topic Re: HTML formatting not carrying over from Connect to Web in ArcGIS Survey123 Questions

HTML formatting not carrying over from Connect to Web

JFiaccoCOL — Fri, 18 Apr 2025 15:47:31 GMT

I recently created a survey in Survey123 Connect using HTML formatting. When I save the survey in Connect, the formatting looks correct, however after publishing to ArcGIS Online, the formatting disappears. I found this bug referencing version 3.9 (https://support.esri.com/en-us/bug/the-survey123-web-application-does-not-honor-html-tag-f-bug-000130873). I'm currently using version 3.22.49 and it doesn't seem to be fixed.

This is the HTML formatting I'm using in Connect:

Note: This survey is only intended for those who have received the postcard pictured below.

Please read the instructions before filling out the survey.

By EPA regulatory mandate, we need to document the materials of your water service line. If you received the postcard below stating your service line material is unknown, submit the survey below to avoid potholing your yard. You must submit a photo of the first 18" of your service line as it enters the building.

Here's what my survey looks like in Connect:

VS in Web:

Does anyone have a workaround for this?

Re: HTML formatting not carrying over from Connect to Web

ZacharySutherby — Fri, 18 Apr 2025 23:33:52 GMT

Hey @JFiaccoCOL,

Try:

Note: This survey is only intended for those who have received the postcard pictured below. Please read the instructions before filling out the survey. By EPA regulatory mandate, we need to document the materials of your water service line. If you received the postcard below stating your service line material is unknown, submit the survey below to avoid potholing your yard. You must submit a photo of the first 18" of your service line as it enters the building.

The web app can be a bit more strict about HTML syntax

Re: HTML formatting not carrying over from Connect to Web

JFiaccoCOL — Mon, 21 Apr 2025 16:05:05 GMT

Hi Zach,

I tried your suggestion and am getting the same result in the web version.

Connect:

Web:

Re: HTML formatting not carrying over from Connect to Web

ZacharySutherby — Mon, 21 Apr 2025 16:47:51 GMT

Hey @JFiaccoCOL,

What version of Survey123 Connect are you using? Can you try appending `?version=latest` to the end of your web app URL (ex. https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/<itemID>?version=latest )?

If using version=latest resolves the issue you can either change the surveys settings to "Always use the latest version", or upgrade your Connect to the latest 3.22 version and republish.

Re: HTML formatting not carrying over from Connect to Web

JFiaccoCOL — Mon, 21 Apr 2025 16:54:29 GMT

Hey @ZacharySutherby ,

I'm using 3.22.49 and have "Always use the latest version" selected in the survey settings. I also tried appending '?version=latest' to the end of the web app URL but nothing changes.

Thanks!

Re: HTML formatting not carrying over from Connect to Web

ZacharySutherby — Mon, 21 Apr 2025 17:00:49 GMT

@JFiaccoCOL,

What browser are you using when you see the behavior?

Re: HTML formatting not carrying over from Connect to Web

JFiaccoCOL — Mon, 21 Apr 2025 17:02:28 GMT

@ZacharySutherby

I'm seeing the same behavior in Chrome and Edge.

Thanks!

Re: HTML formatting not carrying over from Connect to Web

ZacharySutherby — Mon, 21 Apr 2025 20:15:27 GMT

Hey @JFiaccoCOL,

I'm not quite able to find the combination to reproduce the issue on my end, here is a sample XLSForm that I'm using for testing.

Re: HTML formatting not carrying over from Connect to Web

JFiaccoCOL — Mon, 21 Apr 2025 20:48:13 GMT

Hi @ZacharySutherby ,

Thanks for sharing the test form. I created and published a new survey using the form you provided. I received an XLS conversion warning since the test field had no label. I ignored the error, published, and it looks like it worked. I guess the HTML formatting is not honored, in the web version, if it's present in the label field rather than the hint field. Is this expected behavior?

Re: HTML formatting not carrying over from Connect to Web

ehahn_nifc — Tue, 29 Apr 2025 21:50:53 GMT

I'm having the same issue with in line (span style) formatting not showing up in web survey.

Re: HTML formatting not carrying over from Connect to Web

JFiaccoCOL — Wed, 30 Apr 2025 13:14:02 GMT

@ehahn_nifc,

Try moving the formatting to the hint field and leave the label field blank. The example that @ZacharySutherby provided has the formatting in the hint field. When I moved it in my survey, the formatting displayed as expected in the web version. I'm not sure if this is expected behavior or a bug, as formatting in the label field seems to work in Survey123 Connect.

Re: HTML formatting not carrying over from Connect to Web

StayMappy — Tue, 25 Nov 2025 20:33:44 GMT

I found that if you wrap the entire with and end the label with it works well. You can still add your text here anywhere in that label as long as you wrap it with the earlier syntax.

Here is an example bold text here is a new initiative

Re: HTML formatting not carrying over from Connect to Web

1stGreenFrequency — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 18:03:31 GMT

THANK YOU 😻