No more clipboards, handheld GPS units, pencils, cameras, or notebooks! Epicollect5 is a free tool for creating robust, web-based data entry forms that can be deployed to mobile devices for GPS-enabled data collection. This page provides a few pointers for getting started. Keep in mind, there are several methods, tools, apps, and websites for digital field data collection, this is one way that works well for those on a budget.
Epicollect5 is a free and easy website and mobile app for iOS and Android that allows anyone to create custom online forms and collect offline responses in the field. Forms can be made available to the public through the easy to use Epicollect5 website. Forms can be downloaded to multiple mobile devices for offline data collection. Epicollect5 also allows you to view, organize and download your form submissions for use in spreadsheet and mapping applications. Developers can extend the functionality of the tool using the Epicollect5 API.
The Geospatial Training Program at CLEAR has created several Epicollect5 user guides for Epicollect users.
Build a Form - outlines the steps to building a custom data entry form on the Epicollect5 website.
Using the Epicollect5 App - a reference guide to the free iOS and Android app
Viewing & Sharing Your Data - step-by-step guidance on viewing and downloading data from Epicollect5 and creating a custom Google MyMap. View example of an embedded Google My Map created from Epicollect5 data.
Official Epicollect5 User Guide - everything you ever wanted to know about Epicollect. (downloadable version)
Epicollect5 User Forum - got a question? Ask & interact with other users (and the Epicollect developers).
Epicollect5 Developers Guide - Developers can extend the functionality of Epicollect5 using an API
Google My Maps - Google My Maps Overview
Google My Maps Help - Google Support User Guide
Track Kit Reference Guide - Looking for a good GPS tracking app to compliment your Epicollect data? Try Track Kit.
Catch an upcoming CLEAR workshop or join one of our Conservation Training Partnership (CTP) programs. Additional resources are also available on the CTP website.
