Quickstart guide

Last updated: 30 Sep 2025

This article provides a quick guide to getting started with KoboToolbox. It explains how to create an account, build and deploy a form, and begin collecting data.

Creating an account and signing in

To get started, go to the Sign up page and create an account on one of our public servers. Most users sign up for an account on our Global KoboToolbox Server. Users and organizations that require or prefer data hosting in the European Union can sign up for an account on the European Union KoboToolbox Server.

Activate your account using the emailed link, then sign in via the server URL or the Sign up page.

For more information about creating an account, see Creating an account on KoboToolbox.

Creating your first project

To create your first form:

  1. Click on NEW. You will be prompted to choose a project source.

Option

Description

Build from scratch

Build a form using the KoboToolbox Formbuilder.

Use a template

Build a form using a template from the question library.

Upload XLSForm

Upload an XLSForm file where you have defined your questions.

Import an XLSForm via URL

Upload an XLSForm file from an online source such as Google Drive or Dropbox.

  1. Select Build from scratch to create a new form using the KoboToolbox Formbuilder.

  2. In the Project details dialog box, enter the relevant information about your project and then click CREATE PROJECT.

Building a form using the Formbuilder

  1. Once in the Formbuilder, click the button to add your first question. Enter the question label and choose a question type.

  2. To specify question parameters, click the Settings icon. For example, you can make a question required, change its appearance, or add skip logic conditions.

  3. Click Preview form to view and test your form.

  4. To save the form, click Save in the top right corner, then click to close the form.

To learn more about using the Formbuilder, see Getting started with the KoboToolbox Formbuilder and Using the question options.

Deploying your form for data collection

  1. To start collecting data, click DEPLOY in the FORM page to deploy your draft form as a new data collection project.

  2. Under Collect data, click Copy to share the form link for data entry from a browser on any device (computer, iPhone, Android).

  3. Alternatively, download and set up the KoboCollect Android application for mobile data collection.

Note: To share your form with anyone with the form URL, enable “Allow submissions to this form without a username and password” in the FORM page, under Collect data.

Once you have collected data, you can view, edit, and download it from the DATA page of your project. To learn more about managing your data, see the Managing Projects & Data support section.