How to submit an idea
To submit an idea, open a collection, click Contribute under its description, answer the questions and click the button at the bottom of the form. Your idea is saved straight away and lands in the collection’s Inbox.
Who can do this: members who can see the collection, and guests it has been shared with, as long as the collection is open for contributions. Collection managers and Admins can also submit.
A collection is the place where your organisation gathers ideas around one question or challenge. Some collections call the things you share feedback, posts, insights, solutions or suggestions instead of ideas. It all works the same way.
Find the collection
- Open the page or link that shows the collection. Collections usually sit on a page you reach from Home.
- Click the collection to open it.
- Read the title and description at the top. They tell you what the collection is asking for.
You can also browse the ideas other people have already shared. They are listed below the description, newest first.
Fill in the form
- Click Contribute under the collection description. Some collections use their own label for this button.
- Answer the questions. All questions are on one page, in the order the collection managers chose. An asterisk marks a required question. Any help text from the managers sits under the question.
- If the collection asks for files, drop them in the upload box or click it to pick files. The first image you upload becomes the cover picture on your idea’s card. See Adding files to an idea.
- If you see a Hide from other members box at the bottom, you can tick it to keep your idea out of view for ordinary members. See Hidden ideas, hidden names and anonymous collections.
- Click the button at the bottom of the form. It has the same label as the Contribute button.
By default, a new collection asks for a Title (required), a Description (required) and an Attachment (optional). Collection managers can change, add or remove questions, so the form you see may look different.
The questions can be:
| Question type | How you answer |
|---|---|
| Text | Type a short answer or a longer text |
| Number | Move a slider to pick a number |
| Options | Click one or more option cards |
| Rating | Move one slider for each thing you are asked to rate |
| File upload | Add files, up to 10 per question and 1 GB each |
If the submit button stays grey, a required question still needs an answer. Hover over the button to see which ones. See Why can’t I submit my idea?
If you close the form by mistake
Hives does not save drafts. If you close the form after typing something, Hives asks Are you sure you want to discard your changes?
- Click Keep editing to go back to your form.
- Click Discard to throw your answers away.
If you need time to think, write your idea somewhere else first and paste it in when you are ready.
After you submit
A thank-you message appears, with a short burst of confetti. The collection managers may have written their own message here. You can then:
- click Done to close it, or
- click Submit another to open an empty form and share one more idea.
Your new idea appears first in the collection. It starts in the Inbox, where the collection managers pick it up. To learn what happens next, see What happens after you submit an idea.
Common questions
Can I submit an idea without signing in? Only if the collection managers allow it through a share link. See Submitting an idea through a share link.
Can I change my idea after submitting? Yes, you can change the answers you gave. See How to edit or delete your idea.
Is my name shown on my idea? Usually yes. Some collections hide names or save ideas anonymously. See Hidden ideas, hidden names and anonymous collections.
Why is the Contribute button grey? The collection may be closed, or only open to its managers. See Why can’t I submit my idea?