Data Collection
A general-purpose field-data collection form.
Overview
Many studies and projects need a consistent way to record data point by point, visit by visit. This general-purpose data collection form provides a flexible structure for field observations, measurements and longitudinal records. It standardises how each entry is captured, so multiple people record the same fields the same way, and gives you one growing dataset rather than a scatter of spreadsheets and notebooks that are hard to reconcile later.
Design the form around your variables: short text and dropdowns for identifiers, categories and locations, rating fields for scored observations, dates for timing, and long text for notes. A file upload field lets collectors attach photos, scans or sensor readouts to each record, which is invaluable for field and observational work. Every entry lands in your responses dashboard, where the Table view reads like a live dataset, the live count tracks collection progress and per-question summaries flag distributions and outliers early. Export to CSV whenever you need to clean, merge or analyse the accumulated records in your own tools.
Use restrained branding and a saved style so the same form looks consistent across a study or team, and lock fields with real-time collaboration so collectors cannot accidentally change the structure mid-study while still sharing the incoming data. Because the form works on any device through a shared link, collectors can record entries in the field as they go. Submissions are protected with TLS encryption and hashed IP addresses, server-side validation helps keep entries consistent, and your data is never used for training. For longitudinal work, add a participant or site identifier to each record so you can link repeated entries during analysis.
Perfect for
For field and observational work
Ecologists, fieldworkers, citizen-science projects and operations teams use this form to record data consistently away from the desk. A conservation team surveys sites on mobile devices, logging species counts, conditions and a photo for each observation. Entries build up in the dashboard as a single dataset, and the team exports to CSV at the end of each week to clean and analyse the records.
Why this template works
- Consistent entries: everyone records the same fields the same way, every time.
- Evidence attached: file upload captures photos, scans or readings with each record.
- Live dataset: the Table view and response count track collection progress in real time.
- Field-friendly: a shareable link works on any device, so you can record on the go.
How to use
- Open the Data Collection template and review its general-purpose fields.
- Set up your variables, identifiers and a file upload, then lock the structure.
- Share the link with collectors to use on any device in the field.
- Watch entries build in the Table view and export the dataset to CSV to analyse.
What this template includes
- Record or sample ID
- Date
- Location or site
- Category
- Measurement or count
- Observation notes
- Attachment (file upload)
FAQ
- Can collectors attach photos or files to each entry?
- Yes. Add a file upload field so each record can include photos, scans or sensor readouts alongside the measurements and notes, which is ideal for field and observational data.
- Can I use this for longitudinal data collection?
- Yes. Add a participant or site identifier and a date field to each record, so repeated entries can be linked together when you export the dataset to CSV for analysis.
- Can a team collect data without overwriting the form?
- Yes. Real-time collaboration with field locks lets you protect the form structure while collectors share the same form and contribute entries to one growing dataset.