The 'Location' custom field is used to capture a location in a field, either as a street address or as a set of coordinates. The location is identified with a pin on the map and a location description in the field in the vWork mobile app.

The Location custom field is useful when mobile workers need to:

• record the specific location of a new or changed feature, e.g., a new tree planting or site hazard
• find the location of something they need to work on at an address for a job, e.g., a utility tower, manhole, or service meter.

In this article

This article explains how to use the Location custom field when using the vWork mobile app on iOS. If you use an Android device we have another article that explains how to use the Location custom field in Android; see the article, Android: Using the Location custom field.

If you would like to find out how to use the Location custom field in the web app please read the article, Add and view Location custom fields in jobs

Topics in this article include:

• iOS settings to make the best use of the Location custom field
• View a location saved in a Location custom field
• Save a location in a Location custom field
• Search for a location using the Location custom field

Click a link from the topic list above to go directly to it. To return to this topic list, click this icon:

iOS settings to make the best use of the Location custom field

• For the Location field to work correctly in the mobile app, make sure you allow vWork to access your location while you are using the app. This is set up in your phone’s settings under the location permissions for the vWork app.
  
  
  
  
• Your iOS device must run at least version 10.20 of the vWork mobile app. We recommend you always run the latest version of vWork on your mobile device to get the best performance from the app.
  
  
• Using location tracking on a mobile device can consume a lot of power. We recommend you have a method to top up your device’s battery while in the field.
  

View a location saved in a Location custom field

The dispatcher may save a street address or latitude and longitude coordinates in a Location field to help you find the exact location required to complete a step. This is often a more specific location than what is shown in the step address.

In this example, we want to find a tree to prune.

To view a location saved in a Location field:

1. From the Jobs list in iOS tap the job to open the job’s 'Details'.
   
   
2. Tap Fields to show the fields for the job.
   
   
   
   
3. Tap in the 'Location' field to see the location on the map.
   
   💡 Tip: you may need to tap to expand a section that the Location field is saved in to see it. 
   
   In this example, the label for the Location field is Feature tree 1 location. This has the location of a tree that needs pruning.
   
   
   
   
4. The map opens and shows the location in a zoomed-out standard view.
   
   
   
   
5. Use two fingers to pinch and zoom in closer if required. You can also change the view to satellite to see more detail.
   
   ❗Caution: if you tap the pin icon on the map and tap elsewhere the pin will move. This will update the location in the field. You can’t revert the location back to the original location saved in the field.
   
   

Save a location in a Location custom field

When the Location field is empty you are able to save a new location in it. 

To save a location in the Location field:

1. From the Jobs list in the iOS app tap the job to open the job’s 'Details'.
   
   
2. Tap the Fields menu to show the fields for the job.
   
   
3. Tap in the Location field to open the Map.
   
   In this example, the Location field is labeled Plant Locations 1. We have planted some new shrubbery and are going to save the location of the new plants in this field.
   
   
   
   
4. The Map shows your current location in a zoomed-out Standard view.
   
   
   
   
5. Use two fingers to pinch and zoom in closer. You can also change the view to satellite to see more detail.
   
   
   
   
6. Tap, hold and drag your finger on the map to move the crosshairs to the location you want to save.
   
   
7. When you have the crosshairs where you want them tap from the red banner to drop a pin and mark the location.
   
   
   
   
8. The view zooms out and shows the pin in the location where you dropped it. You can zoom in and tap the map to move the pin to a different location if it is not where you want it.
   
   ❗Caution: Zoom with caution - it is easy to accidentally move the pin and zoom out when you are attempting to zoom if you don’t touch the screen with two fingers at the same time.
   
   
   
   
9. Tap the Fields item to return to the 'Fields' screen. The location you have selected is saved in the Location field. It displays the nearest street address but if you click the field it will show the exact location that you selected on the Map.
   

Search for a location using the Location custom field

Sometimes you may need to search for a location to add it to a Location field. You can do this from within the Map that you open from the Location field.

To search for a location:

1. From the Jobs list in the iOS app tap the job to open the job’s Details.
   
   
2. Tap the Fields item to show the fields for the job.
   
   
3. Tap in the Location field to open the map. The map opens and shows your current location.
   
   In this example, the Location field is labeled Location 1. While mowing a sports field we found furniture dumped near one of the entrances to the field. We want to add a note for the dispatcher and let them know what the best access is to enable the removal of the furniture.
   
   
   
   
4. Tap the search banner and start typing the address that you want to search for.
   
   
   
   
5. As you type a list of search options displays. When you see the search option that best matches your search, tap it to select it.
   
   
   
   
6. A pin is dropped on the map at your chosen search location. You can zoom in and tap the Map to change the pin location if you want to. When you have the pin located where you want, tap the Fields item to return to the 'Fields' screen for this job.
   
   ❗Caution: Zoom with caution - it is easy to accidentally move the pin and zoom out when you are attempting to zoom if you don’t touch the screen with two fingers at the same time.
   
   
   
   
7. The location you have selected is saved in the Location field. It displays the nearest street address but if you click the field it will show the exact location that you selected on the Map.