format or just checking for errors we recommend doing this process online using XLSform.

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1 ODK ACF E TOOLKIT ACF E FORMS HOW TO CONVERT A.XLS FILE INTO.XML OFFLINE The following guidelines are intended for converting a modified or newly created forms in excel to.xml format or just checking for errors we recommend doing this process online using XLSform. The following guidelines are intended for converting a modified or newly created forms in excel to.xml format or just checking for errors we recommend doing this process online using XLSform. Because the XLSform syntax requires a very specific set of instructions, it is quite easy to make errors in the Excel file. Let s say we misspelled the image keyword and wrote images instead. When converting an excel file to a.xml form with errors, the system will show an error message that will give you an idea of what the error was. In this case XLSform is telling us it does not recognize images as a valid question type. The main advantage of doing this process offline is that we can convert or author surveys in excel and make the pertinent changes. The application will give us the exact location of the error, making easier to go back to the excel (.xls) document and correct the mistakes it allows to convert forms online GETTING XLS FORM.ZIP 1. You have to options: a) Locate the xlsform.zip its provided with this ToolKit under annexes/programs folder b) Go to ICTD/xlsform.exe/blob/master/README.md,once you are on the webpage press in the link to download it.

2 EXTRACTING XLS FORM.ZIP 2. Once you have downloaded the.zip file, proceed to extract it in the folder you select. CORRECTING CRITICAL ERRORS 1. Go to the folder you had extracted the content of the compressed.zip 2. This is how the files located in the XlSform folder will look on your computer screen.

3 3. To convert a form copy the ones you want to convert on this folder and then drag them over the xlsform application 4. If there is an error a command dialog box will appear with a message display showing the first error it has detected, and it won t convert the file until you have it fixed. 5. Press enter to close the dialog box and proceed to fix it. The process of converting forms and correcting errors is called debugging. Let s debug our form and change images for image in the type column for question A.1.3. (Hint: The Find feature in the Edit menu of Excel is often helpful here). In this example, we have forgotten to add a question a type, leaving the type cell blank.

4 CORRECTING MINOR ERRORS 1. Go to the folder you had extracted the content of the compressed.zip 2. This is how the files located in the XlSform folder will look on your computer screen. 3. To convert a form copy the ones you want to convert on this folder and then drag them over the xlsform application

5 4. The command box may appear with a list of not critical issues (in this case the programs would convert the file even). In this example, we haven t given a group a label it won t appear on the device s screen but otherwise the form will work perfectly}). 5. Press enter to close it.

6 DOWNLOAD THE FORM 1. After correcting all the critical warnings the dos dialog box that will appear looks like this. 2. Press enter to close it. 3. Go to output folder located in xlmform folder It is good practice to convert your form (.xls file) to XLSform on regular intervals and save different versions as you keep testing. XLSform will show only an error message for the first problem it finds with a description of where the error is located. The fewer the changes since your last upload; the easier it is to find and solve the error XLSform will highlight. You should get in the habit of testing your surveys, identifying, and fixing early on. Sometimes, even if your form successfully converts in XLSform, it may not behave exactly as you intended on the Android device ODK Collect application. Therefore, although less frequently, it is also a good idea to test your form as a web form as well as directly on an Android device. It is also an option to use an emulator to test your form and even submit filled forms and check how the server and ODK Briefcase export your data.