Hello ​@AngelaGross ,

Thank you for reaching out here in Docusign Community.

Yes, you can change the default text in text boxes by setting the "Initial Value" field for the custom tag. Simply type the desired word or phrase that you want to appear as the default text when users select the custom tag.

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Best regards,
Marco Paulo | Docusign Community Moderator

I was more thinking of the gray text.  When I enter a clarification in a box that’s marked “required,” the people I want to fill in the field can still skip it.  I’d like the text to appear but still require the person to fill in a response.

Hello ​@AngelaGross 

Based on the context provided in the link below, it is not explicitly mentioned how to make a text field prefilled while still requiring it to be editable by recipients.

The properties discussed include making a field required or optional, entering data in the field and making it read-only, but not specifically about pre-filling a field while keeping it editable.

Therefore, the answer is no.

Field Properties

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Best regards,
Marco Paulo | Docusign Community Moderator