Title: Update Question
Last modified: August 22, 2016

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# Update Question

 *  Resolved [Gecko](https://wordpress.org/support/users/gecko1952/)
 * (@gecko1952)
 * [11 years, 7 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/update-question-5/)
 * I have a site that I took over that is running Version 3.5.4 of CF7
    I would 
   now like to update to the latest version of Cf7 to utilize the “Exclude lines
   with blank mail-tags from output” option available in the latest version. My 
   concern is one of the CG7 forms is quite large with well over 50 fields and options.
 * Do I have to worry about any major changes that would affect the current forms
   if I update?
 * [https://wordpress.org/plugins/contact-form-7/](https://wordpress.org/plugins/contact-form-7/)

Viewing 5 replies - 1 through 5 (of 5 total)

 *  [Neil Murray](https://wordpress.org/support/users/buzztone/)
 * (@buzztone)
 * [11 years, 7 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/update-question-5/#post-5238905)
 * > RE: Do I have to worry about any major changes that would affect the current
   > forms if I update?
 * Definately – CF7 3.5.4 is a ​​seriously old version. You will need to do sensible
   backup and offline testing for this update.
 * ​​I expect you will have to do some adjusting on the fields and options.
 * You might also consider at the same time redesigning the form to reduce the number
   of fields. I can’t believe that most users would be willing to fill in a form
   with that many fields & options.
 *  Thread Starter [Gecko](https://wordpress.org/support/users/gecko1952/)
 * (@gecko1952)
 * [11 years, 7 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/update-question-5/#post-5238910)
 * Thank you for the reply buzztone,
 * > ​​I expect you will have to do some adjusting on the fields and options.
 * Can you give me any suggestions on what I might need to adjust in the fields 
   and options?
 * Here is one of the current text field’s short-code [text* PetName id:PetName 
   class:oddrow], what would need changed in this example?
 * I downloaded the latest release of CF7 the oldest version listed in the Changelog
   is 3.8, so not much help there.
 * As for the size of the form, it’s an application for boarding your dog, my client(
   site owner) has many required fields, vet info, dog’s health, dog’s personality…
   it now has a second dog set of fields that is shown/hidden with a java script.
 *  [Neil Murray](https://wordpress.org/support/users/buzztone/)
 * (@buzztone)
 * [11 years, 7 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/update-question-5/#post-5238926)
 * > RE: Can you give me any suggestions on what I might need to adjust in the fields
   > and options?
 * No – you would just need to fix any fields that show problems.
    ​
 * > ​​​RE: my client (site owner) has many required fields, vet info, dog’s health,
   > dog’s personality
 * IMHO that is way too much info for a web form – especially if the form is the
   first point of contact with a potential customer.
 * If you do some A/B testing you​​ will typically find a significant drop off rate
   in people completing forms with more than 10 questions. Above 20 questions the
   drop off rate could easily be 80% plus.
 * In this case I would use a much shorter web form which establishes the initial
   contact​​ with the key info necessary for follow up of further questions via 
   email.
 * ​​But the client probably won’t listen to that – they rarely do.
 *  Thread Starter [Gecko](https://wordpress.org/support/users/gecko1952/)
 * (@gecko1952)
 * [11 years, 7 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/update-question-5/#post-5238929)
 * > In this case I would use a much shorter web form which establishes the initial
   > contact​​ with the key info necessary for follow up of further questions via
   > email.
 * That is almost exactly what I told my client during our first meeting, suggesting
   a more simple initial contact form, then use email to gather the remaining information.
 * >  ​​But the client probably won’t listen to that – they rarely do.
 * You’ve got that right, they insisted on keeping the huge application form.
 *  Thread Starter [Gecko](https://wordpress.org/support/users/gecko1952/)
 * (@gecko1952)
 * [11 years, 7 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/update-question-5/#post-5238931)
 * I installed the latest version of CF7 on my sandbox site, copied over the huge
   form content and it’s message body. Everything displays the same and the received
   email was also good.
 * I then upgraded to live site to the latest CF7 and all is well, no changes needed
   for fields and options.

Viewing 5 replies - 1 through 5 (of 5 total)

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## Tags

 * [upgrade](https://wordpress.org/support/topic-tag/upgrade/)

 * 5 replies
 * 2 participants
 * Last reply from: [Gecko](https://wordpress.org/support/users/gecko1952/)
 * Last activity: [11 years, 7 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/update-question-5/#post-5238931)
 * Status: resolved