Abstract Task

The Abstract task allows Admin users to define specific fields, topics, instructions, and questions that will appear to submitters on a live Scorecard. It can be filtered by submission type and customized with various field options, including long-response prompts and character limits.

The following instructions will guide you through editing and activating an Abstract task after it has been added from the Task Index. For help on how to add a task, please refer to the Add a New Task help tip.

To edit an Abstract task, follow these instructions:

Click on the row for the Abstract task you want to edit.
Select the Edit button.

Update the Task Title to the task name you want the submitter to see on the live Scorecard.
Choose which Submission Types this task should be filtered to.

Task Editor with Task Title and Task Filter showing

You may choose to edit additional fields within the task settings. The gray text next to each setting provides guidance on where each field or text will appear on the Scorecard.

NOTE

Not all settings listed in this article may be applicable to your Scorecard.

Task Summary and Instructions

The Task Summary provides a brief overview of the task that will appear on the submitter's task list. In the Primary Instructions field, you can write detailed instructions for the task that submitters will see.

Topics and Sub-Topics within the Abstract Task

If you have already added Topics and Sub-Topics in the Submission Options, set the appropriate drop-down menus to Yes. Then, enter the instructions that submitters will see within the Abstract Task.

For Secondary Topics and Sub-Topics, specify whether they should be required or optional. For Sub-Topics, choose whether to collect them using radio buttons or check boxes.

Topics and Sub-Topics within the Abstract Task

Abstract Customizable Questions

These three fields within the Abstract Task allow you to ask questions that can be marked as required or optional, with response options provided via a check box or drop-down menu for the submitter.

NOTE

Aside from the Topic fields, these are the ONLY fields in the Abstract task that offer a check box or drop-down menu selection.

Abstract Fields

The Abstract Task settings include sixteen fields where submitters can provide long-form responses to prompts or questions. These are the only fields, aside from the Submission Title, that allow you to set a minimum or maximum word count, and you can also enforce character limits. Additionally, you can use Rich Text Field Editors to capture special characters in the Abstract field body. Abstract fields can be marked as either required or optional.

NOTE

Abstract Field 1 must be filled out to save the task.

Activate the Task by changing the the status from Inactive to Active using the status drop-down menu.
Then, update the Task Order to determine the position of the task on the submitter’s task list.
Select Update Task in the upper right corner of the page to save your changes. If any required fields are missing, a warning message will appear at the top of your screen.

Task Editor with Status, Task Order and Update Task highlighted

NOTE

If you have created an Abstract task for specific Submission Types and want to reuse the same task for a different Submission Type with minimal edits, please refer to the Duplicating and Filtering Tasks article for instructions.

Once the Abstract task(s) have been added, edited, and filtered, test your Submission Site by logging in as a user on the Scorecard.

If you have any questions, please contact your Project Manager.

Last modified Mar 03, 2025