Delta’s data collection form design functionality includes a versatile skip logic element.
Data collection forms in Delta can contain conditions which can be added to fields based on their unique identifiers. Conditions are commonly used to show/hide fields based on the data entered in another field. This is also referred to as skip logic. For example, a field worker might ask a question of only women when performing a survey.
In the example shown below, we’ll add conditions to two number fields which will make only one appear based on the data entered in a list field. The syntax utilizes the unique key identifiers for the fields, and is straightforward: [identifier]=’value of field’. If the syntax is incorrect, the fields will not appear at all in the form.
Let’s set up a List field with the label Sex, and the choices ‘Male’ and ‘Female’.
Let’s also set up two number fields as follows:
We’ll add a condition to each, to make its display on the form contingent on the data entered in the first field.
To enter conditions into fields, follow these steps:
- Note the key identifier of the field whose data will control the display of the other two. The identifier for your field will be different than the screenshots used in this example.
- Click the Edit icon of the Number of Children field to open its configuration popup window.
- In the Condition field, enter the condition using this syntax: [identifier]=’value’. The identifier of the Sex field must be inside square brackets, and the selected value of the Sex field must be between single quotes.
- Click the checkmark in the popup window’s title bar to save your work.
- Click the Edit icon of the Weekly Trips field to open its configuration popup window.
- In the Condition field, enter the condition as follows:
- Click the checkmark to save your work.
- Click OK at top right to save your form.
To see how this works, we’ll need to look at the form in the Data Collection screen. Click the name of your form to open it. Once a form is saved, all the functions in the Data Collection module become available for that form.
Select the Collect Data tab to bring it to the front. The Data Collection Mode menu will appear on the screen.
Select Display Data Collection Screen from the menu. The form will open in manual data collection mode. The form layout is responsive, meaning that it will size itself to the current device display, in this case a laptop.
Note that the first value for the Sex field is selected by default, and that the Weekly Trips field does not appear on the form.
Select ‘Female’ from the Sex field pick list, and note that the Number of Children field disappears and is replaced by the Weekly Trips field.
Click the X at top right of the screen to close the data entry screen without saving any changes. The X next to the form name at center top closes the form and returns you to the forms list landing page of the Data Collection module.