topic Re: Input Data Validation involving Note in ArcGIS Survey123 Questions

Input Data Validation involving Note

SteveCole — Sat, 07 Mar 2026 00:01:59 GMT

Getting my feet wet(ter) with Survey 123 and not quite sure how to implement input validation for a specific section of my form.

The form is for field data collection along sampling transects. As you see below, the user specifies the overall length of the transect, and the length of the transect that would be within wetland. Once the wetland length of the transect is known, I use a calculation to subtract the specified wetland length value from the total length value to derive the wetland buffer length.

This all works but if I enter a wetland length greater than the total length of the transect, it will calculate a negative number as shown in my screenshot. I've added a constraint on the wetland length input but my understanding is that constraints are actually triggered when attempting to submit the survey rather than as real time data validation.

Any suggestions? FWIW, here's my XLSForm:

Re: Input Data Validation involving Note

Neal_t_k — Sat, 07 Mar 2026 01:16:05 GMT

Keep the constraint on it, that will ensure they fix it before submit.

You could try making a note field with a warning text. Make it relevant if Wetland Transect is greater than Transect Length. That way you are warning user right away and the constraint prevents submission.

Re: Input Data Validation involving Note

DougBrowning — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 19:42:45 GMT

I think this would be a great use case for my emojis trick see https://community.esri.com/t5/arcgis-survey123-documents/how-to-simulate-instant-data-checking-using-emojis/ta-p/916725

Re: Input Data Validation involving Note

SteveCole — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 17:10:23 GMT

I recall seeing this during some S123 searches. I've marked it as the solution because it looks like the best approach given the current options. Thanks..