# \[ODK Community\] Trying to recover seemingly lost data - ODK Collect 1.3 (1030)

**URL:** <https://forum.getodk.org/t/odk-community-trying-to-recover-seemingly-lost-data-odk-collect-1-3-1030/2290>\
**Category:** Support\
**Created:** [June 11, 2013, 5:12pm UTC](https://forum.getodk.org/t/odk-community-trying-to-recover-seemingly-lost-data-odk-collect-1-3-1030/2290 "2013-06-11T17:12:52Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Mitch\_S](https://getodk.b-cdn.net/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/m/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Mitch\_S](https://forum.getodk.org/u/Mitch_S)\
**Post date:** [June 11, 2013, 5:12pm UTC](https://forum.getodk.org/t/odk-community-trying-to-recover-seemingly-lost-data-odk-collect-1-3-1030/2290/1 "2013-06-11T17:12:52Z")

</div>

Generally speaking, if the user just re-launches ODK Collect and re-opens  
the form that they were filling out, ODK Collect will open the savepoint  
file it made for that form. Generally with all the values preserved from  
the preceding swipe.

> **···**
>
> On Mon, Jun 10, 2013 at 9:47 PM, wrote:
> 
> > Hello,
> > 
> > I deployed 3 tablets for a survey. One operator encountered problems  
> > (unfortunately, I cannot determine exactly what problems occurred) but she  
> > lost access to the form. Prior to that she was able to enter data but did  
> > not save the form during the whole time before not being able to access the  
> > form. The remaining folders and files are as follows:
> > 
> > forms  
> > TreeMeasurementEng\_Repeat3.xml  
> > instances  
> > TreeMeasurementEng\_Repeat3\_2013-06-08\_10-00-16  
> > \*.jpg files (multiple)  
> > - there is no xml file in this folder  
> > metadata  
> > forms.db  
> > forms.db-journal  
> > instances.db  
> > instances.db-journal
> > 
> > Can data be recovered?
> > 
> > The second data collector's tablet ran out of battery in the middle of  
> > data collection. She also did not save the form during the whole time. The  
> > folders and files are as follows:
> > 
> > forms  
> > TreeMeasurementEng\_Repeat3.xml  
> > instances  
> > TreeMeasurementEng\_Repeat3\_2013-06-08\_09-57-43  
> > \*.jpg files (multiple)  
> > - TreeMeasurementEng\_Repeat3\_2013-06-08\_09-57-43.xml  
> > TreeMeasurementEng\_Repeat3\_2013-06-08\_14-26-35  
> > \*.jpg file (only one got saved although she took multiple photos)  
> > TreeMeasurementEng\_Repeat3\_2013-06-08\_14-26-35 (only 1 item  
> > although she collected multiple readings)
> > 
> > metadata  
> > forms.db  
> > forms.db-journal  
> > instances.db  
> > instances.db-journal
> > 
> > Is there still a way to extract the collected data?
> > 
> > Thanks very much, and I apologize for a long writeup.
> > 
> > Cheers,  
> > Regie
> > 
> > ## --
> > 
> > Post: [opendatakit@googlegroups.com](mailto:opendatakit@googlegroups.com)  
> > Unsubscribe: [opendatakit+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com](mailto:opendatakit+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com)  
> > Options: [http://groups.google.com/group/opendatakit?hl=en](http://groups.google.com/group/opendatakit?hl=en)
> > 
> > * * *
> > 
> > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups  
> > "ODK Community" group.  
> > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an  
> > email to [opendatakit+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com](mailto:opendatakit+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com).  
> > For more options, visit [https://groups.google.com/groups/opt\_out](https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out).
> 
> --  
> Mitch Sundt  
> Software Engineer  
> University of Washington  
> [mitchellsundt@gmail.com](mailto:mitchellsundt@gmail.com)

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Mitch\_S](https://getodk.b-cdn.net/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/m/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Mitch\_S](https://forum.getodk.org/u/Mitch_S)\
**Post date:** [June 12, 2013, 5:44pm UTC](https://forum.getodk.org/t/odk-community-trying-to-recover-seemingly-lost-data-odk-collect-1-3-1030/2290/2 "2013-06-12T17:44:25Z")

</div>

Alas, No.

> **···**
>
> On Wed, Jun 12, 2013 at 12:05 AM, wrote:
> 
> > I was hoping that it would do that. However, it didn't do it in this 2  
> > cases. I also do not see the xml.save file mentioned in the following  
> > thread  
> > [https://groups.google.com/forum/?fromgroups#!searchin/opendatakit/xml.save/opendatakit/JkNl8tdUwNw/wVzXafdp22IJ](https://groups.google.com/forum/?fromgroups#!searchin/opendatakit/xml.save/opendatakit/JkNl8tdUwNw/wVzXafdp22IJ)
> > 
> > Can anything be recovered from the Metadata folder?
> > 
> > Regie
> > 
> > On Tuesday, June 11, 2013 1:12:52 PM UTC-4, Mitch Sundt wrote:
> > 
> > > Generally speaking, if the user just re-launches ODK Collect and  
> > > re-opens the form that they were filling out, ODK Collect will open the  
> > > savepoint file it made for that form. Generally with all the values  
> > > preserved from the preceding swipe.
> > > 
> > > On Mon, Jun 10, 2013 at 9:47 PM, [regie...@gmail.com](mailto:regie...@gmail.com) wrote:
> > > 
> > > Hello,
> > > 
> > > I deployed 3 tablets for a survey. One operator encountered problems  
> > > (unfortunately, I cannot determine exactly what problems occurred) but she  
> > > lost access to the form. Prior to that she was able to enter data but did  
> > > not save the form during the whole time before not being able to access the  
> > > form. The remaining folders and files are as follows:
> > > 
> > > forms
> > > 
> > > TreeMeasurementEng\_Repeat3.xml
> > > 
> > > instances
> > > 
> > > TreeMeasurementEng\_Repeat3\_2013-06-08\_10-00-16
> > > 
> > > ```
> > > *.jpg files (multiple)
> > > 
> > > - there is no xml file in this folder
> > > 
> > > ```
> > > 
> > > metadata
> > > 
> > > forms.db
> > > 
> > > forms.db-journal
> > > 
> > > instances.db
> > > 
> > > instances.db-journal
> > > 
> > > Can data be recovered?
> > > 
> > > The second data collector's tablet ran out of battery in the middle of  
> > > data collection. She also did not save the form during the whole time. The  
> > > folders and files are as follows:
> > > 
> > > forms
> > > 
> > > TreeMeasurementEng\_Repeat3.xml
> > > 
> > > instances
> > > 
> > > TreeMeasurementEng\_Repeat3\_2013-06-08\_09-57-43
> > > 
> > > ```
> > > *.jpg files (multiple)
> > > 
> > > - TreeMeasurementEng_Repeat3_2013-06-08_09-57-43.xml
> > > 
> > > ```
> > > 
> > > TreeMeasurementEng\_Repeat3\_2013-06-08\_14-26-35
> > > 
> > > ```
> > > *.jpg file (only one got saved although she took multiple photos)
> > > 
> > > TreeMeasurementEng_Repeat3_2013-06-08_14-26-35 (only 1 item
> > > 
> > > ```
> > 
> > although she collected multiple readings)
> > 
> > > metadata
> > > 
> > > forms.db
> > > 
> > > forms.db-journal
> > > 
> > > instances.db
> > > 
> > > instances.db-journal
> > > 
> > > Is there still a way to extract the collected data?
> > > 
> > > Thanks very much, and I apologize for a long writeup.
> > > 
> > > Cheers,
> > > 
> > > Regie
> > > 
> > > --
> > > 
> > > --
> > > 
> > > Post: [opend...@googlegroups.com](mailto:opend...@googlegroups.com)
> > > 
> > > Unsubscribe: [opendatakit...@googlegroups.com](mailto:opendatakit...@googlegroups.com)
> > > 
> > > Options: [http://groups.google.com/group/opendatakit?hl=en](http://groups.google.com/group/opendatakit?hl=en)
> > > 
> > > * * *
> > > 
> > > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google  
> > > Groups "ODK Community" group.
> > > 
> > > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send  
> > > an email to [opendatakit...@googlegroups.com](mailto:opendatakit...@googlegroups.com).
> > > 
> > > For more options, visit [https://groups.google.com/groups/opt\_out](https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out).
> > > 
> > > --  
> > > Mitch Sundt  
> > > Software Engineer  
> > > University of Washington  
> > > [mitche...@gmail.com](mailto:mitche...@gmail.com)
> > 
> > ## --
> > 
> > Post: [opendatakit@googlegroups.com](mailto:opendatakit@googlegroups.com)  
> > Unsubscribe: [opendatakit+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com](mailto:opendatakit+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com)  
> > Options: [http://groups.google.com/group/opendatakit?hl=en](http://groups.google.com/group/opendatakit?hl=en)
> > 
> > * * *
> > 
> > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups  
> > "ODK Community" group.  
> > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an  
> > email to [opendatakit+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com](mailto:opendatakit+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com).  
> > For more options, visit [https://groups.google.com/groups/opt\_out](https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out).
> 
> --  
> Mitch Sundt  
> Software Engineer  
> University of Washington  
> [mitchellsundt@gmail.com](mailto:mitchellsundt@gmail.com)

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Regie\_Alam](https://getodk.b-cdn.net/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/r/7cd45c/32.png) [@Regie\_Alam](https://forum.getodk.org/u/Regie_Alam)\
**Post date:** [June 30, 2013, 5:59am UTC](https://forum.getodk.org/t/odk-community-trying-to-recover-seemingly-lost-data-odk-collect-1-3-1030/2290/3 "2013-06-30T05:59:03Z")

</div>

More problems.

I went out to do another data collection. Added in some information in a comment field (text). Used Briefcase to export data out to a spreadsheet. However, the information on the comment field all seemed to be lost.

Anyway to recover this? Any ideas why this things are happening?

Thanks,  
Regie

> **···**
>
> On Wednesday, June 12, 2013 1:44:25 PM UTC-4, Mitch Sundt wrote: \> Alas, No. \> \> \> \> \> On Wed, Jun 12, 2013 at 12:05 AM, wrote: \> \> I was hoping that it would do that. However, it didn't do it in this 2 cases. I also do not see the xml.save file mentioned in the following thread https://groups.google.com/forum/?fromgroups#!searchin/opendatakit/xml.save/opendatakit/JkNl8tdUwNw/wVzXafdp22IJ \> \> \> \> \> Can anything be recovered from the Metadata folder? \> \> \> \> Regie \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> On Tuesday, June 11, 2013 1:12:52 PM UTC-4, Mitch Sundt wrote: \> \> \> Generally speaking, if the user just re-launches ODK Collect and re-opens the form that they were filling out, ODK Collect will open the savepoint file it made for that form. Generally with all the values preserved from the preceding swipe. \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> On Mon, Jun 10, 2013 at 9:47 PM, wrote: \> \> \> \> \> \> Hello, \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> I deployed 3 tablets for a survey. One operator encountered problems (unfortunately, I cannot determine exactly what problems occurred) but she lost access to the form. Prior to that she was able to enter data but did not save the form during the whole time before not being able to access the form. The remaining folders and files are as follows: \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> forms \> \> \> \> \> \> TreeMeasurementEng\_Repeat3.xml \> \> \> \> \> \> instances \> \> \> \> \> \> TreeMeasurementEng\_Repeat3\_2013-06-08\_10-00-16 \> \> \> \> \> \> \*.jpg files (multiple) \> \> \> \> \> \> - there is no xml file in this folder \> \> \> \> \> \> metadata \> \> \> \> \> \> forms.db \> \> \> \> \> \> forms.db-journal \> \> \> \> \> \> instances.db \> \> \> \> \> \> instances.db-journal \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> Can data be recovered? \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> The second data collector's tablet ran out of battery in the middle of data collection. She also did not save the form during the whole time. The folders and files are as follows: \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> forms \> \> \> \> \> \> TreeMeasurementEng\_Repeat3.xml \> \> \> \> \> \> instances \> \> \> \> \> \> TreeMeasurementEng\_Repeat3\_2013-06-08\_09-57-43 \> \> \> \> \> \> \*.jpg files (multiple) \> \> \> \> \> \> - TreeMeasurementEng\_Repeat3\_2013-06-08\_09-57-43.xml \> \> \> \> \> \> TreeMeasurementEng\_Repeat3\_2013-06-08\_14-26-35 \> \> \> \> \> \> \*.jpg file (only one got saved although she took multiple photos) \> \> \> \> \> \> TreeMeasurementEng\_Repeat3\_2013-06-08\_14-26-35 (only 1 item although she collected multiple readings) \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> metadata \> \> \> \> \> \> forms.db \> \> \> \> \> \> forms.db-journal \> \> \> \> \> \> instances.db \> \> \> \> \> \> instances.db-journal \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> Is there still a way to extract the collected data? \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> Thanks very much, and I apologize for a long writeup. \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> Cheers, \> \> \> \> \> \> Regie \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> -- \> \> \> \> \> \> -- \> \> \> \> \> \> Post: opend...@googlegroups.com \> \> \> \> \> \> Unsubscribe: opendatakit...@googlegroups.com \> \> \> \> \> \> \> Options: http://groups.google.com/group/opendatakit?hl=en \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> --- \> \> \> \> \> \> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "ODK Community" group. \> \> \> \> \> \> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to opendatakit...@googlegroups.com. \> \> \> \> \> \> \> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt\_out. \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> -- \> \> \> Mitch Sundt \> \> \> Software Engineer \> \> \> University of Washington \> \> \> mitche...@gmail.com \> \> \> \> \> \> -- \> \> -- \> \> Post: opend...@googlegroups.com \> \> Unsubscribe: opendatakit...@googlegroups.com \> \> Options: http://groups.google.com/group/opendatakit?hl=en \> \> \> \> --- \> \> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "ODK Community" group. \> \> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to opendatakit...@googlegroups.com. \> \> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt\_out. \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> \> -- \> Mitch Sundt \> Software Engineer \> University of Washington \> mitche...@gmail.com

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![yanokwa](https://getodk.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.getodk.org/yanokwa/32/1695_2.png) [@yanokwa](https://forum.getodk.org/u/yanokwa)\
**Post date:** [June 30, 2013, 2:27pm UTC](https://forum.getodk.org/t/odk-community-trying-to-recover-seemingly-lost-data-odk-collect-1-3-1030/2290/4 "2013-06-30T14:27:34Z")

</div>

Regie,

Sorry you are having problems. Unless you explicitly removed deleted  
the instances, the data should still be on the SD card of your  
devices. Take a look to see if the comments are in those XML files.

Did you send the data from the devices to Aggregate and then pull it  
to Briefcase or did you use Briefcase to pull the data directly from  
Collect?

Yaw

> **···**
>
> -- Need ODK help? Go to http://nafundi.com for custom features, form design, implementation support, and user training for ODK.
> 
> On Sat, Jun 29, 2013 at 10:59 PM, [regie.alam@gmail.com](mailto:regie.alam@gmail.com) wrote:
> 
> > More problems.
> > 
> > I went out to do another data collection. Added in some information in a comment field (text). Used Briefcase to export data out to a spreadsheet. However, the information on the comment field all seemed to be lost.
> > 
> > Anyway to recover this? Any ideas why this things are happening?
> > 
> > Thanks,  
> > Regie
> > 
> > On Wednesday, June 12, 2013 1:44:25 PM UTC-4, Mitch Sundt wrote:
> > 
> > > Alas, No.
> > > 
> > > On Wed, Jun 12, 2013 at 12:05 AM, [regie...@gmail.com](mailto:regie...@gmail.com) wrote:
> > > 
> > > I was hoping that it would do that. However, it didn't do it in this 2 cases. I also do not see the xml.save file mentioned in the following thread [https://groups.google.com/forum/?fromgroups#!searchin/opendatakit/xml.save/opendatakit/JkNl8tdUwNw/wVzXafdp22IJ](https://groups.google.com/forum/?fromgroups#!searchin/opendatakit/xml.save/opendatakit/JkNl8tdUwNw/wVzXafdp22IJ)
> > > 
> > > Can anything be recovered from the Metadata folder?
> > > 
> > > Regie
> > > 
> > > On Tuesday, June 11, 2013 1:12:52 PM UTC-4, Mitch Sundt wrote:
> > > 
> > > > Generally speaking, if the user just re-launches ODK Collect and re-opens the form that they were filling out, ODK Collect will open the savepoint file it made for that form. Generally with all the values preserved from the preceding swipe.
> > > 
> > > > 
> > > 
> > > > 
> > > 
> > > > 
> > > 
> > > > 
> > > 
> > > > 
> > > 
> > > > 
> > > 
> > > > On Mon, Jun 10, 2013 at 9:47 PM, [regie...@gmail.com](mailto:regie...@gmail.com) wrote:
> > > 
> > > > 
> > > 
> > > > Hello,
> > > 
> > > > 
> > > 
> > > > 
> > > 
> > > > 
> > > 
> > > > I deployed 3 tablets for a survey. One operator encountered problems (unfortunately, I cannot determine exactly what problems occurred) but she lost access to the form. Prior to that she was able to enter data but did not save the form during the whole time before not being able to access the form. The remaining folders and files are as follows:
> > > 
> > > > 
> > > 
> > > > 
> > > 
> > > > 
> > > 
> > > > 
> > > 
> > > > forms
> > > 
> > > > 
> > > 
> > > > TreeMeasurementEng\_Repeat3.xml
> > > 
> > > > 
> > > 
> > > > instances
> > > 
> > > > 
> > > 
> > > > TreeMeasurementEng\_Repeat3\_2013-06-08\_10-00-16
> > > 
> > > > 
> > > 
> > > > ```
> > > > *.jpg files (multiple)
> > > > 
> > > > ```
> > > 
> > > > 
> > > 
> > > > ```
> > > > - there is no xml file in this folder
> > > > 
> > > > ```
> > > 
> > > > 
> > > 
> > > > metadata
> > > 
> > > > 
> > > 
> > > > forms.db
> > > 
> > > > 
> > > 
> > > > forms.db-journal
> > > 
> > > > 
> > > 
> > > > instances.db
> > > 
> > > > 
> > > 
> > > > instances.db-journal
> > > 
> > > > 
> > > 
> > > > 
> > > 
> > > > 
> > > 
> > > > Can data be recovered?
> > > 
> > > > 
> > > 
> > > > 
> > > 
> > > > 
> > > 
> > > > The second data collector's tablet ran out of battery in the middle of data collection. She also did not save the form during the whole time. The folders and files are as follows:
> > > 
> > > > 
> > > 
> > > > 
> > > 
> > > > 
> > > 
> > > > forms
> > > 
> > > > 
> > > 
> > > > TreeMeasurementEng\_Repeat3.xml
> > > 
> > > > 
> > > 
> > > > instances
> > > 
> > > > 
> > > 
> > > > TreeMeasurementEng\_Repeat3\_2013-06-08\_09-57-43
> > > 
> > > > 
> > > 
> > > > ```
> > > > *.jpg files (multiple)
> > > > 
> > > > ```
> > > 
> > > > 
> > > 
> > > > ```
> > > > - TreeMeasurementEng_Repeat3_2013-06-08_09-57-43.xml
> > > > 
> > > > ```
> > > 
> > > > 
> > > 
> > > > TreeMeasurementEng\_Repeat3\_2013-06-08\_14-26-35
> > > 
> > > > 
> > > 
> > > > ```
> > > > *.jpg file (only one got saved although she took multiple photos)
> > > > 
> > > > ```
> > > 
> > > > 
> > > 
> > > > ```
> > > > TreeMeasurementEng_Repeat3_2013-06-08_14-26-35 (only 1 item although she collected multiple readings)
> > > > 
> > > > ```
> > > 
> > > > 
> > > 
> > > > 
> > > 
> > > > 
> > > 
> > > > 
> > > 
> > > > 
> > > 
> > > > metadata
> > > 
> > > > 
> > > 
> > > > forms.db
> > > 
> > > > 
> > > 
> > > > forms.db-journal
> > > 
> > > > 
> > > 
> > > > instances.db
> > > 
> > > > 
> > > 
> > > > instances.db-journal
> > > 
> > > > 
> > > 
> > > > 
> > > 
> > > > 
> > > 
> > > > Is there still a way to extract the collected data?
> > > 
> > > > 
> > > 
> > > > 
> > > 
> > > > 
> > > 
> > > > Thanks very much, and I apologize for a long writeup.
> > > 
> > > > 
> > > 
> > > > 
> > > 
> > > > 
> > > 
> > > > Cheers,
> > > 
> > > > 
> > > 
> > > > Regie
> > > 
> > > > 
> > > 
> > > > 
> > > 
> > > > 
> > > 
> > > > --
> > > 
> > > > 
> > > 
> > > > --
> > > 
> > > > 
> > > 
> > > > Post: [opend...@googlegroups.com](mailto:opend...@googlegroups.com)
> > > 
> > > > 
> > > 
> > > > Unsubscribe: [opendatakit...@googlegroups.com](mailto:opendatakit...@googlegroups.com)
> > > 
> > > > 
> > > 
> > > > Options: [http://groups.google.com/group/opendatakit?hl=en](http://groups.google.com/group/opendatakit?hl=en)
> > > 
> > > > 
> > > 
> > > > 
> > > 
> > > > 
> > > 
> > > > * * *
> > > 
> > > > 
> > > 
> > > > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "ODK Community" group.
> > > 
> > > > 
> > > 
> > > > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [opendatakit...@googlegroups.com](mailto:opendatakit...@googlegroups.com).
> > > 
> > > > 
> > > 
> > > > For more options, visit [https://groups.google.com/groups/opt\_out](https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out).
> > > 
> > > > 
> > > 
> > > > 
> > > 
> > > > 
> > > 
> > > > 
> > > 
> > > > 
> > > 
> > > > 
> > > 
> > > > 
> > > 
> > > > 
> > > 
> > > > --
> > > 
> > > > Mitch Sundt
> > > 
> > > > Software Engineer
> > > 
> > > > University of Washington
> > > 
> > > > [mitche...@gmail.com](mailto:mitche...@gmail.com)
> > > 
> > > --
> > > 
> > > --
> > > 
> > > Post: [opend...@googlegroups.com](mailto:opend...@googlegroups.com)
> > > 
> > > Unsubscribe: [opendatakit...@googlegroups.com](mailto:opendatakit...@googlegroups.com)
> > > 
> > > Options: [http://groups.google.com/group/opendatakit?hl=en](http://groups.google.com/group/opendatakit?hl=en)
> > > 
> > > * * *
> > > 
> > > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "ODK Community" group.
> > > 
> > > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [opendatakit...@googlegroups.com](mailto:opendatakit...@googlegroups.com).
> > > 
> > > For more options, visit [https://groups.google.com/groups/opt\_out](https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out).
> > > 
> > > --  
> > > Mitch Sundt  
> > > Software Engineer  
> > > University of Washington  
> > > [mitche...@gmail.com](mailto:mitche...@gmail.com)
> > 
> > ## --
> > 
> > Post: [opendatakit@googlegroups.com](mailto:opendatakit@googlegroups.com)  
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> > 
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---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Mitch\_S](https://getodk.b-cdn.net/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/m/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Mitch\_S](https://forum.getodk.org/u/Mitch_S)\
**Post date:** [July 1, 2013, 4:59pm UTC](https://forum.getodk.org/t/odk-community-trying-to-recover-seemingly-lost-data-odk-collect-1-3-1030/2290/5 "2013-07-01T16:59:35Z")

</div>

One way this could happen is if you uploaded an earlier version of the form  
to ODK Aggregate, one without the comment field, then added it later, but  
failed to change the form id. If you then put that newer form version  
directly onto the phone (rather than downloading through ODK Aggregate),  
when you submit the filled-in forms created with the newer form (the one  
having the comment field), then ODK Aggregate will simply ignore the extra  
field and only retain the fields it knows about from the earlier form that  
was uploaded to it.

You need to be very systematic when placing forms on all the various  
devices and ODK Aggregate. If you add fields to an existing survey, I  
highly recommend changing the form\_id for that survey. Continuing to use  
the older form\_id will generally lead to problems like the ones you are  
having.

Mitch

> **···**
>
> On Sun, Jun 30, 2013 at 7:27 AM, Yaw Anokwa wrote:
> 
> > Regie,
> > 
> > Sorry you are having problems. Unless you explicitly removed deleted  
> > the instances, the data should still be on the SD card of your  
> > devices. Take a look to see if the comments are in those XML files.
> > 
> > Did you send the data from the devices to Aggregate and then pull it  
> > to Briefcase or did you use Briefcase to pull the data directly from  
> > Collect?
> > 
> > ## Yaw
> > 
> > Need ODK help? Go to [http://nafundi.com](http://nafundi.com) for custom features, form  
> > design, implementation support, and user training for ODK.
> > 
> > On Sat, Jun 29, 2013 at 10:59 PM, [regie.alam@gmail.com](mailto:regie.alam@gmail.com) wrote:
> > 
> > > More problems.
> > > 
> > > I went out to do another data collection. Added in some information in a  
> > > comment field (text). Used Briefcase to export data out to a spreadsheet.  
> > > However, the information on the comment field all seemed to be lost.
> > > 
> > > Anyway to recover this? Any ideas why this things are happening?
> > > 
> > > Thanks,  
> > > Regie
> > > 
> > > On Wednesday, June 12, 2013 1:44:25 PM UTC-4, Mitch Sundt wrote:
> > > 
> > > > Alas, No.
> > > > 
> > > > On Wed, Jun 12, 2013 at 12:05 AM, [regie...@gmail.com](mailto:regie...@gmail.com) wrote:
> > > > 
> > > > I was hoping that it would do that. However, it didn't do it in this 2  
> > > > cases. I also do not see the xml.save file mentioned in the following  
> > > > thread  
> > > > [https://groups.google.com/forum/?fromgroups#!searchin/opendatakit/xml.save/opendatakit/JkNl8tdUwNw/wVzXafdp22IJ](https://groups.google.com/forum/?fromgroups#!searchin/opendatakit/xml.save/opendatakit/JkNl8tdUwNw/wVzXafdp22IJ)
> > > > 
> > > > Can anything be recovered from the Metadata folder?
> > > > 
> > > > Regie
> > > > 
> > > > On Tuesday, June 11, 2013 1:12:52 PM UTC-4, Mitch Sundt wrote:
> > > > 
> > > > > Generally speaking, if the user just re-launches ODK Collect and  
> > > > > re-opens the form that they were filling out, ODK Collect will open the  
> > > > > savepoint file it made for that form. Generally with all the values  
> > > > > preserved from the preceding swipe.
> > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > > On Mon, Jun 10, 2013 at 9:47 PM, [regie...@gmail.com](mailto:regie...@gmail.com) wrote:
> > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > > Hello,
> > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > > I deployed 3 tablets for a survey. One operator encountered  
> > > > > problems (unfortunately, I cannot determine exactly what problems occurred)  
> > > > > but she lost access to the form. Prior to that she was able to enter data  
> > > > > but did not save the form during the whole time before not being able to  
> > > > > access the form. The remaining folders and files are as follows:
> > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > > forms
> > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > > TreeMeasurementEng\_Repeat3.xml
> > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > > instances
> > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > > TreeMeasurementEng\_Repeat3\_2013-06-08\_10-00-16
> > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > > ```
> > > > > *.jpg files (multiple)
> > > > > 
> > > > > ```
> > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > > ```
> > > > > - there is no xml file in this folder
> > > > > 
> > > > > ```
> > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > > metadata
> > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > > forms.db
> > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > > forms.db-journal
> > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > > instances.db
> > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > > instances.db-journal
> > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > > Can data be recovered?
> > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > > The second data collector's tablet ran out of battery in the middle  
> > > > > of data collection. She also did not save the form during the whole time.  
> > > > > The folders and files are as follows:
> > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > > forms
> > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > > TreeMeasurementEng\_Repeat3.xml
> > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > > instances
> > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > > TreeMeasurementEng\_Repeat3\_2013-06-08\_09-57-43
> > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > > ```
> > > > > *.jpg files (multiple)
> > > > > 
> > > > > ```
> > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > > ```
> > > > > - TreeMeasurementEng_Repeat3_2013-06-08_09-57-43.xml
> > > > > 
> > > > > ```
> > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > > TreeMeasurementEng\_Repeat3\_2013-06-08\_14-26-35
> > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > > ```
> > > > > *.jpg file (only one got saved although she took multiple
> > > > > 
> > > > > ```
> > 
> > photos)
> > 
> > > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > > ```
> > > > > TreeMeasurementEng_Repeat3_2013-06-08_14-26-35 (only 1 item
> > > > > 
> > > > > ```
> > 
> > although she collected multiple readings)
> > 
> > > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > > metadata
> > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > > forms.db
> > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > > forms.db-journal
> > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > > instances.db
> > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > > instances.db-journal
> > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > > Is there still a way to extract the collected data?
> > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > > Thanks very much, and I apologize for a long writeup.
> > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > > Cheers,
> > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > > Regie
> > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > > --
> > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > > --
> > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > > Post: [opend...@googlegroups.com](mailto:opend...@googlegroups.com)
> > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > > Unsubscribe: [opendatakit...@googlegroups.com](mailto:opendatakit...@googlegroups.com)
> > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > > Options: [http://groups.google.com/group/opendatakit?hl=en](http://groups.google.com/group/opendatakit?hl=en)
> > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > > * * *
> > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google  
> > > > > Groups "ODK Community" group.
> > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it,  
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> > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > > For more options, visit [https://groups.google.com/groups/opt\_out](https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out).
> > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > > --
> > > > 
> > > > > Mitch Sundt
> > > > 
> > > > > Software Engineer
> > > > 
> > > > > University of Washington
> > > > 
> > > > > [mitche...@gmail.com](mailto:mitche...@gmail.com)
> > > > 
> > > > --
> > > > 
> > > > --
> > > > 
> > > > Post: [opend...@googlegroups.com](mailto:opend...@googlegroups.com)
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> > > > 
> > > > * * *
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> > > > For more options, visit [https://groups.google.com/groups/opt\_out](https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out).
> > > > 
> > > > --  
> > > > Mitch Sundt  
> > > > Software Engineer  
> > > > University of Washington  
> > > > [mitche...@gmail.com](mailto:mitche...@gmail.com)
> > > 
> > > ## --
> > > 
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> > 
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> 
> --  
> Mitch Sundt  
> Software Engineer  
> University of Washington  
> [mitchellsundt@gmail.com](mailto:mitchellsundt@gmail.com)