> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.civiform.us/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.civiform.us/user-manual/civiform-admin-guide/working-with-questions/universal-and-pai.md). # Universal and Primary Applicant Information questions ### Universal questions Universal questions are questions that are intended to be used by all programs. When a question is marked as universal, it appears at the top in a separate section in the questions tab and in the questions list sidebar when creating a program. Any question may be set as a universal question. When creating or editing a question, select the following toggle to make the question universal. ![](/files/zFDezRZWx4xPUgr0yBeh) It then shows up in the questions tab, as well as the questions list sidebar. ![](/files/zqs0a25EvLJjdWQ2vF5Q) ![](/files/Ws0HmuFE846MosUJ6IXG) On the programs tab, each program notes how many of the universal questions are used in the program. ![](/files/kH0DJIZ1EoZYHt1kp3OI) If a CiviForm Admin attempts to publish a program that does not contain all universal questions, a warning will be shown, but the program may be published anyway. ![](/files/edoHGCzj3KBSKNk6d2mp) ### Primary Applicant Information questions Primary Applicant Information (PAI) questions are a subset of Universal questions that allow the system to take actions based on answers to those questions given by a logged in or guest user. There are currently four types of questions that may be marked as PAI questions: * Name questions * Email questions * Phone number questions * Date questions (should only be used for date of birth questions) > \[!NOTE] A question MUST be marked as a Universal question before it can be marked as a PAI question. Only one instance of a question type may be marked as the PAI question for that question type at a time. When an applicant answers a question marked as a PAI question, specific actions may be taken using their answer. The current available system actions are: * Searching applications by name, email, and phone number * Emailing guest users status updates about their applications * Pre-populating applications with information entered when a Trusted Intermediary (TI) creates a client * Updating TI client information based on answers to application questions For questions that may be marked as PAI questions, you will see an additional section appear when you toggle the "Set as a universal question" toggle. The "Primary application information" section that appears will describe what system actions apply for this question type, and will allow you to set the question as the PAI question for this question type. Before: ![](/files/3BoaYXqjfw9ycjizIesl) After: ![](/files/cK32fm46lWenPnHhPiZl) --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter: ``` GET https://docs.civiform.us/user-manual/civiform-admin-guide/working-with-questions/universal-and-pai.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.