Abstract: Methods and systems for form design and data input collection are described. The method at a server system includes receiving a form template in which multiple cells are provided in an array, wherein in the form template a plurality of the cells define formula-based values, and a plurality of the cells include metadata specifying a required format of a cell input. The method includes rendering the form template as a form instance including providing displayable input controls for fields of the form instance based on the cell metadata in corresponding cells of the form template; receiving user inputs into fields in the form instance; and evaluating user inputs to update formula-based values for cells.