---
title: "GPS Location and Weather Fields: Capture Context with Precision"
url: "https://help.ontraccr.com/en/article/gps-location-and-weather-fields-capture-context-with-precision"
language: "en"
last_updated: "2025-05-26T21:44:03.483Z"
---

# GPS Location and Weather Fields: Capture Context with Precision

## 📄 GPS Location & Weather Fields: Capture Site Context Automatically  
 

The **GPS Location** and **Weather** fields in Ontraccr let you capture detailed site context—like where a form was submitted and what the weather was like at that moment. These fields are ideal for safety documentation, jobsite reporting, and progress tracking.

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## 📍 GPS Location Field

The **GPS Location** field pulls the submitter’s current location using their device’s geolocation data. It’s visualized on a map, and can be configured to allow one or multiple entries.

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### 🛠 How to Add a GPS Location Field

1.  In **Step 2: Fields**, click **➕ Add Field**
2.  Select **GPS Location** from the Field Type dropdown
3.  Configure:
    -   Field title
    -   Number of locations allowed
    -   Required vs. optional
    -   Use Coordinates (if you want to configure the GPS location using coordinates instead of an address)
    -   Show conditionally based on configured logic

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### 🔍 Key Features

| Option | Description |
| --- | --- |
| **Google Maps Preview** | Users see a pin on a map view (auto-zoomed) |
| **Multi-location Mode** | Allow multiple pins (e.g., check-in/out or multiple job points) |
| **Mobile Support** | Fully supported on phones/tablets (uses native GPS) |

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### 🧠 Use Cases

| Scenario | GPS Usage |
| --- | --- |
| Site Check-in / Check-out | 1 location at each |
| Documenting Incident Location | 1 required entry |
| Daily Report → "Where did the crew work today?" | Multi-location |
| Safety forms with audit trails | Lock coordinates + map preview |

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## ⛅️ Weather Field

The **Weather** field captures weather conditions for a selected **date and location**. It supports both:

-   **Live capture** (based on device location)
-   **Historical lookup** (based on selected date/location)

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### 🛠 How to Add a Weather Field

1.  In **Step 2: Fields**, click **➕ Add Field**
2.  Select **Weather** from the Field Type dropdown
3.  Configure:
    -   **Units** preference: Celsius/Fahrenheit, km/h vs. mph
    -   **Show Weather Report**
    -   **Show Daily Snapshot**
    -   Auto-capture vs. user-triggered
    -   **Prefill from Project** — Check this box if you want the weather location to automatically be set to the selected Project's location.
    -   **Is Editable?** — Check this box if you want to allow the form author to manually set the location.
    -   **Link to date field** — If checked, weather will be pulled based on the linked date

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### 📊 Data Captured

| Metric | Example |
| --- | --- |
| Temperature | 18°C |
| Wind Speed & Direction | 12 km/h NW |
| Humidity | 60% |
| Conditions | Sunny / Rain / Overcast |
| Precipitation | 0.0 mm |
| Visibility | 10 km |

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### 🔁 Snapshot vs. Full Report

| Option | Description |
| --- | --- |
| **Snapshot** | Captures a short summary (ideal for field use) |
| **Full Report** | Adds detailed breakdowns (used in audits or disputes) |

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### 🧠 Use Cases

| Scenario | Weather Usage |
| --- | --- |
| Delay documentation | Capture weather conditions during work stoppage |
| Jobsite safety forms | Prove unsafe conditions (wind, rain) |
| Daily logs | Add weather context with a snapshot |
| Subcontractor disputes | Full report to support documentation |

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## 📌 Tips & Best Practices

-   🧭 Pair **GPS + Weather** fields in safety or job log forms for total context
-   ✅ Use **historical lookup** mode to document past events retroactively
-   🔒 Lock GPS to prevent user modification (audit reliability)
-   ⚙️ Add conditional logic to show Weather field only when "delay" or "incident" is reported