Tweaking Collector - first timer

[AlexBullen1]

I have someone doing a tree inventory, and they are wondering about some ways to eliminate keystrokes, since they will be entering thousands of points using Collector on an iPad.

1. Is there a way to set up Collector to accept multiple coded values in a given field? They'd like to have check boxes instead of a single choice for "Tree Condition".
2. Is there some way to eliminate having to press "Done" after each point?
3. And as they are entering points, is there any kind of "Input Last" or Auto-fill function that will enter the previous points' data into the new point? They are quite eager to have this be a possibility (think stands of similar trees).

Thanks in advance, Alex

[BrianBaldwin · Accepted solution]

1. No

2. No

3. Yes, go to the settings and change the collection type to 'Continuous' this will then give you the option to collect a feature with the same details as the last one collected.

[AlexBullen1]

Continuous collection has saved us a ton of time, thanks a lot!

4. Our AOI has a grid laid over it. Each section of the grid has a name, and the point feature class we're putting data into has a field for the grid name. Right now we are manually entering in the grid name as we collect points. Is there a way to auto-populate the grid name field of the point feature based on the grid section the point is in?

To explain further, say our person places a point in grid section 1B; can Collector automatically put 1B in the grid name field for that point?

[BrianBaldwin]

Alex.  Great question.  The way that you can do this is using related tables with Collector. 

Here is a blog post that mentions how to set it up: Related Tables – Exploring New Ways to use Collector for ArcGIS | ArcGIS Blog

Basically, the way it works, is that you could have users click on the grid, and then create a new point.  If you establish a relationship between the grid and the points, the points will absorb the ID of the grid.  So, no need to manually enter in the grid name. 

[ChristopherVandrey1]

Hi Alex-

"Is there a way to set up Collector to accept multiple coded values in a given field? They'd like to have check boxes instead of a single choice for "Tree Condition".

Have you tried setting up a drop down list that users can tap once for the drop down and once more for the selection?  We're using Collector for survey monument inventory and the drop down has been a major time saver.

"And as they are entering points, is there any kind of "Input Last" or Auto-fill function that will enter the previous points' data into the new point? They are quite eager to have this be a possibility (think stands of similar trees)."

We've discovered "copying" an existing point that we've collected and using it "at my location" if it's identical or similar. All of the data from the copied point is already filled out and can be edited if there is a minor change you'd like to make.  HUGE time saver.

Hope it helps!

-Chris

[AlexBullen1]

Chris did you use domains or subtypes to set up your drop down list? How many options are your users able to select from the list?

[ChristopherVandrey1]

Alex-we used domains to set up the drop down list.  We currently have five items on the list.  Four of which are specific plus "other" to describe a monument that doesn't fit the items on the drop down.  If "other" is chosen, users are asked to fill out a free text field to describe "other".  We've used this format for several months now and so far it has served its purpose well.

Edit: Wow, those images are huge...I'll scale them down in future posts!

[GISSupport3]

A workaround for 2. is to take the map offline and sync when ready.