ArcGIS Survey123: Web Designer vs Connect

When you're just starting with Survey123, you'll run into two tools for building surveys: the Survey123 Web Designer and Survey123 Connect. Both get the job done, but which one you choose depends on how complex your survey is and how much customization you need.

So let's dive in!

Survey123 Web Designer: Keep it Simple

The Survey123 Web Designer is all about ease. It’s a no-code, drag-and-drop interface designed for quick survey creation and it can get the job done fast.

Best for:

• Simple, no-frills surveys (think basic data collection or quick checks).
• Users who want to avoid diving into code and just need something intuitive and easy to set up.

What it's great for:

• Collecting basic info (like feedback surveys or logging photos).
• Quick photo uploads, GPS location tracking, and simple categorization (i.e., tagging photos as “vegetation” or “erosion”).

Limitations:

• Limited customization - you can't tweak field names or field types, they are automatically determined by the Web Designer.
• No external dataset integration, so it can’t link to preloaded lists or dynamic data.
• Limited use of calculations and logic

Example Use Case – Photo Log: If all you need is a simple photo log (take a pic, add a short description, submit the location), the Web Designer is perfect. No coding required, just quick and easy.

Survey123 Connect: Full Control & LOTS of Flexibility

Survey123 Connect is your go-to tool if you need more control and customization. It’s a desktop app that lets you design surveys using Excel, so you can work with specialized Survey123 formulas, logic, and establish more complex workflows.

Best for:

• Surveys that need complex logic, calculations, or dynamic expressions.
• Projects where you need strict control over how data is structured (think data integrity, custom constraints, and customized schema).
• Integrating external datasets, like large lists for cascading selects or preloaded site info.

What it's great for:

• Handling long or complex surveys (the kind Web Designer can’t quite manage).
• Preloading external data and automatically calculating values (like summing up vegetation cover or flagging erosion risks).

Limitations:

• Desktop-only - Unlike Web Designer, which you can use right from your browser, Survey123 Connect needs to be installed on a desktop. It’s not as easy to access on the go.
• Takes a bit to learn - Since you’re working with Excel (XLSForms), you’ll need to familiarize yourself with specific Survey123 formulas, logic, and basic coding. It’s not as plug-and-play as Web Designer.
• Not as intuitive - If you’re used to drag-and-drop interfaces, Survey123 Connect might feel a little overwhelming at first. But don’t stress, just dive in! Play with the templates and examples ESRI provides, and get comfy with how it works. You’ll figure it out in no time with lots of trial and error.

Example Use Case – Ecological Site Evaluation Survey: If you’re collecting detailed data on vegetation, soil, and site characteristics, Survey123 Connect is your tool. You can preload site data, use cascading selects, automate complex calculations, and include hidden magic in the background that enriches the data further.

With these considerations in mind, I’ve put together a quick decision tree that I use to help me decide whether to use Web Designer or Connect. I hope you find it helpful!

Next week we will start to get into some Survey123 Fun!

GIS You Later!

Pro Tip: Want to make your data more interactive? Link your Survey123 feature layer(s) to web apps like Experience Builder or Instant Apps to create cool visualizations for users (like a photo viewer app). Super easy, and is a level up for your data!