Connect the desktop app

The CensusIO desktop app collects survey records offline and syncs them to your organization when you are online. You connect it once. From then on it downloads your forms and syncs in the background.

There are two ways to connect: signing in through your browser (the easy way), or pasting a device token (for machines where the browser hand-off is blocked).

This is the same idea as connecting an editor extension: the app opens your browser, you confirm, and the app is connected. Nothing to copy.

Open the desktop app and go to Connect.
Check the Server address (it is https://censusio.com unless you run your own), then choose Sign in with browser.
Your browser opens. If you are not already signed in, sign in with the same account you use on the website.
Choose the organization to connect, then select Authorize this device.
The browser shows Connected. Close that tab and return to the app. It is now connected and ready to download forms and sync.

Paste a device token

Some government and enterprise computers block a local browser hand-off. On those, connect with a token instead.

In CensusIO on the web, open Settings, then the Device tokens section.
Select Create token, give it a name (for example, the device or person), and copy the token. It is shown once, so copy it before leaving the page.
In the desktop app, go to Connect, open Advanced: enter a device token manually, fill in your organization and paste the token, then Save token.

A device token also acts as you, with your role, and is listed under Settings, Device tokens so you can see and revoke it.

Revoke a device

To disconnect a device, open Settings, then Device tokens, and revoke the token for that device. The next sync from that device is refused. Revoke a token any time a device is lost, replaced, or no longer needed.

Switch organizations

To point the app at a different organization, open Connect and sign in with your browser again, then choose the other organization. The new connection replaces the old one on that device.

Backups

Your data lives in an encrypted database on the device and syncs to your organization when you are online. For extra safety in the field, set one or two backup folders (an SD card, a USB drive, OneDrive) under Backup:

With two folders, backups alternate between them, so a failed write to one drive never costs you the only copy.
A backup is written after every sync, and you can turn on an automatic backup on a 5, 15, or 30 minute timer.
Export records to a file writes a portable copy you can carry on removable media or send by email.

Settings

Open Settings (the gear in the left rail) for:

Appearance: follow your operating system, or always use light or dark.
Location: geometry fields capture this device’s location. If it is blocked, choose Open Windows location settings, turn on location for desktop apps, then Test location. You can always type coordinates by hand instead.