# CloudPages Smart Capture forms and data targets

*Marketing Cloud Engagement Foundations Study Guide · Marketing Cloud Engagement Basics · Last updated November 3, 2026 · https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/marketing-cloud-engagement-foundations/marketing-cloud-engagement-basics/cloudpages-smart-capture-forms-and-data-targets*

How to set up a CloudPages Smart Capture form: the sendable data extension behind it, the block settings for fields, hidden attributes and the confirmation message, how submissions enter a Multi-Step journey, and who may build and publish pages.

- Certification: Salesforce Marketing Cloud Engagement Foundations
- Exam section: Marketing Cloud Engagement Basics
- Study guide: https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/marketing-cloud-engagement-foundations

**Official exam objective:**

> Given requirements, determine a proper Cloudpage form submission setup.

## What the exam expects

- Set up the data extension a Smart Capture form writes to: sendable, created from new, Email Address related to Subscriber Key.
- Configure the Smart Capture block: Use in Journey Builder, the data target, visible fields and hidden attributes.
- Customise what a visitor sees after submitting, and know which tab holds that setting.
- Connect the form to a journey and recognise which journey type accepts it.
- Explain how a form plus a journey helps drive leads.
- Key terms: **CloudPages** (the Engagement app for landing pages, microsites and forms); **Smart Capture** (a form block that writes submissions to a data extension); **data target** (where submissions are stored); **hidden attribute** (a field submitted with a fixed value the visitor doesn't see); **CloudPages entry source** (the journey entry that admits form submitters).

## Key facts

| Fact | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Lead capture and nurture | Capture with a form, nurture in a journey, add to Sales Cloud as a lead or contact | [CloudPages](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mc_cp_cloudpages.htm&type=5&language=en_US), [Use a Smart Capture Form in Journey Builder](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mc_cp_use_a_smart_capture_form_as_a_journey_builder_entry_event.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |
| Where a form can go | Any CloudPages landing page or microsite | [Create a Smart Capture Form](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mc_cp_create_a_smart_capture_form_in_cloudpages.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |
| Data target | Sendable data extension, default retention | [Create a Smart Capture Form](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mc_cp_create_a_smart_capture_form_in_cloudpages.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |
| Send relationship | Email Address related with Subscriber Key | [Create a Smart Capture Form](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mc_cp_create_a_smart_capture_form_in_cloudpages.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |
| Confirmation message | Submit Options tab | [Create a Smart Capture Form](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mc_cp_create_a_smart_capture_form_in_cloudpages.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |
| Journey type | Multi-Step journeys only | [Use a Smart Capture Form in Journey Builder](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mc_cp_use_a_smart_capture_form_as_a_journey_builder_entry_event.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |
| Forms per journey | Each form used one time per journey | [Use a Smart Capture Form in Journey Builder](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mc_cp_use_a_smart_capture_form_as_a_journey_builder_entry_event.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |
| On submit | Added to a data extension and queued to enter | [Use CloudPages to Admit Contacts](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mc_jb_use_cloudpages_to_admit_contacts.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |
| Publishing | Publish/Unpublish permission, for external viewers | [CloudPages Permissions](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mc_cp_cloud_pages_permissions.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |

## Check yourself

- Which CloudPages permission makes content available to external viewers?
- How often may a given capture form appear inside the same journey?
- Why build the form before dragging its entry onto the canvas?
- When a journey started by the form includes an email, what must you finish before activating it?

## Sources

- [Create a Smart Capture Form](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mc_cp_create_a_smart_capture_form_in_cloudpages.htm&type=5&language=en_US)
- [Use a Smart Capture Form in Journey Builder](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mc_cp_use_a_smart_capture_form_as_a_journey_builder_entry_event.htm&type=5&language=en_US)
- [Use CloudPages to Admit Contacts into Journey Builder](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mc_jb_use_cloudpages_to_admit_contacts.htm&type=5&language=en_US)
- [CloudPages](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mc_cp_cloudpages.htm&type=5&language=en_US)
- [CloudPages Permissions](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mc_cp_cloud_pages_permissions.htm&type=5&language=en_US)

## About the full unit

The "Core concepts", "Exam traps" and "Worked scenario" sections of this unit, its 6 linked practice questions, and unlimited timed mock exams are included with the Marketing Cloud Engagement Foundations pack (USD $19): https://www.certifyforce.com/practice-exams