Kobo GPS and media
Kobo can collect point, line and area geometry. That makes it useful for much more than a survey form with one latitude/longitude field.
Geometry types
| Kobo form | XLSForm type | GeoJSON result | Example mahi |
|---|---|---|---|
| Point | geopoint | Point | culvert, observation, asset, monitoring site |
| Line | geotrace | LineString | track, fence, walked reach, access route |
| Area | geoshape | Polygon | restoration patch, weed area, inspection area |
These geometries are captured from the device rather than from cadastral survey equipment. A phone location can be entirely adequate for a restoration observation and still be unsuitable for determining a legal boundary.
Accuracy is part of the measurement
Raw Kobo GPS values can include latitude, longitude, altitude and a reported accuracy value. Keep the accuracy field when it matters to the project.
A current export detail is easy to miss: GeoJSON export does not retain the Kobo GPS accuracy value. If you need that value, keep a CSV/XLS export or copy the relevant accuracy into a separate form field before relying only on GeoJSON.
Coordinate order changes
Kobo's raw GPS representation uses latitude then longitude. GeoJSON uses the GeoJSON standard order: longitude, latitude. QGIS handles this automatically when it opens valid GeoJSON, but it matters when somebody manually parses coordinates or writes a script.
Multiple GPS questions
Flattened GeoJSON is convenient for GIS, but a form with several GPS questions can become harder to interpret because the grouping between geometries from one submission is less obvious. For GIS-focused forms, keep the geometry model simple or export only the GPS field needed for that layer.
Photos and other media
Kobo can collect photographs, audio, video and file attachments. For GIS, a photo becomes much more useful when the same submission records:
- what the photo shows
- date/time
- site or asset ID
- condition/category
- direction or subject where useful
- GPS location and accuracy where relevant
The attachment can then support the feature rather than becoming a folder of unexplained filenames.
Example: riparian restoration
A taiao team could use a point observation for each repeat monitoring location and record survival, weed pressure, browse damage and photographs. A separate area geometry can represent a planting block if that boundary is useful. Keep the site IDs consistent across years so the map can show change.
Official reference: Mapping GPS data in KoboToolbox.
Next: KoboToolbox to QGIS.
Last reviewed: 26 August 2026
Where this fits for taiao, marae and whenua work
For taiao, marae and whenua field work, geometry quality should match the question: a phone point can be useful for a culvert, planting site or asset visit without being mistaken for a legal boundary. Continue with KoboToolbox to QGIS, Taiao data and Marae GIS.