Only use type, name and label columns when merging forms

[ivermac]

The merged xform feature allows 2 or more forms to be merged when they have the same field names. We recently found out that the functionality fails if the referenced fields in one form are not available in the other forms even if they are not part of the field names that are to be merged. In our use case, there was a field referenced in the calculation column in one form but that field wasn't in the other form. The error thrown was:

Problem Merging the Form: There has been a problem trying to replace ${<field_name>} with the XPath to the survey element named 'field_name'. There is no survey element with this name.

We are thinking of only merging data in columns type, name and label and ignoring the rest - these columns can be found on the survey tab on an xls file - because at the moment, the feature doesn't support editing of data in a merged xform; editing is done on the original forms.

[ukanga]

When merging forms, what functionality should be copied over?

1. Currently, all matching questions everything (calculations, relevant, appearance, ...)
2. Only matching questions, question type and labels? Should we remove non-existent references in this case?
3. Everything on matching questions with non-existent references removed?

Considering we are not allowing direct data submissions or edits to the merged form.

cc: @rowo @mberg @pld

[pld]

I can see use cases for all three types of merge depending on the use case, we don't have to exclusively course one. Any input from the business and support teams on what clients are needing/missing/requesting here?

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On Wed, Mar 13, 2019 at 01:47 ukanga ***@***.***> wrote: When merging forms, what functionality should be copied over? 1. Currently, all matching questions everything (calculations, relevant, appearance, ...) 2. Only matching questions, question type and labels? Should we remove non-existent references in this case? 3. Everything on matching questions with non-existent references removed? Considering we are not allowing direct data submissions or edits to the merged form. cc: @rowo <https://github.com/rowo> @mberg <https://github.com/mberg> @pld <https://github.com/pld> — You are receiving this because you were mentioned. Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub <#1587 (comment)>, or mute the thread <https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AADGEvs-ukdDp73PPXWy0ACy9FhRE8RSks5vWLs-gaJpZM4bsoOX> .