Data Submission in CommCare

This page provides a comprehensive guide to how data is collected, submitted, and managed within CommCare. It details the lifecycle of form submissions and how users can access and oversee submitted data efficiently.

Form Submissions

What is a Form?

A form in CommCare is a digital data collection tool used to capture information in the field. Forms are designed using CommCare's application builder and can include various question types, logic, and multimedia elements. Once a form is completed on a mobile device, it is submitted to the CommCare server for processing and storage.

How Are Forms Submitted?

• Mobile Submission:

  • Online Submission: When a device is connected to the internet, the form is submitted directly to CommCareHQ.

  • Offline Submission: If the device is offline, the form is stored locally and automatically synced when an internet connection is available.

  • Security: All submissions are encrypted during transmission to ensure data integrity and confidentiality.

• Manual Submission:

  • If automatic submission fails, mobile workers can manually retry submissions from the device by clicking on “Sync with Server“ button on their home screen.

  • Forms are stored on the device until they are successfully submitted.

• Web Apps

  • Mobile workers can log into Web Apps on a computer just like they would log into a CommCare mobile application. Web Users can also use Web Apps, but data is treated differently for a web user.

• API Submissions:

  • External systems can submit form data programmatically via CommCare’s APIs for integration with other platforms.

Accessing and Managing Submitted Forms

Submitted forms can be retrieved and managed through different methods:

Reports

• Forms appear in multiple reports, including the Submit History Report, which tracks submission details.

Case Management

• Forms linked to cases can be accessed directly within individual case records for review and management.

Rate Limiting

CommCare employs rate limiting to ensure fair usage and maintain system stability. If you encounter issues due to submission limits, refer to the Rate Limiting Documentation for troubleshooting and best practices.

For additional details, consult the CommCare Data Management Documentation or contact support for further assistance.