XLSForm is a standard for creating forms using Excel spreadsheets. It’s widely used in survey and data collection tools.
Key Concepts
- Excel-based form design: Create forms using familiar spreadsheet software
- Standardized structure: Uses specific worksheet names and column formats
- Interoperable: Works with tools like ODK, KoboToolbox, SurveyCTO
Basic Structure
Survey Worksheet
| type | name | label | hint | required | constraint |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| text | respondent_name | What is your name? | Enter full name | yes | |
| integer | age | What is your age? | Enter age in years | yes | . > 0 |
| select_one gender | gender | What is your gender? | yes | ||
| select_multiple languages | languages | Which languages do you speak? | Select all that apply | no |
Choices Worksheet
| list_name | name | label |
|---|---|---|
| gender | male | Male |
| gender | female | Female |
| gender | other | Other |
| gender | prefer_not_to_say | Prefer not to say |
| languages | english | English |
| languages | spanish | Spanish |
| languages | french | French |
| languages | german | German |
Settings Worksheet
| parameter | value |
|---|---|
| form_title | Demographic Survey |
| form_id | demo_survey |
| version | 1.0 |
| submission_url | https://example.com/submit |
Common Question Types
text: Free text responseinteger: Whole numbersdecimal: Decimal numbersselect_one: Single choice from listselect_multiple: Multiple choices from listdate: Date pickergeopoint: GPS coordinates
Benefits
- No coding required: Design forms using Excel
- Reusable: Same form works across multiple platforms
- Version control: Easy to track changes
- Collaboration: Multiple people can work on the same form
Tools that Support XLSForm
- ODK Collect
- KoboToolbox
- SurveyCTO
- Ona
- CommCare
- Many others…