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---
id: connections
title: Připojení
description: Overview about how to share data with others using Tella Connections - Server Connections (Google Drive, Dropbox, Uwazi, ODK, Tella Web and Nextcloud) and Nearby Sharing (offline sharing)
slug: /connections
sidebar_position: 4
---

import ConnectionsTable from '.././_connections-table.md';
import Button from '@site/src/components/Button';




# Tella Connections – Overview

In addition to keeping their data protected within the app, users can use **Connections** to securely share data with others. Depending on the type of connection, some possible use cases include:
- Volunteers or activists on the ground submitting forms directly to their organization from Tella.
- A group of people connecting to a drive, cloud, or shared space to send files.
- A group of journalists sharing encrypted data with each other during an internet shutdown.
- An individual backing up selected files to their personal computer.


There are two main types of connections:
- [**Nearby Sharing**](#nearby-sharing): Share encrypted files with another Tella device in physical proximity. This feature does **not** require an internet connection and is typically used during internet shutdowns.
- [**Upload to a server**](#server-connections): Connect to a server and upload files over the internet so that others can access them. This feature is commonly used by organizations running data collection processes.

Connections can be configured on **Settings** → **Connections**. The Tella home screen will display a shortcut to all connected servers. Nearby Sharing is turned on by default, but it can be disabled as well.


## Nearby Sharing {#nearby-sharing}

Nearby Sharing can be used to transfer files directly between Tella vaults. It is available on Tella Android, Tella iOS, and Tella Desktop. Transfers are encrypted, use the Wi-Fi protocol, and work with or without an internet connection, even on insecure or monitored networks.

We designed this connection type with a strong focus on security, especially for use in repressive environments, and it has been [audited by an independent security firm](/security-and-privacy#security-audits).

<Button label="Continue reading about Nearby Sharing" link="/nearby-sharing"/>


## Server Connections {#server-connections}

Server Connections are useful for organizations leading data collection processes. Organizations can choose, configure, and manage a server to centralize data collected by volunteers or activists in the field. These individuals gather information using Tella on their devices and then send it to their organization.

Previous Tella deployments, where on-the-ground users collected data and sent it to an organization's server, have ranged from 1 to 2,000 users. You can read user stories [here](/user-stories), or [contact us](/contact-us) for assistance in finding the best way to use Tella for your organization.

Currently, Tella can connect to the following types of servers:

* [Open Data Kit (ODK)](/odk)
* [Uwazi](/uwazi)
* [Tella Web](/tella-web)
* [Google Drive](/g-drive)
* [Nextcloud](/nextcloud)
* [Dropbox](/dropbox)

Feature availability by platform:
<ConnectionsTable/>

Some individuals use commercial clouds (Google Drive, Dropbox, Nextcloud) as a backup system for their Tella data. However, we advise using this feature with caution:
- Automatic backups to any server are **not** currently available. They need to be made manually as submissions to each of the servers.
- Files on the server will be accessible to anyone with server access.

[Read more about backups in Tella](/features#backup-files)

:::info
All server connections are **offline first**, with built-in mechanisms to pause and resume uploads when the internet is unreliable. Learn more about [offline data collection here](/features#offline-data-collection).
:::

:::danger
Even though data is transferred to the server securely (SSL), files stored on the server are **not** encrypted. Anyone with access to the server can view them.
:::

<Button label="Continue reading about Server Connections and how organizations use Tella" link="/for-organizations"/>


:::tip
The [Share](/features#share-button) feature is also available for sharing files directly with other apps installed on the device.
:::
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---
id: odk
title: Open Data Kit (ODK)
description: The Open Data Kit server connection is available for organizations looking to collect structured data using forms.
slug: /odk
---

# Open Data Kit (ODK) Connection

The [Open Data Kit (ODK)](https://getodk.org/) is an open standard used to create custom forms and collect data.

An Open Data Kit server allows organizations to aggregate, in a central repository, data collected by their members or partners. Tella users connect to their organization's ODK instance, fill forms as many times as they need (even if they don't have internet connectivity), and upload the data. Organizations can download the data from the server or analyze it on the server, depending on the chosen server alternatives.

Similarly to any other server connection (like [Tella Web](/tella-web), [Google Drive](/g-drive), [Dropbox](/dropbox), [Nextcloud](/nextcloud) or [Uwazi](/uwazi)), connecting to the ODK server enhances the security of data collected on Tella by:

1. Allowing users to collect data directly inside Tella's encrypted container.
2. Ensuring that data is sent directly from Tella to the ODK server, without relying on a third-party tool or app.
3. Allowing users to back up their data on a remote server, to lower the risk that data is discovered on their mobile device.
4. Ensuring that organizations can preserve important information even in the event of device seizure or destruction, and can organize it for research, advocacy, or accountability processes.

:::danger
Even though data is transferred to the server securely (SSL), anyone with access to the ODK account can view the files. If you need encrypted file transfers, explore [Nearby Sharing](/nearby-sharing).
:::


### Choosing and Installing Your ODK Server {#choosing-and-installing-your-odk-server}

Because ODK is an open standard, Tella can be used with any of the tools that are ODK-compliant.

For civil society organizations and human rights defenders, we recommend using [KoboToolbox](https://www.kobotoolbox.org/) to create forms with custom questions, manage users, and aggregate the data submitted by users. Based on our experience, KoboToolbox is user-friendly and flexible, and it is also open source. KoboToolbox offers a [community plan for non-profits](https://www.kobotoolbox.org/pricing/) and offer free training resources and guidance on how to structure the data on the server (Self-serve learning base and Community Forum). It is also possible [to use a private instance of KoboToolbox](https://www.kobotoolbox.org/services/private-servers/) or [self-host it](https://support.kobotoolbox.org/kobo_your_servers.html).

:::tip
We are work closely with the Kobotoolbox team. If you are interested in using the Tella-KoboToolbox connection and would like some support or to discuss the best hosting plan for your use case, please [contact us](/contact-us).
:::

There are other ODK-compliant apps available, like [Ona](https://ona.io/home/) or [ODK Cloud](https://https://getodk.org/index.html). Tella works with any of these.


### When to Use ODK {#when-to-use-odk}

We recommend ODK to organizations that need on-the-ground users to collect data in a structured manner like forms. We also recommend it to organizations that don't have the technical capacity to install and maintain a server and want to use a ready-to-use cloud instance. If you use a cloud instance, remember that the organization hosting your ODK instance will be able to access your data. This is an important consideration when deciding whether to self-host or use a cloud service.

ODK and KoboToolbox are widely used, well-documented, and easy to use. There are guides available, and they offer support to non-profit organizations on how to structure and maintain their data.

:::tip
If you need help figuring out if ODK is best for your use-case, [read our guide](/for-organizations) or [contact us](/contact-us)!
:::

## Model Your Data {#model-your-data}

KoboToolbox offers a detailed guide on how to create your project and add questions to your forms, and how to deploy them to make them available to on-the-ground users [here](https://support.kobotoolbox.org/overview_of_creating_a_project.html).

## Connect Tella to an ODK Instance to Collect Data {#connect-tella-to-an-odk-instance-to-collect-data}

In this documentation, we focus on how to collect data using Tella. There are alternative mobile apps that can be used to collect data on ODK, including the ODK Collect Android app. You can see a comparison of these alternatives [here](/faq#how-is-tella-different-from-other-documentation-apps).

:::info
The ODK connection is not available for Tella iOS.
:::

### Connect to an ODK Server {#connect-to-an-odk-server}
After creating and deploying a Form using any ODK-compliant server, in Tella, go to **Settings** > **Connections** > **+** > **Open Data Kit (ODK)**. Fill the following fields:
- **Server Name**: A descriptive name for your server in Tella. The name you select is only visible in the app and does not impact the ODK connection.
- **Server URL**: Your server URL. For example, `kc.kobotoolbox.org` if you are using the KoboToolbox public server.
If your server requires user authentication, tap the **Advanced** button and enter your **Username** and **Password**. Your server's administrator should provide all this information to you.


### Fill forms {#fill-forms}

After you successfully connected to the ODK instance, you'll see a new card called "Forms" in the **Connections** sections of the Tella homescreen.

After you enter the **Forms** section, you will see a list of Forms available to you on the instance(s) that you are connected to. Using the **Download** button you can download forms to Tella so that you can fill them, even if you are not connected to the internet.

You can tap on each blank form to start filling it.


#### Submit forms {#submit-forms}

As you collect data and fill forms the following options are available to increase offline support on Tella:
- Submit: send the filled form to the ODK server.
- Save as draft: save a form that is not completed so you can continue working on it later.
- Submit later: mark a form as complete to submit it a later point. Until it is sent, it will be available in the Outbox tab.
- Drafts tab: a tab with the list of all draft forms. Drafts can be edited or deleted.
- Outbox tab: a table with the list of all forms ready to be submitted. Forms in the Outbox tab can be edited, deleted, or submitted.
- Submitted tab: a tab with the list of all forms that have been successfully sent to the server. Submitted forms can be deleted.
- Pause/Resume submission: you can manually pause a submission and resume it when ready.
- Automatically pause submission when offline: forms will be sent to the Outbox tab if the submission fails due to connectivity issues.

### Supported Question Types {#supported-question-types}
Below is an overview of the ODK question types that are supported in Tella Android. If there is a question type that isn't supported in Tella and that is critical to your workflow, please [contact us](/contact-us).

| **Question type** | **Tella Android** |
|------|------|
| Select One | ✔️ |
| Select Many | ✔️ |
| Text | ✔️ |
| Number / Decimal | ✔️ |
| Datum | ✔️ |
| Cas | ✔️ |
| Date & time | Ne |
| Point (calculate my current location) | ✔️ |
| Point (show my location on a map) | ✔️ |
| Point (let me choose my location on a map) | ✔️ |
| Line | Ne |
| Area | Ne |
| Photo | ✔️ |
| Photo signature (handwrite my signature) | ✔️ |
| Audio | ✔️ |
| Video | ✔️ |
| Soubor | ✔️ |
| Poznámka | ✔️ |
| Barcode / QR Code | Ne |
| Potvrdit | ✔️ |
| Rating | ✔️ |
| Question Matrix | Ne |
| Ranking | ✔️ |
| Calculate | Ne |
| Skrytý | Ne |
| Range | Ne |
| External XML | Ne |

### Supported Features {#supported-features}

Below is an overview of the ODK features that are supported in Tella Android. If there is a feature that isn't supported in Tella and that is critical to your workflow, please [contact us](/contact-us).

| **Feature** | **Tella Android** |
|------|------|
| [Offline data collection](/odk#submit-forms) | ✔️ |
| [Form logic](https://docs.getodk.org/form-logic/) | ❌ |
| [Requiring responses](https://docs.getodk.org/form-logic/#requiring-responses) | ✔️ |
| [Setting default responses](https://docs.getodk.org/form-logic/#setting-default-responses) | ❌ |
| [Triggering calculations on value change](https://docs.getodk.org/form-logic/#triggering-calculations-on-value-change) | ❌ |
| [Validating and restricting responses](https://docs.getodk.org/form-logic/#validating-and-restricting-responses) | ❌ |
| [Conditionally showing questions](https://docs.getodk.org/form-logic/#conditionally-showing-questions) | ✔️ |
| [Groups of questions](https://docs.getodk.org/form-logic/#groups-of-questions) | ✔️ |
| [Repeating questions](https://docs.getodk.org/form-logic/#repeating-questions) | ✔️ |
| [Filtering options in select questions](https://docs.getodk.org/form-logic/#filtering-options-in-select-questions) | ✔️ |
| [Generating select ones from repeats](https://docs.getodk.org/form-logic/#generating-select-ones-from-repeats) | ❌ |
| [Form metadata (background data collection)](https://docs.getodk.org/form-audit-log/) | ❌ |


:::tip
If you need a fully offline way to share files with others, consider exploring [Nearby Sharing](/nearby-sharing).
:::
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