Survey123 Connect - Populate a field based on previous record for that field.

WFCAdmin

Hello,

I have built a survey using Survey123 Connect. At the start of the survey, field staff select the Data_Type “Reach Start” from a select one list.

When Reach Start is selected, they are prompted to enter two pieces of information: a select one field for Site and a text field for Crew.

For this example, let’s say the next data point they collect has a Data_Type “Live Fish.” When Live Fish is selected, they are prompted to fill in a different set of fields.

Is it possible for the Data_Type “Live Fish” to have the Site and Crew fields hidden and automatically assigned to match the previous entry? This would prevent field staff from having to re-enter the Site and Crew information for each new data point.

Thank you,

Aaron

DougBrowning

Assuming Site and Crew is outside the repeat then you can just ref those fields in the repeat with a simple calc of ${outside repeat field} and set appearance to hidden. Note you must name the fields inside the repeat different to prevent dups. I usually just do ${FieldNameRepeatName} (so something like ${CrewRepeatName}).

Hope that helps

Neal_t_k

How is your survey setup, it is not really clear from your description how you are collecting each new data point.? Is it set up as @DougBrowning implies, with a Main form with Site and Crew and then details in a repeat? or are you starting a new form for each data point?

But to expand what Doug said: I would start your form with Site Details with SiteID, SiteName, Crew etc. (Anything you need to collect only once) and then implement a repeat with the collection details, Data_Type, Weather, Flow etc., and geopoint all within the repeat. Then you can calculate any information from outside the repeat that you want associated with each data point inside the repeat.

WFCAdmin

I am not using repeats in my survey, though maybe I should. Would you be open to taking a look at the survey table?

Neal_t_k

Sure thing post it up.

WFCAdmin

Thank you!

Its attached

Neal_t_k

@WFCAdmin Some quick thoughts:

1: I rearranged slightly to incorporate a repeat. It is split into a Main Form (Parent Layer), for data that only needs to be collected once and a Repeat (Related Layer) for everything that needs info for each observation. Date could possibly also be moved to the Main form, depending on your needs, does each observation need a time or just the the site? I left the geopoint in the repeat, however you may consider adding another geopoint to the main form as well, that's up to you and your needs and what you want the data to look like on the backend.

I added a couple hidden fields in the report to pull in the site and crew into each report.

2: If you know all the possible crew members, I would consider a select multiple as opposed to txt entry. The only other pure text entry is your notes question. If need you could format the select multiple as an or_other list.

https://doc.arcgis.com/en/survey123/desktop/create-surveys/multiplechoice.htm#GUID-A5E6CA48-D539-4D7...

3: You may consider a grid layout to save space, however word of caution if a phone is being used as the collection device, a grid 2 maybe 3 wide is all I would recommend, otherwise questions get sqished.

https://community.esri.com/t5/arcgis-survey123-blog/survey123-tricks-of-the-trade-groups-grids-and/b...

4: You could possibly add some more grouping with descriptive headings so users know where they are at in the form.

5: Repeats can be confusing for new users, it may be beneficial to add note text at the bottom to click the "+" sign for addition observations.

6: Consider if you are going to let users return to the form once submitted to add additional observations:

https://doc.arcgis.com/en/survey123/desktop/create-surveys/prepareforediting.htm

That's my quick thoughts, hope it helps.