Overview of available form items
Standard items
Text – allows input of alphanumeric characters. Single line option is intended for short input, while Multiline option supports input of more than one line text.
Number – allows input of numeric values.
Date and Time – allows you to select Time and Date together or just Time or just Date. When collecting Date and Time, the collector’s timezone is submitted as well, learn more about it here.
Select list – is used to create a dropdown list. Define the name and in the Details define each field value and, optionally, a title or alias which will be visible to the person in the field. You can set one value as a default one. You can also create group values.
Checkboxes – enables users to have multiple selected values at the same time.
Radio buttons – similar to the Select list, but more suitable for a simpler input with just a few options. While in the Select list you only see the chosen value, with Radio buttons all optional values are visible at all times and it saves you a tap.
Signature – allows you to capture an electronic signature on your survey and use it as proof of authenticity and data integrity.
Hidden field – define a hidden field with default value (not visible to a user / the collector).
Media
Photos – allows taking photos in the field or uploading them from the device’s album. Note that you can add multiple photos into one photo field.
Audio recording – allows recording audio in the field (up to 5 minutes long). For newer devices (Android 8.1 and higher) the audio recorder is built in the MDC app. This is resulting in a smooth recording experience and no need for switching between apps, even though the switch happens automatically.
QR/Barcode – allows recognizing QR codes and barcodes. This way a collector in the field can input attributes by scanning a code instead of typing values.
Device and user
These form items are invisible to a data collector in the field.
Username – the collector’s username will be automatically added by every data submission. If the feature is edited, this field will record the username of the user who last edited it.
Device ID – ID will be automatically assigned to every device and entered by every data submission.
Device Model – device model will be automatically entered by every data submission.
Device Version – device version will be automatically entered on every data submission.
Device Platform – OS version will be automatically entered on every data submission.
Location
These form items are invisible to a data collector in the field. The accuracy depends on the GPS of the device, but you can connect to external GPS to improve it..
Latitude – the latitude of the data collected using GPS. Column data type should be set to Real.
Longitude – the longitude of the data collected using GPS. Column data type should be set to Real.
Altitude – the altitude of the data collected using GPS. If Pinpoint is used, the altitude value is left blank. The column data type should be set to Integer or Real.
Speed – records the speed at which the device is moving. If Pinpoint is used, the speed value is left blank. The column data type should be set to Integer.
GPS Heading – records the direction the device is moving in. If Pinpoint is used, the GPS heading value is left blank. The column data type should be set to Real.
Compass Heading – records the orientation of the device. The column data type should be set to Real.
Accuracy – records the accuracy of the GPS location in metres (m). It is set to 0 if Pinpoint tool is used. The column data type should be set to Real.
Altitude Accuracy – records the altitude accuracy of the GPS location in metres (m). If Pinpoint is used, the altitude value is left blank. The column data type should be set to Integer or Real.
Time – records the time when the device has submitted data (converted into the local timezone of the viewer). It refers to time information about the location of the device. For example, if GPS is used to send location data, then it refers to the time of the last received GPS location. If pinpoint is used, then it refers to the time of the last accepted point. The column data type should be set to String, Integer or Real.
Options
Individual settings for each item added to the project form, if the field type supports the option.
Persistent – normally, after data has successfully been submitted, the value of the field is reset – emptied or set to the default value. Persistent fields retain last entered value. This way you can avoid entering oftenly repeated values.
Required – data submission will be disabled if there is no data entered in the required field. A popup warning message appears.
Read-only – the owner of the project controls which forms fields can be edited (input made by field data collectors), and which are in the form of static non-editable data.
Form Field Descriptions – a feature that provides an additional description of optional length to a particular field.
Default value – defined value will be entered in the specified column by default.
Autofill – a feature that fetches values from existing features on the map depending on your current location, it enters the value already submitted from the closest feature.
Dependencies – Dependent fields allow you to manage sets of dependencies between fields. When a field is dependent it will only be available for editing and displayed if the state of the parent field satisfies the right rule. If the rule is not satisfied, it will not be possible to view or edit dependent form fields. Learn more about dependencies on form items. Also, you can create dependencies on value items as well.
Unique value – specify which form items should be used to collect unique data, if you enable this option you will not be able to collect duplicate data. Learn how to enable this option and check out some examples here.
Note: Certain column data types are specified for forms created via Forms Manager in Map Editor and connected to a layer. Make sure to follow the suggestions to avoid any data loss. In case the MDC project is created through the MDC Portal, the table structure (column types and names) is defined automatically. Learn all about creating data collecting forms in MDC and in Map Editor.