Documentation

Locator Button Field

Last modified: December 5, 2025

Introduction

The Locator Button Field in Formidable Geolocation allows users to instantly detect their current location and populate connected geolocation fields. It integrates with the Geocoder Field and other Formidable Geolocation fields, enabling automated address detection and map updates.

By default, the Locator Button uses the browser’s built-in HTML5 Geolocation API. When permission is denied or unavailable, you may optionally enable an IP-based lookup as a fallback. This makes the field useful for delivery workflows, check-ins, service areas, and mobile-based location submissions.

Note: This documentation covers the geolocation-specific settings only. Standard Formidable field options (labels, CSS classes, conditional logic, etc.) remain available as usual.

Configuring the Locator Button Field

The Locator Button Field includes several options for controlling how locations are detected, how the results are displayed, and how the field interacts with other geolocation tools in your form.

Formidable Forms Locator Button Field
Locator Button Field options panel.

1. Geocoder Field

Select which Geocoder Field will store the detected coordinates and any connected address data. This link ensures that the Locator Button properly updates all synchronized geolocation fields in the form.

Note: Make sure a Geocoder Field already exists in your form. For setup instructions, see the Geocoder Field documentation.

2. IP Address Locator

Choose how the Locator Button should use IP-based geolocation. This method does not require user permission but is less precise than HTML5 geolocation.

  • Disabled: Do not use IP lookup (Default).
  • Default: Use the configured IP provider as the primary geolocation method when HTML5 geolocation is unavailable.
  • Fallback: Use IP lookup only when the browser fails to detect the user’s location.


To use IP detection, first choose a provider in the global Formidable Geolocation settings (e.g., Ipapi.co, Ipinfo.io, Ipregistry).

3. Messages

Location Found Message

Enter the message shown when the user’s location is successfully retrieved
(Example: Location found!).

Note: Leave blank to disable this message.

Hide Location Failed Message

Check this option to suppress the popup shown when geolocation fails. Errors will still be logged in the browser console for debugging.

Setting Up and Using the Locator Button Field

To effectively use the Locator Button Field:

  1. Add the Locator Button Field to your form from the Formidable builder.
  2. Select a Geocoder Field to store and synchronize the detected coordinates.
  3. Choose IP Locator behavior (Disabled, Default, or Fallback).
  4. Customize user messages based on your workflow.
  5. Test in a live preview to ensure the button retrieves and updates the location as expected.
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