Split fields will be released on 10 November 2026. Until then, a split tag is not recognised and is left in the document as ordinary text.
You can now add split fields to your documents. A split field collects one value across a row of cells that line up with the boxes printed on a form, such as a card number, a sort code or a National Insurance number. You place one field over the boxes instead of one text field per box.
Nothing changes for existing documents, templates or tags.
A split field is made of cells, runs and gaps:
- A cell holds one character.
- A run is a group of cells that sit together. A field has between 1 and 20 runs, and each run has between 1 and 25 cells.
- The cell gap is the space between cells, shared by every run.
- The run gap is the space between runs.
A card number printed as 1234 5678 9012 3456 has four runs of 4 cells.
Use the new split field type in your tags, with options added after split:
{split,l=9:signer1:Reference}
{split,l=4-4-4-4,cg=2,rg=4:signer1:Card+Number}| Option | Meaning |
|---|---|
l= | Layout. One cell count per run, joined by -. Required unless you use p= |
cg= | Cell gap, in PDF units. Defaults to 0 |
rg= | Run gap, in PDF units. Defaults to 0 |
p= | A preset, which sets what the signer can enter and, for most presets, the layout |
Make a split field optional with ?, as with other fields: {split?,l=9:signer1:Reference}.
A split tag with a problem, such as a missing l= or p=, or a preset we do not recognise, is ignored and no field is created.
Presets cover common UK references, such as card_number, sort_code, national_insurance, utr and postcode. A preset restricts what the signer can enter and sets the layout in one go:
{split,p=card_number:signer1:Card+Number}The numeric, alphabetical and alphanumeric presets only limit which characters the signer can enter, so use them with l=:
{split,p=numeric,l=8:signer1:Reference}Split tags are longer than most, so we've added a tag builder. Choose Split, set the layout, gaps and preset, then copy the tag into your document.
You can find the full list of presets, options and rules in Split field.
If your integration validates field_type against a fixed list, add split to it before the 10th of November 2026.