# Configuration & Installation **URL:** https://speciforum.org/c/docs/sp6-install-config/49.md [Latest](https://speciforum.org/latest.md) · [Categories](https://speciforum.org/categories.md) · [Tags](https://speciforum.org/tags.md) --- ## [Self-Hosting Specify 7](https://speciforum.org/t/self-hosting-specify-7/2591)
**Author:** [@jason\_m](https://speciforum.org/u/jason_m)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [June 5, 2025, 2:55am UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/self-hosting-specify-7/2591 "2025-06-05T02:55:30Z")
:book: This guide describes how to self-host an environment of Specify 7. :gear: This guide is intended for technical or IT users only. \[!info\] :thought\_balloon: Before you begin, consider that the Specify Collect… --- ## [Specify 7 Installation Instructions](https://speciforum.org/t/specify-7-installation-instructions/755)
**Author:** [@Grant](https://speciforum.org/u/Grant)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [May 6, 2025, 5:00am UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/specify-7-installation-instructions/755 "2025-05-06T05:00:00Z")
:open\_book: This guide provides a concise, up-to-date overview for installing and running Specify 7 using the compose recipes in this repository (Docker and Podman). :gear: These instructions should be followed by an I… --- ## [Exporting & Publishing Data using Darwin Core (DwC-A) (GBIF, iDigBio, etc.)](https://speciforum.org/t/exporting-publishing-data-using-darwin-core-dwc-a-gbif-idigbio-etc/568)
**Author:** [@Grant](https://speciforum.org/u/Grant)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [February 5, 2025, 6:00am UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/exporting-publishing-data-using-darwin-core-dwc-a-gbif-idigbio-etc/568 "2025-02-05T06:00:00Z")
:book: This guide explains how to export Specify data to the Darwin Core Archive (DwC-A) format and how to set up an RSS feed for regular data retrieval by aggregators. :open\_book: Introduction to Data Publishing Publ… --- ## [Create a Web Portal Mapping in Specify 7](https://speciforum.org/t/create-a-web-portal-mapping-in-specify-7/4097)
**Author:** [@lexiclevenger6](https://speciforum.org/u/lexiclevenger6)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [August 26, 2026, 6:17pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/create-a-web-portal-mapping-in-specify-7/4097 "2026-08-26T18:17:40Z")
:open\_book: This guide explains how to create a query compatible with a Specify Web Portal before using the Web Portal export feature. To learn how to use the export feature, see the article Export to Web Portal. Crea… --- ## [Security and Accounts](https://speciforum.org/t/security-and-accounts/539)
**Author:** [@Grant](https://speciforum.org/u/Grant)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [July 12, 2022, 9:22pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/security-and-accounts/539 "2022-07-12T21:22:28Z")
:open\_book: This guide covers the Security and Accounts system and explains how to define user roles and assign them. \[!caution\] Before You Begin It is highly advised that you read and understand Specify Institution… --- ## [Specify's Organizational Model and User Accounts for Multiple Collections](https://speciforum.org/t/specifys-organizational-model-and-user-accounts-for-multiple-collections/656)
**Author:** [@Grant](https://speciforum.org/u/Grant)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2025, 6:00am UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/specifys-organizational-model-and-user-accounts-for-multiple-collections/656 "2025-11-05T06:00:00Z")
:book: This guide explains how data is shared across collections and how to access data from different collections. It breaks down different user scenarios, explains what permissions they might have, and describes what … --- ## [Collection Relationship Subviews: Linking Objects Within the Same Collection](https://speciforum.org/t/collection-relationship-subviews-linking-objects-within-the-same-collection/3793)
**Author:** [@bronwyn](https://speciforum.org/u/bronwyn)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2026, 6:56pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/collection-relationship-subviews-linking-objects-within-the-same-collection/3793 "2026-06-24T18:56:10Z")
:open\_book: This guide explains how to configure a subview-based layout for Collection Relationships that link Collection Objects within the same collection. What Are Collection Relationships? Collection relationships… --- ## [How to Update Your RSS Feed](https://speciforum.org/t/how-to-update-your-rss-feed/567)
**Author:** [@Grant](https://speciforum.org/u/Grant)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [July 25, 2022, 3:14pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/how-to-update-your-rss-feed/567 "2022-07-25T15:14:32Z")
:open\_book: This guide shows how to update your RSS feed from within Specify 7. Read First To do this successfully, you first must have the following app resources configured: ExportFeed DwCA export mapping DwCA exp… --- ## [Catalog Number Regular Expression Formatter Set Up](https://speciforum.org/t/catalog-number-regular-expression-formatter-set-up/766)
**Author:** [@Grant](https://speciforum.org/u/Grant)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [March 27, 2025, 5:00am UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/catalog-number-regular-expression-formatter-set-up/766 "2025-03-27T05:00:00Z")
:book: This guide explains how to set up a Regular Expression for a Catalog Number format and provides an example of a Regular Expression for the Accession Number. Regular Expressions in Field Formats UI Formatters ca… --- ## [Migrate Determiners to the 'Determiner' table](https://speciforum.org/t/migrate-determiners-to-the-determiner-table/843)
**Author:** [@Grant](https://speciforum.org/u/Grant)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [November 2, 2022, 9:49pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/migrate-determiners-to-the-determiner-table/843 "2022-11-02T21:49:08Z")
:book: This guide provides the commands to move all determiners from the determination table into the determiner table for all records in the database. \[!Important\] These steps can and should only be performed by IT… --- ## [Enable Debug Mode in Specify 7](https://speciforum.org/t/enable-debug-mode-in-specify-7/950)
**Author:** [@Grant](https://speciforum.org/u/Grant)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2022, 8:57pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/enable-debug-mode-in-specify-7/950 "2022-12-23T20:57:31Z")
:book: This guide explains how to setup a dev version of Specify 7 with Docker– Docker Workflow for Development · specify/specify7 Wiki · GitHub for debugging and development purposes. If you are using a traditional d… --- ## [Add a catalog number uniqueness requirement at the database level](https://speciforum.org/t/add-a-catalog-number-uniqueness-requirement-at-the-database-level/2442)
**Author:** [@bronwyn](https://speciforum.org/u/bronwyn)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [March 27, 2025, 6:15pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/add-a-catalog-number-uniqueness-requirement-at-the-database-level/2442 "2025-03-27T18:15:04Z")
:book: This guide explains how to reinstate catalog number uniqueness in Specify 6 if Specify 7 is run on version 7.10 or later and you depend on and utilize catalog number uniqueness in Specify 6. \[!warning\] Importa… --- ## [App Resources](https://speciforum.org/t/app-resources/582)
**Author:** [@Grant](https://speciforum.org/u/Grant)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [August 1, 2022, 8:49pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/app-resources/582 "2022-08-01T20:49:27Z")
:book: This guide details how to manage App Resources, which are the configuration files stored within the Specify database that control various behaviors of the application. It helps with the different types of resourc… --- ## [Creating & Using Pick Lists](https://speciforum.org/t/creating-using-pick-lists/1161)
**Author:** [@Grant](https://speciforum.org/u/Grant)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [May 9, 2023, 1:40am UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/creating-using-pick-lists/1161 "2023-05-09T01:40:37Z")
:book: This guide explains what pick lists are, how to create one, and how to assign one to a field. What are Pick Lists? Any field in which data is limited to a controlled vocabulary is called a Pick List. For exampl… --- ## [Edit the Query Combo Box Simple Search Form](https://speciforum.org/t/edit-the-query-combo-box-simple-search-form/1312)
**Author:** [@Grant](https://speciforum.org/u/Grant)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 2023, 2:36am UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/edit-the-query-combo-box-simple-search-form/1312 "2023-09-16T02:36:04Z")
:book: This guide explains how to edit and add additional fields to the Query Combobox search form. It uses an example of adding the latitude1 and longitude1 fields to the Locality search form. Download a copy of th… --- ## [Specify Web Asset Server (Attachment Server)](https://speciforum.org/t/specify-web-asset-server-attachment-server/715)
**Author:** [@Grant](https://speciforum.org/u/Grant)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2022, 2:12am UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/specify-web-asset-server-attachment-server/715 "2022-09-08T02:12:45Z")
:book: This guide briefly explains what the Specify Web Asset Server is and provides links to other relevant documentation on Attachments and the Web Asset Server itself. Attachment files in Specify are not stored … --- ## [How to Duplicate a Report or Label](https://speciforum.org/t/how-to-duplicate-a-report-or-label/799)
**Author:** [@Grant](https://speciforum.org/u/Grant)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [October 6, 2022, 1:37pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/how-to-duplicate-a-report-or-label/799 "2022-10-06T13:37:25Z")
:book: This guide provides a step-by-step walk through on how to duplicate a report or label. Being able to duplicate a single report or label is useful for testing purposes and allows you to make modifications to an … --- ## [Search Specify in your browser's search bar](https://speciforum.org/t/search-specify-in-your-browsers-search-bar/1087)
**Author:** [@Grant](https://speciforum.org/u/Grant)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [January 9, 2024, 9:25pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/search-specify-in-your-browsers-search-bar/1087 "2024-01-09T21:25:45Z")
:book: This guide shows how you can search your Specify 7 instance from your URL bar. This tutorial is using Firefox, so the instructions may differ based on your browser. Click on the URL bar when you are anywher… --- ## [Enable Dark Mode](https://speciforum.org/t/enable-dark-mode/541)
**Author:** [@Grant](https://speciforum.org/u/Grant)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2022, 6:01pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/enable-dark-mode/541 "2022-07-13T18:01:26Z")
:book: This guide explains how to enable dark mode and how to customize the color scheme for both light and dark mode. In the User Preferences panel, you can change the theme by selecting an option from the pick list. … --- ## [How to Change or Add a Field Format](https://speciforum.org/t/how-to-change-or-add-a-field-format/3063)
**Author:** [@Grant](https://speciforum.org/u/Grant)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [October 20, 2025, 8:20pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/how-to-change-or-add-a-field-format/3063 "2025-10-20T20:20:10Z")
:book: This guide explains what field formats are and how to create, edit, and apply them to fields. In Specify, you can configure something called a field format, which simply means a structured input format assigned… --- ## [Send a Backup to Specify](https://speciforum.org/t/send-a-backup-to-specify/767)
**Author:** [@Grant](https://speciforum.org/u/Grant)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [June 14, 2025, 5:00am UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/send-a-backup-to-specify/767 "2025-06-14T05:00:00Z")
:book: This guide explains how to create a complete backup of your database and how to send it to the SCC support team. Specify Backup In Specify 7.11.2 or later, authorized users can create a full backup of their … --- ## [Specify Institutional Scopings](https://speciforum.org/t/specify-institutional-scopings/1046)
**Author:** [@Grant](https://speciforum.org/u/Grant)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2023, 7:52pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/specify-institutional-scopings/1046 "2023-02-14T19:52:58Z")
:book: This guide explains how institutions are scoped in Specify. It provides an example collection hierarchy, the table scoping hierarchy, and explains the pros and cons of one collection vs. multiple collections. S… --- ## [Collection Preferences](https://speciforum.org/t/collection-preferences/3281)
**Author:** [@Grant](https://speciforum.org/u/Grant)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [April 10, 2026, 2:56pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/collection-preferences/3281 "2026-04-10T14:56:00Z")
:book: This guide explains the preferences available at the collection-level that can be customized by collection administrators. Collection Preferences allows collection administrators to manage settings that affect … --- ## [User Preferences](https://speciforum.org/t/user-preferences/3283)
**Author:** [@Grant](https://speciforum.org/u/Grant)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2026, 8:56pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/user-preferences/3283 "2026-01-16T20:56:33Z")
:book: This guide explains the preferences available at the user-level that can be customized by all users with adequate permission. User Preferences lets each user tailor the interface, behavior, and data-entry exper… --- ## [Transitioning from Specify Cloud to a Self-Hosted Specify 7 Environment](https://speciforum.org/t/transitioning-from-specify-cloud-to-a-self-hosted-specify-7-environment/2629)
**Author:** [@system](https://speciforum.org/u/system)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [June 12, 2025, 9:47pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/transitioning-from-specify-cloud-to-a-self-hosted-specify-7-environment/2629 "2025-06-12T21:47:45Z")
Transitioning from Specify Cloud to a Self-Hosted Specify 7 Environment This outline describes the process steps for moving Specify databases from a SCC-managed cloud service (usually Amazon Web Services) to servers at y… --- ## [Customizing Statistics](https://speciforum.org/t/customizing-statistics/1242)
**Author:** [@bronwyn](https://speciforum.org/u/bronwyn)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [July 25, 2023, 2:21pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/customizing-statistics/1242 "2023-07-25T14:21:56Z")
:book: This guide explains how you can customize statistics by changing the page refresh time and change preparations to lots/total system in app resources. To customize statistics head to User Tools, click on Collect… --- ## [System Configuration Tool](https://speciforum.org/t/system-configuration-tool/3284)
**Author:** [@Grant](https://speciforum.org/u/Grant)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [April 10, 2026, 2:45pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/system-configuration-tool/3284 "2026-04-10T14:45:00Z")
:book: This guide explores how to use the System Config tool to view and manage the top-level hierarchy of your institution (Institution → Division → Discipline → Collection). If you are starting completely from scratc… --- ## [Webinar: Towards a Single Natural History Museum & Nationwide Mass Digitization](https://speciforum.org/t/webinar-towards-a-single-natural-history-museum-nationwide-mass-digitization/3486)
**Author:** [@SpecifyMembership](https://speciforum.org/u/SpecifyMembership)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [April 1, 2026, 8:48pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/webinar-towards-a-single-natural-history-museum-nationwide-mass-digitization/3486 "2026-04-01T20:48:01Z")
Presented by Fedor Alexander Steeman, The Natural History Museum, Denmark (NHMD) in Copenhagen, as part of the Specify Institutional Implementation Series. The Natural History Museum, Denmark (NHMD) in Cop… --- ## [Convert a Specify database to UTF-8](https://speciforum.org/t/convert-a-specify-database-to-utf-8/3467)
**Author:** [@jason\_m](https://speciforum.org/u/jason_m)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2026, 8:53pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/convert-a-specify-database-to-utf-8/3467 "2026-03-24T20:53:29Z")
:light\_bulb: While this guide walks through and explains the processes involved with inspecting and changing character encoding within a MariaDB database, a basic familiarity with database management and character enco… --- ## [Webinar: Supporting a Large Userbase in Specify Recording](https://speciforum.org/t/webinar-supporting-a-large-userbase-in-specify-recording/3422)
**Author:** [@SpecifyMembership](https://speciforum.org/u/SpecifyMembership)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2026, 8:15am UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/webinar-supporting-a-large-userbase-in-specify-recording/3422 "2026-03-09T08:15:48Z")
Presented by Dr. Dan Baker, NRCA CMS Data Manager and Zoe Warner, NRCA CMS Data Manager, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation With over 150 active users across four instances of Spe… [Next page](https://speciforum.org/c/docs/sp6-install-config/49.md?page=1)