This article is intended to help inspectors accurately record inspection results and avoid common issues when using FormLink in the field.
Browser & Device Guidelines
Follow these guidelines to ensure optimum performance when using FormLink on your device.
| Topic | ✅ Recommended | ❌ Not Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Internet Browser | Use a recent version of a modern mainstream browser: Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge (Chromium), or Safari on iOS. | Do not use other applications with built-in browser capabilities, such as the Google App, Amazon's Silk Browser, or the Android built-in browser. |
| Login Page URL | Always access FormLink using: https://palladium.formlinksystems.com. We recommend saving this as a bookmark for easier access, including in areas without internet. | Do not access the FormLink login page using the HTTP prefix. |
| Incognito / Private Mode | Always disable Private or Incognito mode on your device. Refer to your browser's Help or Settings for instructions. | Never use Private or Incognito mode. It significantly increases the risk of losing inspection reports. |
| Browser History & Cache | Leave browser history and cache intact at all times. | Never clear browser history or cache unless directed to do so by FormLink support. |
| Automatic Updates | Disable automatic updates on your device. Apply updates only after confirming all locations and forms have been uploaded to the server. | Do not allow automatic updates while forms or locations are still on the device. Some updates can clear browser storage and cause data loss. |
Inspector Guidelines for Completing Inspection Forms
Follow these guidelines when completing and submitting inspection forms in FormLink.
| Topic | ✅ Recommended | ❌ Not Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Saving Forms | Always use the Save button at the bottom of the form to save your work. | Do not use the browser Back button or back arrow to exit or save a form. Doing so may trigger a recovery prompt, but all attachments will be lost. |
| Exiting Forms | Always use the Cancel button at the bottom of the form to exit a page. | Do not use the browser Back button or back arrow to exit a form. All attachments will be lost if the form is not exited using the Cancel button. |
| Photo Attachments | Take all photos using your device's camera app and save them to your camera roll first. Then use Add Attachments to insert photos into the form. | Do not use Add Attachment to take a photo directly within FormLink. If the form is exited by any means other than the Save button, the image will not be saved. |
| Incomplete Forms | Incomplete forms must be fully completed before they can be uploaded. | The system will not upload incomplete forms. |
| Completed Forms | Upload completed forms as soon as reasonably possible using the Upload button on the Inspector Home page. This reduces the risk of losing reports if the device is lost, damaged, or the cache is cleared. | Do not store completed forms on your device for extended periods. Completed forms only exist on your device until they are uploaded to the server. |
| Inspector Accounts | Always complete inspection forms while logged in to an Inspector account. | Do not complete forms while logged in as an Admin. Admin accounts do not include the same data recovery features or the ability to save incomplete forms. |
| PDFs | Ensure all PDF attachments are flattened and unencrypted before attaching. | Do not attach PDFs that are encrypted or not flattened. Failure to meet these requirements can cause the form to fail during processing. |
| Browser Tabs | Use only one browser tab when working on an open form. | Do not open multiple tabs while working on a form. FormLink saves a recovery copy every 30 seconds, and multiple open tabs can overwrite that record, potentially causing data loss. |
| Report Issues | If you believe there is a problem with your inspection reports (e.g., missing from device, not uploading), contact FormLink support immediately by submitting a ticket or emailing support@formlinksystems.com. | Do not attempt to recover forms internally or change browser settings on your own. |
How to Recover an Unsaved Form
If you exit a form without saving, FormLink may be able to recover the data the next time you visit the login page.
⚠️ Important: Recovered forms will not include any attachments that were added before exiting. Always use the Save button to avoid data loss.
Step 1. Access the FormLink login page. If unsaved form data is detected, a recovery warning message will be displayed.
📌 Note: A recovery message may also appear if a form is open in another browser tab and you navigate to the login page from a different tab.
Step 2. Select Recover to restore the form data.
Step 3. Log in to FormLink. The recovered form will appear in the Incomplete Forms section on your Inspector Home page.
Step 4. Select the form to continue completing it.
Troubleshooting: Uploading Reports
When you select Upload from the Inspector Home page, FormLink processes uploads in the following order:
- All locations are uploaded first and removed from your device to ensure location data on the server is up to date (new assemblies, contact information, etc.).
- Completed forms are then uploaded to the server.
- If any incomplete forms remain on your device, the corresponding locations are automatically re-downloaded so those forms can still be accessed and completed.
📌 Note: If a form is on your device without its corresponding location, you will need to manually download the location before you can open and complete the form.