# Technical Docs **URL:** https://speciforum.org/c/docs/tech-docs/83.md [Latest](https://speciforum.org/latest.md) · [Categories](https://speciforum.org/categories.md) · [Tags](https://speciforum.org/tags.md) --- ## [About the Technical Docs category](https://speciforum.org/t/about-the-technical-docs-category/2606)
**Author:** [@Grant](https://speciforum.org/u/Grant)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [June 6, 2025, 10:43pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/about-the-technical-docs-category/2606 "2025-06-06T22:43:21Z")
This is the home for technical documentation relevant to developers, API interactions, and advanced database actions. --- ## [Specify Web Portal: Updating the Google Maps API Key](https://speciforum.org/t/specify-web-portal-updating-the-google-maps-api-key/4266)
**Author:** [@Grant](https://speciforum.org/u/Grant)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [October 1, 2026, 3:13am UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/specify-web-portal-updating-the-google-maps-api-key/4266 "2026-10-01T03:13:09Z")
If you are self-hosting the Specify Web Portal, you need to create a new Google Maps API key to gain access to the full coordinate mapping experience. 1. Create or update the Google Cloud key In the Google Cloud project… --- ## [Webinar: Working with APIs in Specify](https://speciforum.org/t/webinar-working-with-apis-in-specify/3849)
**Author:** [@lexiclevenger6](https://speciforum.org/u/lexiclevenger6)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [August 15, 2026, 4:24am UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/webinar-working-with-apis-in-specify/3849 "2026-08-15T04:24:19Z")
Working with APIs in Specify Introduction Working with APIs in Specify Introduction Transcript Working With APIs Part 1 Transcript.vtt (72.2 KB) The first session of our two‑part webinar series introduced… --- ## [Guide to contributing code to Specify](https://speciforum.org/t/guide-to-contributing-code-to-specify/3511)
**Author:** [@system](https://speciforum.org/u/system)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [April 8, 2026, 7:29pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/guide-to-contributing-code-to-specify/3511 "2026-04-08T19:29:43Z")
Thank you for the interest in contributing to Specify’s codebase! We welcome contributions of all kinds, including bug fixes, improvements, documentation, etc. We value contributions from all members of the community, r… --- ## [WorkBench Technical Breakdown](https://speciforum.org/t/workbench-technical-breakdown/2610)
**Author:** [@maxpatiiuk](https://speciforum.org/u/maxpatiiuk)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 10, 2026, 2:56pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/workbench-technical-breakdown/2610 "2026-07-10T14:56:54Z")
:book: This guide describes the concepts, behavior, basic and advanced parameters of the WorkBench. The document includes a hands-on, structured walk-through for demonstration and training utilizing a public Specify 7 e… --- ## [Specify Table Names and Descriptions](https://speciforum.org/t/specify-table-names-and-descriptions/3609)
**Author:** [@Grant](https://speciforum.org/u/Grant)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2026, 8:28am UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/specify-table-names-and-descriptions/3609 "2026-06-24T08:28:12Z")
:book: This topic describes the database table names and descriptions in Specify. Each table name is clickable and will bring you to the demo instance data model viewer. If you have any questions, feel free to send a … --- ## [How to Create a Full Database Backup in Specify](https://speciforum.org/t/how-to-create-a-full-database-backup-in-specify/2798)
**Author:** [@Grant](https://speciforum.org/u/Grant)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 26, 2025, 4:20pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/how-to-create-a-full-database-backup-in-specify/2798 "2025-09-26T16:20:00Z")
:book: This guide explains how authorized users can generate and download a full snapshot of their database directly from the Specify 7 interface. It covers granting backup permissions to specific users, initiating the … --- ## [How to Secure a Self-Hosted Specify 7 Environment](https://speciforum.org/t/how-to-secure-a-self-hosted-specify-7-environment/3665)
**Author:** [@Grant](https://speciforum.org/u/Grant)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [May 27, 2026, 2:25pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/how-to-secure-a-self-hosted-specify-7-environment/3665 "2026-05-27T14:25:03Z")
:gear: This guide provides a practical security baseline for institutions managing an internet-accessible production deployment. It covers host security, TLS/HTTPS, Django security settings, and ongoing operations. Re… --- ## [Execute saved queries via the Specify API](https://speciforum.org/t/execute-saved-queries-via-the-specify-api/3656)
**Author:** [@Grant](https://speciforum.org/u/Grant)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2026, 4:18pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/execute-saved-queries-via-the-specify-api/3656 "2026-05-22T16:18:00Z")
:gear: This guide is for developers and technically-minded users who want to retrieve saved query results from Specify programmatically. If you’ve built and saved a query in Specify’s Query Builder, you can run it dir… --- ## [Integrating a Custom DAM System with Specify](https://speciforum.org/t/integrating-a-custom-dam-system-with-specify/3642)
**Author:** [@Grant](https://speciforum.org/u/Grant)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [May 19, 2026, 5:27pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/integrating-a-custom-dam-system-with-specify/3642 "2026-05-19T17:27:45Z")
:gear: This guide is for technical and IT users who want to integrate an existing or developing Digital Asset Management (DAM) system with Specify. If your institution uses a custom Digital Asset Management (DAM) syst… --- ## [Fix Missing Resources in a Specify Database](https://speciforum.org/t/fix-missing-resources-in-a-specify-database/3599)
**Author:** [@Grant](https://speciforum.org/u/Grant)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2026, 4:46pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/fix-missing-resources-in-a-specify-database/3599 "2026-05-08T16:46:00Z")
:gear: This guide offers solutions for users facing trouble with their database being in an inconsistent state due to historical migrations or manual changes. \[!warning\] This guide is for IT Administrators. This doc… --- ## [Remote Access Procedure for Specify Cloud](https://speciforum.org/t/remote-access-procedure-for-specify-cloud/654)
**Author:** [@Grant](https://speciforum.org/u/Grant)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [June 4, 2025, 5:00am UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/remote-access-procedure-for-specify-cloud/654 "2025-06-04T05:00:00Z")
:book: This guide describes how to remotely access a Specify Cloud database to perform direct database backups, restores, execute SQL scripts, and connect using the Specify 6 client if necessary. :gear: Intended for te… --- ## [Customizing the splash screen](https://speciforum.org/t/customizing-the-splash-screen/2604)
**Author:** [@Grant](https://speciforum.org/u/Grant)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2026, 3:42pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/customizing-the-splash-screen/2604 "2026-01-14T15:42:18Z")
\[!info\] Originally written by @maxpatiiuk, edited last on Apr 28, 2022 Since Specify version 7.7, splash screen can be customized in user preferences. Among available options are displaying a custom image or an embe… --- ## [Export All Collections Data to CSV](https://speciforum.org/t/export-all-collections-data-to-csv/3146)
**Author:** [@lexiclevenger6](https://speciforum.org/u/lexiclevenger6)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [November 20, 2025, 3:13pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/export-all-collections-data-to-csv/3146 "2025-11-20T15:13:00Z")
:book: This guide walks through how to export all collections data from a Specify database. To perform a full backup with all records included, see How to Create a Full Database Backup in Specify. Export All Collectio… --- ## [Find All Columns/Fields with Data in a Specify database](https://speciforum.org/t/find-all-columns-fields-with-data-in-a-specify-database/3122)
**Author:** [@Grant](https://speciforum.org/u/Grant)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2025, 8:28pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/find-all-columns-fields-with-data-in-a-specify-database/3122 "2025-11-18T20:28:00Z")
:book: This guide describes how to find all fields containing data in a Specify database using a SQL script run behind-the-scenes by an IT administrator. \[!danger\] Read Me First These steps should only be performed … --- ## [Linking Attachments via SQL](https://speciforum.org/t/linking-attachments-via-sql/3094)
**Author:** [@Grant](https://speciforum.org/u/Grant)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2025, 6:22pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/linking-attachments-via-sql/3094 "2025-10-29T18:22:45Z")
:book: This guide is for those who need to perform a large-scale import of attachments and have access (or a colleague with access) to the server backend. See also: Uploading Attachments via API Recap: How Specify Li… --- ## [Adding custom fonts to the Report Runner](https://speciforum.org/t/adding-custom-fonts-to-the-report-runner/2809)
**Author:** [@Grant](https://speciforum.org/u/Grant)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2025, 4:01pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/adding-custom-fonts-to-the-report-runner/2809 "2025-08-28T16:01:59Z")
:book: This guide provides step-by-step instructions on how to add custom fonts to the Report Runner using Jaspersoft Studio. By default, the Specify Report Runner Service has only a few fonts built-in (SansSerif, Ser… --- ## [Accounts Used to Setup and Administrate Specify Databases](https://speciforum.org/t/accounts-used-to-setup-and-administrate-specify-databases/1347)
**Author:** [@Grant](https://speciforum.org/u/Grant)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [October 5, 2023, 4:10pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/accounts-used-to-setup-and-administrate-specify-databases/1347 "2023-10-05T16:10:39Z")
:book: This guide describes the administrative accounts for Specify installations. :gear: This guide is intended for technical or IT users only. Root (“Specify IT User”) Account The root account is required within … --- ## [WorkBench, Batch Edit, or Merging Stuck?](https://speciforum.org/t/workbench-batch-edit-or-merging-stuck/2889)
**Author:** [@Grant](https://speciforum.org/u/Grant)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 2025, 1:52pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/workbench-batch-edit-or-merging-stuck/2889 "2025-09-16T13:52:45Z")
:book: This guide explains the likely reason why a data set might be stuck on validation, provides the steps to take to fix it, and explains how the message is not usually a problem with your dataset or Specify itself. … --- ## [Manually delete a user](https://speciforum.org/t/manually-delete-a-user/2850)
**Author:** [@alexis.beck](https://speciforum.org/u/alexis.beck)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2025, 4:22pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/manually-delete-a-user/2850 "2025-09-10T16:22:49Z")
Hi, I was not able to delete some users from Specify 7 interface (delete button). There was indeed some linked tables that were not properly removed or not in the right order. I think it was mainly old depencies from SP… --- ## [Using the Support Login Feature](https://speciforum.org/t/using-the-support-login-feature/2838)
**Author:** [@Grant](https://speciforum.org/u/Grant)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 5, 2025, 9:10pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/using-the-support-login-feature/2838 "2025-09-05T21:10:45Z")
:book: This guide explains how to use the support\_login management command, a secure feature intended for system administrators to gain temporary, one-time access to a user’s account for troubleshooting purposes. Ena… --- ## [How does Specify 7 work with the Web Asset Server?](https://speciforum.org/t/how-does-specify-7-work-with-the-web-asset-server/2817)
**Author:** [@Grant](https://speciforum.org/u/Grant)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 2, 2025, 5:48pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/how-does-specify-7-work-with-the-web-asset-server/2817 "2025-09-02T17:48:44Z")
:book: This article describes how attachments in Specify are linked to attachments on the Web Asset Server. Linking an Attachment to the Source When an attachment is uploaded to Specify, it is added to the database a… --- ## [Specify 7 Architecture Overview](https://speciforum.org/t/specify-7-architecture-overview/2590)
**Author:** [@Grant](https://speciforum.org/u/Grant)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [June 5, 2025, 12:06am UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/specify-7-architecture-overview/2590 "2025-06-05T00:06:51Z")
:book: This guide provides a brief overview of the Specify 7 architecture, lists the system features, and includes a diagram of the system architecture. Specify 7 is an open-source, modular platform for managing biolo… --- ## [Specify 7 Recommended Server Specifications](https://speciforum.org/t/specify-7-recommended-server-specifications/2334)
**Author:** [@Grant](https://speciforum.org/u/Grant)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [February 11, 2025, 7:40pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/specify-7-recommended-server-specifications/2334 "2025-02-11T19:40:17Z")
:book: This guide outlines the minimum required server specifications if you are planning on self-hosting Specify 7. \[!warning\] This guide is for IT staff only. If you are a collection manager or staff member intere… --- ## [How to use the Specify 7 API](https://speciforum.org/t/how-to-use-the-specify-7-api/181)
**Author:** [@Grant](https://speciforum.org/u/Grant)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [December 3, 2024, 12:08am UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/how-to-use-the-specify-7-api/181 "2024-12-03T00:08:12Z")
:open\_book: The guide explains how to use and access APIs in Specify. This is a simple introduction to accessing the Specify API using the curl command line utility. For legibility, JSON output is piped through a pr… --- ## [Uploading Attachments via API](https://speciforum.org/t/uploading-attachments-via-api/2605)
**Author:** [@vinayakjha](https://speciforum.org/u/vinayakjha)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [June 6, 2024, 5:00am UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/uploading-attachments-via-api/2605 "2024-06-06T05:00:00Z")
:book: This guide provides steps that outline how to upload attachments via the API for a new collection object resource and for an existing resource at the end. It also provides code snippets for Node.js throughout. A… --- ## [Show attachment URLs in queries and when data exporting](https://speciforum.org/t/show-attachment-urls-in-queries-and-when-data-exporting/1212)
**Author:** [@Grant](https://speciforum.org/u/Grant)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [June 17, 2023, 5:10pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/show-attachment-urls-in-queries-and-when-data-exporting/1212 "2023-06-17T17:10:16Z")
:book: This guide walks through how to configure Specify so that you can export Collection Object Attachment URLs from your Specify Attachment/Asset Server that can link to your images when sharing data internally or w… --- ## [Technical Docs for the Web Asset Server (Attachment Server)](https://speciforum.org/t/technical-docs-for-the-web-asset-server-attachment-server/657)
**Author:** [@Grant](https://speciforum.org/u/Grant)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 4, 2023, 2:26pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/technical-docs-for-the-web-asset-server-attachment-server/657 "2023-04-04T14:26:51Z")
:book: This guide explains the technical documentation for the Web Asset Server and provides instructions for installation. \[!help\] Looking for user documentation? See our article on the Specify Web Asset Server (At… --- ## [Darwin Core Archive Publishing](https://speciforum.org/t/darwin-core-archive-publishing/2609)
**Author:** [@benanhalt](https://speciforum.org/u/benanhalt)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 28, 2018, 5:00am UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/darwin-core-archive-publishing/2609 "2018-09-28T05:00:00Z")
Darwin Core Archive Publishing in Specify 7 Specify 7 is capable of exporting collections data in the Darwin Core Archive format. This capability expands on the existing Specify 6 functionality by supporting extensions t…