# Inquiries: Masked Text form component

> The Masked Text Inquiry component collects sensitive data like Social Security numbers in a set format. Define the format with #, @, and * patterns.

Source: https://help.withpersona.com/articles/7xmjUKC1mzhy1oFapPzwei/
Section: Inquiries > Features > Screen Components

## What is the Inquiry Masked Text form component?

**Masked Text** is an Inquiry form component that adds a text field to the screen. It allows users to enter text in a specific format, while ensuring data privacy and consistency.

![maskedtextform_screenshot](https://assets.withpersona.com/f_auto,q_auto/help-center/articles/inquiries/masked-text.png '1219x533')

A **Masked Text** form component is ideal for collecting sensitive user information, such as Social Security numbers or other private identification numbers.

## How do you add an Inquiry Masked Text form component?

1.  Navigate to the Dashboard, and click on **Inquiries > Templates**.
2.  Find and click on the Inquiry template you want to edit, or **Create** a new template.
3.  Hover over a screen and click the **Pencil** icon, or double-click the screen to open it in the Screen Editing View.

    ![component-edit](https://assets.withpersona.com/f_auto,q_auto/help-center/articles/inquiries/component-edit.png '740x298')

4.  In the Left Panel, search the Component Library for ‘**Masked Text**'.
5.  Drag and drop the Masked Text form component into your screen, and reposition it by dragging it around.
6.  Click on the Masked Text form component to open its settings in the Right Panel. The panel has three tabs: **Design**, **Data**, and **Logic**.
    1.  On the **Design** tab, under **Properties**:
        1.  **Label**: Set the label shown above the field. The **Label** is a text element displayed above the Masked Text component to describe its purpose, such as “Business tax identification number,” helping users understand what information to provide.
        2.  **Placeholder**: Set the placeholder text shown inside the empty field. The **Placeholder** displays temporary text inside the Masked Text component, such as “##-#######” offering an example of the expected format until the user enters their own input.
        3.  **Tooltip Text**: Set the tooltip text that gives users more context.
        4.  **Format**: Determines the formatting of the entered text. Use **#** for any number, **@** for any letter, and **\*** for either. Use literal characters to set required characters, so a format of “qwe” means the entered text must begin with “qwe”.
    2.  On the **Design** tab, use the **Layout**, **Typography**, and **Appearance** sections to style the component. See the Design tab section on the [Screen Step components in Inquiries](https://help.withpersona.com/articles/6bdXdAJjp5OE93u7L6AgNT/) page for details.
    3.  On the **Data** tab, choose the field the input is written to, and customize the field’s behavior, such as whether it is required and whether the input can be prefilled with previously submitted values, even when masking is applied. You can also add custom validation rules to control when the entry is considered valid. See the Data tab section on the [Screen Step components in Inquiries](https://help.withpersona.com/articles/6bdXdAJjp5OE93u7L6AgNT/) page for details.
    4.  On the **Logic** tab, add rules that govern when the component appears, and when it does not. See the Logic tab section on the [Screen Step components in Inquiries](https://help.withpersona.com/articles/6bdXdAJjp5OE93u7L6AgNT/) page for details.
7.  Use the actions at the top right of the panel to copy, delete, or set translations on the component. To translate the text, see [Editing translations for your Inquiry](https://help.withpersona.com/articles/1vMFCXQxDsdpZ2YI4eguFd/).
8.  **Close** the step. You’ll have to **Save** and **Publish** the template to begin using it.

## Plans Explained

### Masked Text form component by plan

|                            | Startup Program | Essential Plan | Growth Plan | Enterprise Plan |
| -------------------------- | --------------- | -------------- | ----------- | --------------- |
| Masked Text form component | Available       | Available      | Available   | Available       |

[Learn more about pricing and plans](https://withpersona.com/pricing?utm_source=product&utm_medium=referral&utm_audience=a&utm_campaign=cm_gen_ds_hc-plan-table).