Visual template editor (beta version)
On this page you will find instructions on how to use a new, visual editor for creating a Template (data entry form) for data collections.
We are currently testing the beta version of a new template editor, which allows you to create questions and layout them directly on the data collection form.
You can test the alpha version only for newly created data collections. In the ‘New data collection’ dialog, please use the Enable Visual Template Editor (Alpha) toggle.
Follow these steps to create questions and place them on the data entry form:
Access the editor via a new button in the top right corner of the data collection settings page.
The editor will open in full screen size. You can either start adding questions to the default section or create more sections. You can also toggle between a ‘Simple mode’ and ‘Advanced mode’. The simple mode will show you only the minimum set of properties to create a question, whereas the advanced mode offers you more possibilities for configuring a question.
Let us first rename the default 'Details' tab, Click on the Edit icon of the tab in the header and a new dialog will open. Enter an appropriate name and Apply.
You can add questions by either clicking on the four ‘quick access’ question buttons or by clicking New and selecting a question type from the list.
Next, add your question to the Question title field, use the toggles to any relevant configuration and Apply.
You can now move the question by dragging it by the icon in the top left corner and dropping it to a suitable place on the form. You can also resize the question box by the small hook in the lower right corner of the question box.
Repeat the steps for adding as many questions and sections as needed. Note that you can duplicate questions easily by selecting a question (click on it) and using the ‘duplicate’ feature. The new question will be added right below the original one.
Also, you can use the Preview mode (button in the right lower corner) to see how the form will look like at any time during the process. The preview does not save any of your changes.
When you delete questions from the editor, you can still access them via the Archive button. In the archive, which opens to the right side of the screen, you can still restore an already deleted question. You also have the option to permanently delete the questions, but this is not a required action.
Â
When you are done, click Save. You are redirected to the data collections Setttings screen.