Problem with Start new form in ODK collect app, after add project with scan QR code

Support
1

Hi ODK community,

I work with ODK aggregate and now with ODK central. from December 2025 have problem with “Start new form” in ODK collect app. I upload new my excel file in new project, Create App Users - Configure Client - See code. Create Publics Access Link /It works properly, the questionnaire is filled out and loaded into the database. The database also records the arrival of a new questionnaire/.

The mobile application Loading QR code, but when I enter the Start new form, it says “no blank form - Download form to get started.

in mobile ODK Collect v2025.3.3 version

I would also like to inform you that at this stage I have uploaded 3 questionnaires at the same time /almost identical, of which the QR code of one is working properly/. I have also tested several "old questionnaires" that are still in ODK Central and they also work.

Please help me, because field work is due to start in 1-2 days and I need to know what to do.with this problem.

Thank you very much in advance for your help.

2

Hi @SHOSHKA

When you get a chance, please introduce yourself here. I'd also encourage you to add a real picture as your avatar because it helps build community!

Could you confirm that you’re setting form access correctly? https://docs.getodk.org/central-projects/#managing-form-access

3

Hi Grzesiek,

I have been working in ODK for several years and had at least 20-30 projects uploaded to the central. Both on our server and on friends central to.
I do everything as before.
The Excel file is uploaded as a new project, created web link /which works normally, the form is filled and is also sent to the database after filling/. (At this stage, we are talking about 4 projects, which are almost the same in content, size and complexity).
A QR code is also created, but when I scan this QR code in my mobile ODK app, /a file is created in my mobile/, but when I enter to fill out a new form, it says that the form cannot be downloaded/.

In addition, it is interesting that one of these 4 projects is working perfectly.

I don't know how significant it is that I encountered this problem in December 2025. Also, all the old projects that are now in Central are also working properly.

I hope you can help, because these projects are starting in these days.

Thank you in advance.

David

4

First, you said:

but later:

The first description suggests there’s no error, just an empty list of forms while the second implies that an error is displayed. Could you clarify which one is correct?

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5

@SHOSHKA I suspect that there's a subtle form design issue that's making Collect reject the form even though Central accepted it. Could you please send the form in direct message to @Grzesiek2010 and me so that we can troubleshoot?

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Thank you very much for your help, I just want to inform you that the label in this questionnaire was created in Georgian (not USA) :slight_smile:

SOS 5_17 Tbilisi_Kutaisi.xlsx (144.0 KB)

7

Thanks for the form @SHOSHKA

The issue occurs because the form title is too long, which causes problems when saving the form file on the device. I will create an issue in our GitHub repository so we can discuss how to handle cases like this in the future. For now, simply shortening the title will resolve the problem.

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8

Panie Grzegorzu,
Bardzo dziękuję za pomoc. Problem został rozwiązany i wszystkie formularze ładują się w aplikacji ODK.

Thank you very much for your help. The problem is solved and all forms are loading in the ODK app.

P.S. W 1989 roku Zrobiłbym studia magisterskie w Instytucie Geografii w Łodzi. Mam wiele miłych wspomnień związanych z polonezem.
Jeszcze raz dziękuję za uwagę.

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