Latest Contributions by JodyZhengLiu

Overview Starting with ArcGIS Survey123 web app v3.25 (March 2026), the web app now fully supports the 'calculationMode' parameter defined in XLSForms. This update aims to align the web app’s calculation behavior with the field app, providing a consistent experience across the platform and preventing accidental data overwrites when editing existing records.   Core change: Shift in default calculation behavior Prior to version 3.25, the web app ignored the calculation mode parameter and effectively treated all calculations as "Always." The new version introduces a significant shift in default behavior: Version Default Description v3.24 and earlier Always Calculations update automatically whenever a referenced field changes, potentially overwriting previously submitted data without warning. v3.25 and later Automated (Auto) (Default) Calculations do not automatically run when editing existing records to protect data integrity. A "Calculate" icon appears if a change is detected, requiring a user click to update the value.   Supported calculation modes You can now explicitly control calculation behavior by setting the calculationMode parameter in the bind::esri:parameters column of your XLSForm. The following modes are supported: Always: Calculations are reactive and immediate. The field will automatically update whenever any referenced input changes, regardless of whether you are submitting a new record or editing an existing one. Automated (Auto): This is the default behavior. In Submit mode (new records): It functions like "Always," where calculation expressions are evaluated whenever any of the inputs in the calculation expression change. In Edit mode (existing records): It protects existing data. If a referenced input changes, the field will not overwrite the stored value automatically; instead, a button appears, allowing the user to manually trigger the update. Manual: Calculations are never triggered by input changes. The field remains static until the user explicitly clicks the "Calculate" button to evaluate the expression. WhenEmpty: The calculation logic only triggers if the field is currently null or empty. If the field already contains a value, the calculation is bypassed, preserving the existing data.   Solutions: Restoring legacy behavior For users—such as those managing ArcGIS Solutions—who wish to maintain the "Always Calculate" behavior without republishing existing surveys, the following options are available: 1. Updating the XLSForm (Recommended) For new projects or surveys that can be updated, you can preserve the legacy behavior by explicitly setting the mode in the XLSForm: Column: bind::esri:parameters Value: calculationMode=always 2. Using recalculate=all via URL To address the breaking change in v3.25, the recalculate URL parameter has been enhanced to act as a global override. Parameter: &recalculate=all Effect: Appending this to the survey URL forces all questions to use calculationMode=always. Availability: Now supported in both Submit (new records) and Edit modes. Benefit: Restores the v3.24 experience instantly without requiring a survey republish. ... View more