Add data to a repeat table in two places on a survey

Question

I have a form that collects information for a vegetation survey.  The field crews workflow includes collecting one set of metrics on a list of plant species in one step and later a second set of metrics on the same plant species list ... with one catch:  they need to be able to add species to the lists in either work flow.

I've been successful in populating the repeat fields as read only in the second part of the form and allowing new fields to be populated for the new metrics, but I can't figure out how to add new plants in both places.

Pine, 20% Aerial cover

Birch, 20% Aerial cover

Grass, 60% Aerial cover

*Add a species here!

...

Many things happening between these two workflows ...

...

Prepopulate the species list from table above, with new fields (not a problem)

Pine, 20% Ground Cover, 20 ft

Birch, 20% Ground Cover, 20ft

Grass, 100% Ground Cover, NA

*Also add a species here!

JamesTedrick · Answer

Thanks, this helps clear things up a bit.  At this point, I don't think Survey123 would implement the form as you describe it- there isn't a way to calculate the values in a sequence of repeats based on a previous sequence.  There is a function in the XLSForm specification for this, but it's not yet implemented in Survey123.

That being said, is there a particular need for the fourth table?  It seems duplicative with the first table- is it a matter of them being collected in different situations?

Anonymous User · Answer

I don’t have a form structure that works with this workflow. I’m attaching a draft of the field data collection workflow I am trying to recreate and maybe you could suggest a format? Look at table 1 and table 4. Table 4 should prepopulate with species from table 1 plus be able to add new species. I have a form with two repeats in it. The 2nd repeat has a calculated field set equal to the repeat above for species name, but it doesn’t stay linked to the species name when you add a new species to the 2nd repeat. Thank you! Kim Homan Geospatial Program Manager Forest Service Alaska Regional Office p: 907-586-7957 f: 907-586-7555 kimhoman@fs.fed.us 709 W. 9th Street, Rm. 519D Juneau, AK 99801 www.fs.fed.us [cid:image007.png@01D1B02F.66F46820][cid:image008.png@01D1B02F.66F46820] Caring for the land and serving people image004.png KVM _ Data Collection Form 6_27_2017.doc image003.png image002.png image001.png

JamesTedrick · Answer

Hi Kim,

I'm not completely clear on the form structure you're describing.  Could you share the XLSForm you currently have?