> ## Knowledge Base Index
> Fetch the complete knowledge base index at: https://help.formester.com/sitemap.xml
> Use this file to discover available pages before exploring further.
> Pure-Markdown content can be obtained by appending a '.md' suffix to the content URLs listed in the sitemap (without the trailing slash).

# Backend only forms

# How to Connect an HTML Form to a Backend
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If you have a form on your website but are struggling with storing and managing submissions, you don’t need to set up a database or write custom backend code. Using a backend service like **Formester**, you can securely capture all form submissions, filter spam, send real-time notifications, and integrate with third-party tools such as Google Sheets, Slack, or Zapier.

### Why Use a Backend for Your Forms
Connecting your HTML form to a backend allows you to:
* Store submissions securely without managing a database
* Filter out spam with built-in tools like reCAPTCHA or AI spam protection
* Receive real-time notifications for each submission
* Export submission data or integrate it with other tools for automation
This is especially useful if your website only has a static form or if you want to automate workflows without writing complex code.

### Step 1: Set Up a Backend Form
1. Log in to your backend service account.
2. Click **New Form** and choose **Backend Only**.
3. Rename your backend form for easy identification.
You will now have three options for integrating your HTML form with the backend:
* **Direct Form Action:** If you already have an HTML form, update the `action` attribute in the form tag with the backend URL.
* **New Form Code:** If you don’t have a form, use the provided HTML code to create a new form.
* **JavaScript Endpoint:** Use this method to submit data programmatically using a POST request.

### Step 2: Connect an Existing HTML Form
1. Copy the backend action URL.
2. Open your HTML form and update the `<form>` tag with the new `action` URL.
3. Save your changes and publish your website.
4. Test your form by submitting an entry. You should see a custom thank-you message once the submission is successful.

### Step 3: Manage Submissions
* Go to the **Submissions** tab in your backend dashboard.
* View all submitted data and make edits if needed.
* Mark spam entries or export submissions as CSV.
* Share an **edit link** for team collaboration.

### Step 4: Protect Your Form from Spam
1. Use **reCAPTCHA** protection:
    * Disabled, simple, or advanced options
    * Advanced reCAPTCHA can redirect spam submissions to a specific URL
2. Enable **AI Spam Protection** under settings to automatically detect and block spam using a trained AI model.

### Step 5: Automate Your Workflow
* Set up **email notifications** to alert your team of new submissions instantly.
* Integrate your form with third-party tools like CRMs, Google Sheets, or Zapier to automate workflows.
* Use these integrations to populate databases, send follow-up emails, or trigger other actions automatically.

### Final Thoughts
Connecting an HTML form to a backend eliminates the need for complex server-side coding while ensuring secure submission management. With built-in spam protection, real-time notifications, and third-party integrations, you can efficiently handle your form data and automate workflows.