To create flexible and customized Event Types for EarthRanger (e.g. for data collection, reports etc.), populate a Data Model using the easy-to-use spreadsheet template linked below as an alternative to building forms using schemas. 

Once complete, this file can be shared with the EarthRanger support team to get the new Events set up for use on your EarthRanger instance.

Notes about the Data Model Template

• Create a copy of the Data Model Template spreadsheet file (linked below) and complete it (using the instructions in this page) either:
  • Online (Recommended): By making a copy of the template file and editing it with your Google account, or
  • Offline: By downloading the file as .xlsx and completing it with spreadsheet editing software (e.g. with Microsoft Excel - requires Microsoft Office subscription, or other spreadsheet editing software such as LibreOffice [Free])
• Once your Data Model spreadsheet is ready, share the link (or share the .xlsx file) with EarthRanger.

Important: Before sharing a Google Sheets link, please ensure Anyone with the link and Editor is selected under Google Sheets Share settings so the team can work with you on the file).

 

• Your Data Model should be within a single spreadsheet file, with an individual tab / worksheet for each Event Type you'd like to have in your EarthRanger instance.
• Each worksheet therefore represents a distinct Event Type, with clearly defined fields and formatting.
• Create worksheets by duplicating the Blank Template tab as many times as needed.

Access the Data Model Template

Make a copy and customize the Data Model Template to your needs with one of the options below:

Click here to preview the Data Model Template spreadsheet (does not require Google Account)

Completing the Data Model Spreadsheet

Here’s a step-by-step guide to setting up your Data Model using the template to create Event Types:

1. Make a copy of the EarthRanger Data Model Template Spreadsheet
   1. Access the template with one of the options mentioned above.
2. Each Event Type should have its own sheet, for example "Carcass Report," "Shot Report," or “Wildlife Sighting.”
   1. Repeat the below steps for each of the Event Types you want to create.

3. Duplicate the Blank Template sheet
4. Enter the Event Name
   1. At the top left of the worksheet, enter the name of the Event Type you are creating. This label will help you identify each worksheet and will become the Event Type’s display name in EarthRanger.
5. Define the structure of the new Event Type
   1. In the green cells, outline the details of each field you'd like available for that Event Type. The available fields are as follows:
      1. Field Name (Required): Define the name for the field. This name will be displayed in EarthRanger when creating an event of this type. For example, “Species”.
      2. Field Type (Required): Choose the data type for the field from the list of available data types.
      3. Section Name (Required): Fields can be grouped into sections, with each section name unique and descriptive. 
         If you don't want a field to appear under a Section Name, enter double quotation marks to keep this blank: “”
      4. Section Column (Required): Specify the field’s layout position.
         1. Left Column
         2. Right Column
         3. Full Width
      5. Choices Order: If using a List of Choices, set the display order of options. You can choose to place options like "Other" or "Unknown" at the bottom if desired.
      6. Choices Override (Advanced): If the field requires a predefined set of options (like "Directions," "Counties," or "Conservancies"), refer to an existing list in the data model.
      7. List of Choices: Define the options for fields with a list of choices. This section will dictate the options that are presented in EarthRanger and can be selected by a user when creating an Event of this type.

6. Create additional sheets for each new Event Type
   1. Repeat step 4 onwards (duplicate the Blank Template to create a new sheet) for each additional Event Type required. 

Data Types Supported in EarthRanger Events

EarthRanger currently supports the following data types in Events:

• Free Text Field: The field will accept text or numeric data from the user
• Scrolling Text: Presents a larger text area for longer-form text input.
• Number: Input restricted to numeric data only, with a customizable minimum or maximum value (default minimum 0)
• List of Choices: Dropdown menu of selectable options
  • Default List of Choices field allows single choice selection
  • Other List of Choices formats available include multi-select dropdown and multi-select checkboxes.
• Date: Calendar / date-selection field
• Date/Time: Calendar / date-selection field with additional time selector.
• Checkboxes: Allows multiple items to be selected from a list of options.

Tips for Organizing and Expanding Your Spreadsheet

• This structured approach enables you to streamline Event Type creation while maintaining consistency across EarthRanger Event data.
• If you need extra rows to add more choices (beyond row 85), or extra fields (beyond column 50) insert additional green rows or columns respectively by selecting an existing row or column and right clicking and selecting “Insert column/row…”

What to do when your Data Model is complete

Once you have this information complete make sure to reach out to the Support Team (support@earthranger.com) to implement it either by sharing the Google Sheet link with EarthRanger (Important: Ensure Anyone with the link > Editor is activated under Google Sheets Share settings so the team can work with you on the file) or by sharing the .xlsx file