How to create a scoring or point system

If you are using GoCanvas for surveys, inspections, or audits you may need to have a scoring system to determine a pass/fail result. This is possible to build into your App and utilizes our Reference Data feature. If you are unfamiliar with Reference Data, view our tutorial.

This tutorial will show you how to create a simple scoring system based on selecting "Yes" or "No" for audit questions.

Build your scoring Reference Data

The first step you will need to take is to create your scoring Reference Data. In one column you will need to list your possible responses. In this example, that is Yes and No. In the next column, add the associated points.

Save the data as a CSV file and upload to GoCanvas. Learn how to do so in our Reference Data tutorial.

Add scoring to your app

Next, you will need to create a new App or edit an existing App containing the fields needed to be scored.

1. Launch the App Builder from your Apps page.
2. Locate the screen or screens in your app where scoring should be added.
3. Drag a Number field below your first question that needs to be scored and label it something like "1. Score."
   
   
   
   
4. Click on the Number field to bring up the field settings on the left.

• If you want the score to appear on the mobile device but do not want your mobile users to have access to edit the field, check the Read Only setting.
  
  
   
• If you want the score field to remain hidden from your mobile users, expand the More Field Settings tab and un-check the Mobile Visible setting.
  
  

Map your scoring Reference Data

Now that you have the needed fields, we can map your scoring Reference Data file.

1. Click to edit your first question.
2. Expand the Reference Data tab.
3. In the Reference Column drop down, select your scoring file.
4. In the Reference Data drop down, select your "responses" column. This field will now populate with all responses listed in your field. In this example, Yes and No.
   
   
   
   
5. Click to edit your Score field.
6. In the Reference Column drop down, select your scoring file.
7. In the Reference Column drop down, select your "score" column.
8. In the Reference Screen drop down, select the screen where Question 1 exists. This will likely be the screen you are working on in most cases.
9. In the Reference Field drop down, select Question 1. Now your point field will automatically populate based on the response selected in Question 1.

Repeat!

Use our copy feature to speed up the process.

If you haven't already created your additional questions, just click the Copy button to make a duplicate field. This will also copy the Reference Data mapping used in the field being copied.

Next, edit the field label to type next question.

If you have already created your additional questions, follow the field mapping steps in Section 3 to maps your additional questions to your Reference Data.

Repeat the copy process with the score field. Click to edit the copied score field and expand the Reference Data tab. Change the Reference Field from Question 1 to the new question. No need to update anything else in this tab!

As best practice, we suggest dragging the field below the associated question and adding the question number to the label. This makes identifying the score field easier when being used in Calculation or Summary fields.

Note: If each question has different possible responses (Yes, No, and NA needed instead of Yes and No) or point values (Yes = 1 point for Question 1, but Yes = 2 points for Question 2), you will need to update the reference data and reference column as needed.

Calculating Total Score

To calculate the total score, add a calculation field at the bottom of the screen. Click to edit the field to bring up the field settings. If you are unfamiliar with calculation fields, you can learn more here.

Add up all of your score fields by clicking the Add Field button. This is where labeling your score fields with the question number comes in handy!

Showing Pass/Fail Results

You can use conditional branching (or skip logic) to display Pass/Fail results. If you have never used conditional branching in your apps, you can read through our tutorial here.

1. Add two Static Text fields to your app. Label one field Pass and the other Fail.
2. Click to edit the Pass field.
3. Expand the Field Conditions tab and click + New field condition.
4. In the Condition Screen drop down, select the screen where your total score calculation exists.
5. In the Condition Field drop down, select the total score calculation.
6. The Condition and Condition Value settings depend on your scoring/point system. If passing is a total score above 5 points, your Condition would be > (Greater Than). If passing is a total score of 5 or above, your Condition would be >= (Greater Than or Equal). In both cases, the Condition Value would be 5.
   
   
   
   
7. Repeat steps 2-5 for your Fail field.
8. If failing is a total score below 5 points, your Condition would be < (Less Than).  If failing is a total score of 5 or below, your Condition would be <= (Less Than or Equal).  In both cases, the Condition Value would be 5. 

The Pass field will only appear when the condition is met (total score of 5 or above). The Fail field will appear when the total score is below 5.