under the Media category.
2. Drag it onto the canvas.
3. Paste the YouTube or Vimeo URL in the settings panel. WittyForm automatically extracts the embed code.

Configuration

• Autoplay — Start playing the video automatically when the respondent reaches it. Note that most browsers require videos to be muted for autoplay to work.
• Required watch — When enabled, the respondent must watch the video to a certain point (or to the end) before they can proceed to the next field or page. A progress indicator shows how much they have watched.
• Aspect ratio — Choose 16:9 (standard widescreen), 4:3, or 1:1 (square). The video player scales responsively within this ratio.

Use Cases

Show a training video before a quiz, display a product demo before a feedback form, embed an instructional video explaining how to complete the form, or present a video message from your team to personalize the form experience.

Embed PDF

The embed PDF field displays a PDF document inline within your form. Respondents can read through the document without downloading it or leaving the form.

Adding a PDF

1. Find Embed PDF in the field panel under the Media category.
2. Drag it onto the canvas.
3. Upload a PDF file or paste a URL to a publicly accessible PDF.

Configuration

• Page navigation — The PDF viewer includes page controls so respondents can navigate through multi-page documents. Buttons for previous page, next page, and page number entry are provided.
• Height — Set the height of the PDF viewer in pixels. The default is 500px, which fits about one page. Adjust based on how much of the document you want visible at once.
• Download option — Toggle whether respondents can download the PDF. When enabled, a download button appears in the viewer toolbar.
• Zoom — Respondents can zoom in and out within the viewer. You can set the initial zoom level.

Use Cases

Display a contract or agreement for review before collecting a signature, show a product specification sheet before a feedback form, present terms and conditions that respondents must read before proceeding, or embed reference materials that help respondents answer questions.

Video and Audio Capture

Video and audio capture fields let respondents record themselves using their device’s camera and microphone. The recording is captured directly within the form and submitted as part of the response.

Adding a Capture Field

1. Find Video Capture or Audio Capture in the field panel under the Media category.
2. Drag it onto the canvas.
3. Configure the recording settings in the right panel.

Configuration

• Max duration — Set the maximum recording length. Options range from 15 seconds to 10 minutes. Shorter limits keep file sizes manageable and encourage concise responses.
• File size limit — Set the maximum file size for the recording. This depends on your plan’s storage limits and the quality settings.
• Camera selection (video only) — On devices with multiple cameras, the respondent can choose which camera to use. You can set a default preference for front-facing or rear-facing camera.
• Countdown — Show a 3-second countdown before recording starts, giving the respondent time to prepare.
• Playback — After recording, the respondent can preview their recording and re-record if they are not satisfied before submitting.

Permissions

When a respondent reaches a video or audio capture field, their browser requests permission to access the camera and/or microphone. The respondent must grant permission to record. If permission is denied, the field displays instructions for how to enable camera/microphone access in their browser settings.

It is a good practice to add a statement block before the capture field explaining that the form will request camera or microphone access and why the recording is needed.

Storage

Recordings are uploaded and stored securely in WittyForm’s cloud storage. Video recordings are saved in MP4 format and audio recordings in WebM format. They count toward your plan’s storage quota.

In the response detail view, recordings can be played back directly in the browser. They are also available for download.

Use Cases

Collect video testimonials from customers, have job applicants record a brief introduction, capture audio feedback for podcast listener surveys, collect video evidence for insurance claims or maintenance requests, or gather voice responses for accessibility when typing is difficult.

Best Practices

• Always add alt text to embedded images for accessibility. It also helps with SEO if your form is publicly indexed.
• Optimize image file sizes before uploading. Large images slow down form loading times.
• Use the “required watch” option on embedded videos only when watching the content is genuinely necessary (e.g., training videos before a quiz). Forcing video views on optional content will frustrate respondents.
• Set reasonable max durations for video and audio capture. Most respondents will not record more than 1–2 minutes, and shorter limits result in more focused responses.
• Warn respondents before capture fields that their camera or microphone will be needed. Unexpected permission requests can cause form abandonment.
• Test embedded PDFs across devices. Some mobile browsers have limited PDF rendering capabilities, so verify the experience for your audience.