Drupal Module Spotlight: Webform for Drupal 8

In the meantime, Drupal contributor Jacob Rockowitz had been working on the YAML Form module, which was a module used to define webforms in YAML files. At some point towards the end of 2017 YAML Form switched to the Webform namespace and Webform in D8 was born.

The Drupal 8 version of Webform will feel familiar to those with experience in the Drupal 7 version, but this is a completely new module and code base. It’s a really great tool for content creators to use, by giving them the ability to create complex forms without having to worry about code. However, as a developer, I found it tedious to create long forms through the Webform UI. Those days are in the past now, since Webform is a descendant of the YAML Form module, you still have the ability to define a form using YAML in the source tab of the build screen.

Direct editing in YAML really speeds things up for developers, and content creators can still use the UI to create and edit. It’s the best of both worlds.

The Webform module in Drupal 8 is such a powerful and fully featured form builder, that it could be reason enough alone for some site owners to switch to Drupal 8. If you run a site that is in need of new or dynamic forms on at least a monthly basis, then Drupal 8 + Webform would be a lifesaver and a budget saver. Personally, I find that Drupal 8 with Webform rivals any of the standalone form building tools available. There are dozens of features and settings that you get out of the box, and it’s easily extendible if you need to integrate with an outside service.

Like most things in Drupal 8, webforms created with Webform can be exported and synced as config. Webform also plays nice with Features if that’s your thing.

We still custom build many forms in Drupal 8 using the Form API, but Webform is a great tool to keep in mind when things need to be editable by administrators or when you just need a simple solution. It already deals with storage, email, and so many other things out of the box. If you have any webform needs, don’t hesitate giving Webform a shot.