Which formulas make a survey calculate things for you?

A small set covers most needs: if/then for logic, score for turning choices into points, floor and ceiling for rounding, and distance between and altitude of for location maths. They turn a form that merely records answers into one that flags, scores and measures as it goes.

Video: Master mWater Formulas Like a Pro on YouTube

Why this matters

Calculations left for the office are calculations done late, and sometimes not at all. A form that scores a facility while the enumerator is still standing in it can raise a follow-up before they leave, and one that computes days since the last visit can decide on the spot whether this visit counts. These formulas are the difference between collecting data and acting on it.

How to do it

  1. Add a calculation to the survey wherever you want a derived value.
  2. Use if/then to set flags, for example marking a site more than 90 days past maintenance.
  3. Use score to convert answer choices into a risk, readiness or quality score.
  4. Use floor and ceiling to keep calculated values tidy for reporting.
  5. Use distance between and altitude of for coverage, routing and elevation questions.
  6. Preview the survey and check the calculated values before deploying it.

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