How to embed a file within a Survey123 form to open externally

Question

Hello,

I'm developing a Survey123 form that's basic purpose it to attach a templated Excel form. I currently have the form set up with just a preface section and a file upload question where users can upload their completed Excel form. This is fine but requires us to load the Excel template onto each of our field workers devices before they use the form. I was wondering if it was possible to somehow embed the Excel sheet within the Survey123 form so that users are able to access/download it via the form instead of having to ensure it's loaded on their device beforehand.

I know you can sideload certain media to devices in Survey123 Connect like images within the forms so was wondering if it was possible to sideload other things.

Thanks in advance for any advice!

MargaretPartridge · Answer

This is super helpful, thank you for sharing!

ryanuthoff · Answer

Actually, this geonet post might be helpful for you. It sounds like they're trying to do what you are wanting to do.

Solved: Survey 123 hyperlink to local file - Esri Community

ryanuthoff · Answer

I'm not sure of a way to do exactly what you are wanting, but here is a potential alternative. If you can make your Excel file downloadable over the internet, what you can do is add a note with the URL of the Excel file. That way, when they open the S123 form, they can immediately click that URL and download it on their device.

It's not downloading it from the form itself, but maybe downloading it from the internet is the next best thing? The downside is that you'd either need to make the Excel form publicly accessible, or locked down and require credentials to access it.