idea Constraint messages to show up on the fly in ArcGIS Survey123 Ideas

Constraint messages to show up on the fly

GeeFernando — Wed, 20 Nov 2019 00:01:54 GMT

Hi team,

I'd like to request an option for constraint messages to show up (instantly) when an user incorrectly fills in a field. Currently, users only see these messages when they go to submit the surveys.

To get around this I use 'notes' with relevant conditions. So when an user incorrectly fills in a field - that particular note is shown as a prompt for them to fix the issue then and there.

But, this is can be quite cumbersome when there are multiple constraints. It'll be greatly appreciated - if this could be looked into soon.

Thanks so much,
Gee

Re: Constraint messages to show up on the fly

leo_SwissGIS — Sun, 15 Mar 2020 22:34:03 GMT

Hi Gee,

Great idea. We posted a question directly related to that here some time ago:

https://community.esri.com/thread/244051-constraintvalidation-occurs-only-when-the-survey-is-submitted

This is something new, it appeared version 3.5 and it does not make sense to me, totally.

Constraints become almost useless if they come only when submitting, especially if the form is long.

Worst, it could impact the rest of the form if calculations are based on a value which does not meet the constraint and the field user is not aware that he made a mistake.

It seems to me that constraint is a fondamental, basic option for a survey, so this change is critical to us. Why not keeping it simple and intuitive as before?

Hope we'll have some feebacks on this issue.

Léo

Re: Constraint messages to show up on the fly

DougBrowning — Tue, 22 Jun 2021 09:00:38 GMT

As I posted in the other post. I really would like it by page.

Please vote it up here

https://community.esri.com/ideas/17633

thanks

Re: Constraint messages to show up on the fly

AndrewPadilla — Fri, 21 Aug 2020 22:47:27 GMT

I thought this was implemented previously. I agree with the above comments. This reduces the efficiency of moving from paper forms. Our surveys are several pages long and have dozens of constraints. Constraints work well (instantly) in the web app, but not in the field app or Connect. Thank you for your consideration.

Re: Constraint messages to show up on the fly

LiamHarrington-Missin — Fri, 09 Oct 2020 08:40:48 GMT

I have the same challenge and the same work around. I apply a constraint against a question to stop invalid data being submitted (e.g. A percentage question with values <0 or >100). I also have to add a relevant note question so that the user knows immediately rather than getting all the way to the end of the survey, clicking submit and then being bounced back to the constraint error. By that point it's too late and they'd complain. Would be great if I could be rid of the relevant note questions and constraint worked as data entered.

I'm not sure about the suggestion from Doug Browning about making this at the page level. Seems overly complicated to add that level of customisation. Surely if the constraint question was to appear on the fly, it wouldn't need to be at the page level. Users would fix the question as the constraint message appears.

Re: Constraint messages to show up on the fly

DougBrowning — Fri, 09 Oct 2020 14:23:35 GMT

Have you seen my post on using emojis? It is working pretty slick.

https://community.esri.com/docs/DOC-15392-how-to-simulate-instant-data-checking-using-emojis

Re: Constraint messages to show up on the fly

KevinG — Thu, 27 May 2021 17:22:45 GMT

Really need this idea to be implemented. I agree with others that the constraint is almost useless when only verified at the end of the survey. I need to constrain measurements as they’re entered. Once the user gets to the end of the survey it’s too late to go back and re-measure.

Re: Constraint messages to show up on the fly

WilliamRockwell1 — Thu, 08 Jul 2021 14:24:13 GMT

Really need this idea to be implemented. I agree with others that the constraint is almost useless when only verified at the end of the survey

Re: Constraint messages to show up on the fly

DavidCook2 — Thu, 08 Jul 2021 18:23:54 GMT

please add. i need constraints for a repeat in a very long survey. would reduce the amount of notes and simplify creation of the form as well as ensure data integrity

Re: Constraint messages to show up on the fly

PegGronemeyer1 — Wed, 11 Jan 2023 13:24:23 GMT

We still really need this! In working with the biologists are testing, and who will use, the survey, they need to see the messages without me having to constantly publish after every edit and them going to the survey in the web app.

But thanks to @DougBrowning for the emoji tip!

Re: Constraint messages to show up on the fly

BrittanyBurson — Thu, 13 Apr 2023 23:07:40 GMT

Absolutely necessary to alert at the time of data entry for these longer surveys.

Re: Constraint messages to show up on the fly

JoeBullard — Wed, 15 Nov 2023 10:48:18 GMT

Would also really like to see this implemented, for long forms it would be far more intuitive and user friendly

Re: Constraint messages to show up on the fly

EvanR — Wed, 06 Dec 2023 20:21:45 GMT

I pushed this up the chain and it has been submitted as an ESRI Enhancement Requests. All the comments in this thread helped make the case for it - the response to some of my other requests was that they would wait until they saw more community engagement. Hopefully this one will get some traction with the developers. Apparently this is already the default behavior in the web app, but not in the field or desktop apps. The desktop app is not explicitly mentioned in the enhancement request, but it seems like they keep it pretty much parallel to the field/mobile app.

"ENH-000163498 - Request to validate ArcGIS Survey123 questions with constraints when the question is populated instead of when the survey is submitted in ArcGIS Survey123 field app."

Re: Constraint messages to show up on the fly

PegGronemeyer1 — Thu, 07 Dec 2023 14:06:01 GMT

Thanks @EvanR for pushing this! Would be much easier to have the constraint msg work as many of us expected (show immediately) instead of using dozens of "note" questions. And as you suggested, would also be critical that both desktop and field app work the same.