What is the Location field?
It is a basic field type that lets users capture the device’s GPS location and optionally look up an address from the coordinates. Once the field has a value, the location can be viewed on a map. A route option is also available, which is handy if the field is prepopulated with location data that differs from the device’s current location.
This feature is not available on Web Forms.
What is the Location field?
It is a basic field type that lets users capture the device’s GPS location and optionally look up an address from the coordinates. Once the field has a value, the location can be viewed on a map. A route option is also available that comes in handy if the field is prepopulated with location data that differs from the device’s current location.
What Location data is captured?
By default, the field captures latitude and longitude coordinates. If the field’s Fast Capture property is disabled, additional metadata like heading, altitude, and accuracy will also be captured.
If Address Lookup is enabled, a Find Address button displays. It will attempt a reverse geocode search for the address matching the given coordinates when pressed. Address information is accessible using formula functions.
Location field data output
By default, the Location field’s captured data displays as a map image with a GPS point pin in our built-in templates or your custom outputs. This clickable image launches a device’s default browser and map service.
If additional or specific data is needed, additional fields can use Location formula functions.
Adding Location fields to your form design
When designing a Data Entry Form, on the left under basic field types, either:
- Click the Location field to add it to the bottom of the page, and then move it to where you need it.
- Drag and drop the Location field to place it where you need it.
After adding, selecting the field will display its properties on the right for configuration.
Testing in-app
When viewing the Location field in the app, a “Get GPS Point” button displays, which, when pressed, will capture GPS data. Once data is captured or prepopulated, interactive location data text displays beneath the button, which launches a map with the GPS point showing as a pin. This map can be zoomed and panned with a route option on the top right of the screen.
If “Address Lookup” is enabled, a “Find Address” button will appear once the field captures or is prepopulated with a GPS point.
If “Selection from map” is enabled, a “Get Map Point” button will display beneath the “Get GPS Point” button. When pressed, this will launch a map where the user can capture a GPS point by holding down on a location.
Unique properties
Most field types have common properties, such as a data name, title text, dynamic value, visibility, etc. However, the Location field has a few unique properties that can be tailored to your needs.
| Property | Description |
|---|---|
| Desired accuracy | Controls the desired accuracy of GPS position capture. The higher the accuracy, the longer the device will take to acquire coordinates. |
| Fast capture | This option enables faster GPS capture but returns latitude & longitude values only. No other location metadata (e.g., heading, altitude, accuracy) is captured. NOTE: Accuracy may be reduced on devices with poor/slow GPS capabilities. |
| Enable address lookup | If enabled, the user will see a ‘Find Address’ button after capturing a location. Tapping this button will attempt a reverse geocode search for the address matching the given coordinates. Once found, the address information is stored along with the location coordinates in this field. Address information can be accessed via formula functions. (hyperlink) |
| Hide address information | By default, the app will display available address information in this field. However, this may not be desired in specific scenarios. e.g., if you are populating other form fields with address data via Dynamic Value formulae. |
| Enable selection from map | Allows location selection from a map in addition to the device’s GPS. Requires the app to have internet access. |
| Display map type | Specify the map style to display.
Note that hybrid and satellite options depend on the device’s operating system and may not be available to all users. If you wish to use your custom map tiles (e.g., from a GIS system), choose Custom Tile Source and specify a URL template. The URL must contain {z}, {x}, and {y} placeholders, representing the zoom level, X, and Y decimal coordinates to be passed to your tile source provider. Some examples: https://tile.openstreetmap.org/{z}/{x}/{y}.png https://[host]/arcgis/rest/serv/map/tile/{z}/{y}/{x} To use the global tile source URL from Integrations, leave the Custom Tile Source blank. |
| Overlay map with geo data | Add visualization layers from your GIS to provide context and information to your users. The layer data must be provided in GeoJSON format. If your layer data does not change often, paste all the GeoJSON file contents into the property. You can also enter an HTTPS URL to download your GeoJSON data at the time of viewing. (Requires the app user to have internet access) Alternatively, specify a formula to dynamically load the GeoJSON data or generate a download URL your scenario demands. For example, you could store/update your GeoJSON in a Data Source and then use our DSFIRST() formula function to retrieve the relevant layer data. |
Formula functions
Our Formula Cheat Sheet—13. Location provides a concise list of all Location field formula functions.
However, highlighting a few common uses, e.g., in the Dynamic Value property of another field, might provide additional insight.
Extracting latitude and longitude
Formula:
CONCAT(LAT({{locationField}} , , LON({{locationField}})
Result:
-8.45234 27.7623423
Extracting full address
Formula:
CONCAT(STREETNUM({{locationField}} , ‘, ‘ , STREET({{locationField}}) , ‘, ‘ , CITY({{locationField}}) , ‘, ‘ , COUNTY({{locationField}}) , ‘, ‘ , STATE({{locationField}}) , ‘, ‘ , POSTCODE({{locationField}}) , ‘, ‘ , COUNTRY({{locationField}}))
Result:
15, Fern, Hobart, , Tasmania, 7001, Australia
Calculating distance
Formula – kilometres or miles:
KMBETWEEN({{gpsVal1}} , {{gpsVal2}})
MIBETWEEN({{gpsVal1}} , {{gpsVal2}})
Result:
15.89
Is the geo-point within a polygon?
Formula:
INPOLYGON({{gpsVal}}, ‘-8.6782523 27.2918257|-8.6672229 28.7094422|-7.6447228 29.3849982’)
Result:
True/False
Tips & Tricks
Create a Google Maps link
Once a GPS point has been captured, the LAT() and LON() values can be concatenated into a Google Maps URL.
Example:
CONCAT(‘https://www.google.com.au/maps/@’ , LAT({{locationField}}) , ‘,’ , LON({{locationField}}) , ‘,18z?’)
18z = Zoom, you can change this as desired, higher number = greater zoom.
This formula can be used in the Dynamic Value of another field for in-app display or output, or as a passed parameter into a User Interaction like “Open link in browser“.
GPS capture on laptops/desktops
A laptop or desktop might not have the necessary GPS functionality built-in to capture GPS coordinates. Hence, the Location field may not work or provide accurate data.
GeoJSON format
Coordinates taken directly from our location field will be in the format “latitude longitude” – this is different to the coordinates used in GeoJSON syntax, which requires that your coordinates be in the format “longitude latitude”. If your custom map overlays are not showing because you captured coordinates directly from the location field for use in your GeoJSON, then check that you have the coordinates in the correct format for GeoJSON.