Forms in Atlas collect data directly into your datasets. Create forms for field surveys, inspections, feedback collection, or any data entry workflow—without writing code.
Forms and Datasets
Forms connect to Atlas datasets to store responses. Each form field maps to a column in your dataset, and each submission creates a new row.
Supported Dataset Types
Forms work with both tabular and geographic datasets:
| Dataset Type | Description | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Tabular | Standard data without geometry | Surveys, registrations, feedback forms |
| Geographic | Data with point, line, or polygon geometry | Field inspections, location surveys, asset collection |
Geographic Forms
When connected to a geographic dataset, forms can:
- Capture the user's current location automatically
- Allow users to drop a pin on a map
- Collect data about existing features
- Create new features with attributes
Form States
Forms have three possible states that indicate their publishing status.
Draft
A form in Draft state has never been published. It's only visible to editors in the form builder.
- Displayed with a DRAFT badge
- Not accessible to the public
- Can be edited freely without affecting anyone
Published
A Published form is live and accessible via its share link. The status bar shows "Last published" with a timestamp.
- Accessible to anyone with the form link
- Responses are collected into the connected dataset
- Shows Last published just now or timestamp after publishing
Modified
A form is in Modified state when you've made changes after publishing. The published version remains live while your edits are saved as a draft.
- Published version continues collecting responses
- Your changes are saved but not yet live
- Use Publish to push changes live
- Use Discard changes to revert to the published version
Publishing Actions
Click the Publish button dropdown to access publishing options:
| Action | Description |
|---|---|
| Publish | Push current changes live (main button) |
| Discard changes | Revert to the last published version |
| Unpublish | Take the form offline (keeps the form, removes public access) |
| Delete | Permanently remove the form |
Form Toolbar
The form builder toolbar provides quick access to common actions:
| Icon | Action |
|---|---|
| ▷ | Preview the form as users will see it |
| 🔗 | Copy the shareable form link |
| Publish | Publish or access publishing options |
Best Practices
Before Publishing
- Test all fields and validation rules
- Verify the correct dataset is connected
- Check conditional field logic
Managing Published Forms
- Make edits in small batches and publish frequently
- Use "Discard changes" if you need to abandon edits
- Unpublish forms when data collection is complete rather than deleting (preserves the form for future use)
Dataset Considerations
- Ensure your dataset has all necessary fields before creating the form
- Required form fields should map to required dataset columns
- Geographic datasets need a geometry field for location capture