Data Dictionaries

Data Dictionaries are a way for an organization to standardize names and styles used while collecting data on the mobile device. This is particularly useful in assuring all remote users use the exact same information for a particular item that they map in the field. This consistency makes it easy to manage large datasets in MapItFast and in third party programs where the data may be exported.

MapItFast’s data dictionary functionality allows your organization to define sets of commonly mapped objects. You can have multiple different dictionaries to correspond to different projects or departments of your organization. And each dictionary can have an unlimited number of objects in it.

Setting Up on the Web

When building a dictionary, you define the name and display style for each object that you commonly map.
You can even configure the dictionary entry to be sensitive to the type of object you are mapping. If, for instance, you are designing a dictionary for Parks and Recreation, you might want to have options for picnic tables and bathrooms when you map a point. But if you’re mapping a line, you only want to see options for pathways and fences, for instance. MapItFast’s data dictionaries can recognize the type of object you are mapping and adjust the options displayed accordingly.

Using In the Field

To use a data dictionary in the field, you simply map an object like normal. Tap the object type that you want to map and in the naming dialog that comes up, instead of filling out the name by hand, you’ll just select the item you want from the dictionary list. You can select different dictionaries in the dropdown menu. Then tap the appropriate entry. MapItFast will fill in the name value automatically.

And when you select done, you’ll see that the object displays on the map with the styles you set in the dictionary.