> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.lithoblocks.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Modals basics

> Create interactive Slack modal forms that open when users click buttons and collect structured input.

Modals are pop-up forms in Slack that appear when users click specially configured buttons. Use them for feedback, approvals with comments, data entry, and surveys.

## Prerequisites

* Basic understanding of [Interactive buttons](/guides/interactive-buttons)
* Familiarity with [Placeholders](/guides/templates-placeholders)
* Slack workspace connected

## Modal structure

A modal has:

1. **Title** — At the top (max 24 characters)
2. **Input blocks** — Form fields (text, textarea, select, checkboxes, datepicker, etc.)
3. **Submit button** — Custom label (default: "Submit")
4. **Close button** — Custom label (default: "Cancel")

## Input types

| Input Type            | Description                   | Use Case                   |
| --------------------- | ----------------------------- | -------------------------- |
| `plain_text_input`    | Single-line text              | Names, IDs, short answers  |
| `textarea`            | Multi-line text               | Comments, descriptions     |
| `static_select`       | Dropdown, single selection    | One option from a list     |
| `multi_static_select` | Dropdown, multiple selections | Categories, tags           |
| `checkboxes`          | Multiple checkboxes           | Multiple options (visible) |
| `radio_buttons`       | Single selection (visible)    | One option (visible)       |
| `datepicker`          | Date selector                 | Deadlines, scheduling      |
| `timepicker`          | Time selector                 | Appointment times          |

## Create a modal

1. Go to **Modals** in the sidebar
2. Click **Create Modal**
3. Set **Name** (internal), **Title** (shown to users), and optional **Description**
4. Optionally set **Submit Label** and **Close Label**
5. Add input blocks for each field (label, type, required/optional, validation)
6. Save the modal

## Open a modal from a button

1. Open your template and select a button
2. In button settings, click **Add Action** → **Open Modal**
3. Select your modal definition
4. Save the template

When the user clicks the button, the modal opens. Use [Data binding](/guides/modals-data-binding) to pre-fill fields from the message, and [Modal submissions](/guides/modals-submissions) to handle form submit (webhooks, message updates).

## Next steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Modal data binding" icon="link" href="/guides/modals-data-binding">
    Pre-fill modal fields from the message.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Modal submissions" icon="paper-plane" href="/guides/modals-submissions">
    Handle submit with webhooks and message updates.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>