# Latest **URL:** https://speciforum.org/latest.md [Latest](https://speciforum.org/latest.md) · [Categories](https://speciforum.org/categories.md) · [Tags](https://speciforum.org/tags.md) --- ## [Getting Started with Specify](https://speciforum.org/t/getting-started-with-specify/996)
**Author:** [@Grant](https://speciforum.org/u/Grant)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [June 5, 2025, 5:00am UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/getting-started-with-specify/996 "2025-06-05T05:00:00Z")
Table of Contents \[!abstract\] About This Page This page defines the content available in the Documentation sidebar shown to your left. If you do not see it, you can expand it by clicking on the :hamburger\_: (three li… --- ## [About Specify](https://speciforum.org/t/about-specify/943)
**Author:** [@Grant](https://speciforum.org/u/Grant)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2023, 5:00am UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/about-specify/943 "2023-09-08T05:00:00Z")
What is the Specify Collections Consortium? The Specify Collections Consortium (SCC), founded in 2018, is a collaborative, open-source software community of engaged collection institutions with a vision to advance rese… --- ## [The Specify 7 WorkBench](https://speciforum.org/t/the-specify-7-workbench/540)
**Author:** [@Grant](https://speciforum.org/u/Grant)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [February 7, 2025, 6:00am UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/the-specify-7-workbench/540 "2025-02-07T06:00:00Z")
:open\_book: This guide explains how to create a WorkBench Data Set, map its columns to Specify fields, validate the data, review the expected results, and upload records into a collection. It also covers grid editing,… --- ## [Batch Attachment Uploader](https://speciforum.org/t/batch-attachment-uploader/1374)
**Author:** [@Grant](https://speciforum.org/u/Grant)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [April 9, 2025, 6:32pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/batch-attachment-uploader/1374 "2025-04-09T18:32:56Z")
:book: This guide explains how to use the Batch Attachment Uploader to bulk upload attachments (files) to existing records. It covers the two available matching modes, Match by Filename and Match by Mapping File, the pe… --- ## [To-many Batch Attachment Uploading](https://speciforum.org/t/to-many-batch-attachment-uploading/4301)
**Author:** [@chrisGNM](https://speciforum.org/u/chrisGNM)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [October 13, 2026, 9:43am UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/to-many-batch-attachment-uploading/4301 "2026-10-13T09:43:37Z")
We are in the progress of importing images via a csv mapping file. The mapping includes one to one relations, multiple files to one catNbr, but also one file to multiple catNbrs. I see that the latter disappears in the b… --- ## [Accession scoped Institution level](https://speciforum.org/t/accession-scoped-institution-level/4285)
**Author:** [@Anna](https://speciforum.org/u/Anna)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2026, 10:16am UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/accession-scoped-institution-level/4285 "2026-10-08T10:16:31Z")
Specify 7 Version: v7.12.1.1 Hi, Could you please let me know how to configure the Accession table so that it is scoped at the Institution level rather than at the Discipline level? Thank you! Anna --- ## [View the Specify Schema & Data Model](https://speciforum.org/t/view-the-specify-schema-data-model/273)
**Author:** [@Grant](https://speciforum.org/u/Grant)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2025, 4:30pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/view-the-specify-schema-data-model/273 "2025-10-17T16:30:29Z")
In general, a database schema refers to the logical structure of a database, which defines how data is organized, stored, and accessed in a database system. The Specify database schema defines the tables, fields, relati… --- ## [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… --- ## [Google Earth Map on WebPortal](https://speciforum.org/t/google-earth-map-on-webportal/4257)
**Author:** [@vanessadelnavaz](https://speciforum.org/u/vanessadelnavaz)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [October 1, 2026, 2:54am UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/google-earth-map-on-webportal/4257 "2026-10-01T02:54:26Z")
We have noticed that the map feature in our WebPortal comes up with an error message saying ‘This page can’t load Google Maps correctly’, and the map then has the message ‘For development purposes only’. Does anyone else… --- ## [CO Query Returns Same Values for Taxon and Preferred Taxon Fields](https://speciforum.org/t/co-query-returns-same-values-for-taxon-and-preferred-taxon-fields/4245)
**Author:** [@emd0083](https://speciforum.org/u/emd0083)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [September 30, 2026, 10:33pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/co-query-returns-same-values-for-taxon-and-preferred-taxon-fields/4245 "2026-09-30T22:33:56Z")
I’m seeing what appears to be unexpected behavior from the Query Builder when returning both Taxon and Preferred Taxon values in the same query. For example, Villosa iris is a synonym of Cambarunio iris as defined in my… --- ## [Add constant to Record Formatter](https://speciforum.org/t/add-constant-to-record-formatter/4150)
**Author:** [@fedoras](https://speciforum.org/u/fedoras)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [September 26, 2026, 1:52pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/add-constant-to-record-formatter/4150 "2026-09-26T13:52:07Z")
Why is it only possible to add fields to table formatter and separators, but no string constants? I had to hack the following solutions, mass-writing the closing parenthesis to the Text8 field, which is not an elegant no… --- ## [Locality Groups](https://speciforum.org/t/locality-groups/4199)
**Author:** [@bronwyn](https://speciforum.org/u/bronwyn)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 2026, 7:56pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/locality-groups/4199 "2026-09-16T19:56:06Z")
--- ## [Picklist scoping and syncing between collections](https://speciforum.org/t/picklist-scoping-and-syncing-between-collections/3197)
**Author:** [@nfshoobs](https://speciforum.org/u/nfshoobs)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 2026, 7:44pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/picklist-scoping-and-syncing-between-collections/3197 "2026-09-16T19:44:38Z")
Hey there, Following up on the discussion in this thread: Using Pick Lists in Other Collections I am curious to know – is there a way to automate the syncing of picklist values between collections? There are some pick… --- ## [Renaming fields in the Web Portal from Specify 7](https://speciforum.org/t/renaming-fields-in-the-web-portal-from-specify-7/4179)
**Author:** [@zoe.warner](https://speciforum.org/u/zoe.warner)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2026, 7:24am UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/renaming-fields-in-the-web-portal-from-specify-7/4179 "2026-09-14T07:24:52Z")
Hi Grant - this is great! Just confirming, in Specify6, you used to build a mapping for the portal, which let you rename the fields for public display - I assume if we still need to do that, we’ll need to keep using the … --- ## [Export to Web Portal](https://speciforum.org/t/export-to-web-portal/4022)
**Author:** [@Grant](https://speciforum.org/u/Grant)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2026, 2:40pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/export-to-web-portal/4022 "2026-08-28T14:40:00Z")
:open\_book: This guide details the Export to Web Portal feature, which lets you send a Query Builder result set to the web portal as a background export package. It explains how to run the export from Query Builder, wh… --- ## [Using Forms in Specify 7](https://speciforum.org/t/using-forms-in-specify-7/959)
**Author:** [@Grant](https://speciforum.org/u/Grant)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [December 29, 2022, 1:16pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/using-forms-in-specify-7/959 "2022-12-29T13:16:46Z")
:open\_book: This guide explains using and modifying of forms. It covers navigating records, using query combo boxes, managing subviews for one-to-many relationships, and utilizing the carry-forward and auto-numbering. T… --- ## [Mass deletion of duplicated records](https://speciforum.org/t/mass-deletion-of-duplicated-records/4165)
**Author:** [@Felixaad](https://speciforum.org/u/Felixaad)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2026, 3:27pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/mass-deletion-of-duplicated-records/4165 "2026-09-10T15:27:42Z")
I know the concept has been discussed historically on this forum in regards to deleting repeat entries, but I was curious if there has been any recent developments. :slight\_smile: Thank you! --- ## [Bulk Delete](https://speciforum.org/t/bulk-delete/4167)
**Author:** [@bronwyn](https://speciforum.org/u/bronwyn)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2026, 3:26pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/bulk-delete/4167 "2026-09-10T15:26:20Z")
Continuing the discussion from Mass deletion of duplicated records: I know the concept has been discussed historically on this forum in regards to deleting repeat entries, but I was curious if there has been any recent… --- ## [Loan form reports "No preparations were found" for CollectionObjects which do have loanable Preparations](https://speciforum.org/t/loan-form-reports-no-preparations-were-found-for-collectionobjects-which-do-have-loanable-preparations/4148)
**Author:** [@nfshoobs](https://speciforum.org/u/nfshoobs)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [September 9, 2026, 8:02pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/loan-form-reports-no-preparations-were-found-for-collectionobjects-which-do-have-loanable-preparations/4148 "2026-09-09T20:02:13Z")
Running Specify v7.12.0.6 Hopefully I’m just missing something here. In one of the Collections in my Specify instance, I cannot add Preparations to loans. When I try to enter Preps by catalog number, I get this error: … --- ## [Batchload from workbench not recognizing taxa in my taxon tree](https://speciforum.org/t/batchload-from-workbench-not-recognizing-taxa-in-my-taxon-tree/4156)
**Author:** [@acoconis](https://speciforum.org/u/acoconis)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2026, 5:41pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/batchload-from-workbench-not-recognizing-taxa-in-my-taxon-tree/4156 "2026-09-08T17:41:53Z")
I am trying to upload data using the workbench. When I map out my taxa to genus and species, sometimes it uploads it correctly to the taxon tree that I have configured, but sometimes it creates a completely new taxon cal… --- ## [Qualities and Competencies for SCC Board of Members Representatives](https://speciforum.org/t/qualities-and-competencies-for-scc-board-of-members-representatives/4154)
**Author:** [@SpecifyMembership](https://speciforum.org/u/SpecifyMembership)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2026, 9:25pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/qualities-and-competencies-for-scc-board-of-members-representatives/4154 "2026-09-04T21:25:02Z")
The Specify Collections Consortium (SCC) is a member-governed organization dedicated to the sustainability and advancement of the Specify software platform and advancing scientific research and innovation. The Board of … --- ## [User Tools Menu](https://speciforum.org/t/user-tools-menu/536)
**Author:** [@Grant](https://speciforum.org/u/Grant)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [July 12, 2022, 3:31am UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/user-tools-menu/536 "2022-07-12T03:31:39Z")
:book: This guide introduces the User Tools menu. It explains how to open the menu and breaks down the available options into key categories: User Account, Customization, Administrative Tools (Security, App Resources, a… --- ## [Specify 7 configurations help](https://speciforum.org/t/specify-7-configurations-help/4145)
**Author:** [@TshililoP](https://speciforum.org/u/TshililoP)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2026, 2:34pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/specify-7-configurations-help/4145 "2026-09-03T14:34:51Z")
Hi Team, We just recently upgraded from Specify 6 to Sp7 (v7.12.0.6) I have Institutional admin role assigned In Sp7 and my “User Tools” is missing the “Batch Identify” button, is that normal for this version or maybe … --- ## [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… --- ## [Containers Not Displaying Name Within Object Entry](https://speciforum.org/t/containers-not-displaying-name-within-object-entry/4108)
**Author:** [@Julian](https://speciforum.org/u/Julian)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2026, 6:00pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/containers-not-displaying-name-within-object-entry/4108 "2026-08-28T18:00:16Z")
Hello all. I have encountered an issue where in a collection object entry the name of the container the object is housed in is showing a “container #x” instead of our assigned name of the container. Instead to see the c… --- ## [List of users to be sorted alphabetically, rather than by AgentID](https://speciforum.org/t/list-of-users-to-be-sorted-alphabetically-rather-than-by-agentid/4081)
**Author:** [@rdrinkwater](https://speciforum.org/u/rdrinkwater)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2026, 5:22pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/list-of-users-to-be-sorted-alphabetically-rather-than-by-agentid/4081 "2026-08-28T17:22:33Z")
We are increasing the number of users who are utilising tools like the workbench to prepare and validate datasets for import via the workbench. They have permissions to validate, but the import step is being managed by a… --- ## [How to Update Specify 7](https://speciforum.org/t/how-to-update-specify-7/2475)
**Author:** [@Grant](https://speciforum.org/u/Grant)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [April 4, 2025, 5:12pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/how-to-update-specify-7/2475 "2025-04-04T17:12:54Z")
\[!note\] Before You Begin Consider that the Specify Collections Consortium (SCC) offers the Specify Cloud hosting service to members of the consortium. By choosing SCC’s Specify Cloud hosting, you get a fully managed S… --- ## [Trees in Specify](https://speciforum.org/t/trees-in-specify/534)
**Author:** [@Grant](https://speciforum.org/u/Grant)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [October 19, 2023, 2:33am UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/trees-in-specify/534 "2023-10-19T02:33:12Z")
:open\_book: This guide explains the hierarchical Tree structures to manage data like Taxon, Geography, and Storage. It covers navigating the Tree viewer, search for specific nodes, and critical data management such as … --- ## [Batch Identify](https://speciforum.org/t/batch-identify/3979)
**Author:** [@Grant](https://speciforum.org/u/Grant)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2026, 2:40pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/batch-identify/3979 "2026-08-28T14:40:00Z")
:open\_book: This guide details the Batch Identify feature, which provides a fast way to apply one determination to many Collection Objects at once. It explains how to select records by catalog number or Record Set, revi… --- ## [Using the Query Builder](https://speciforum.org/t/using-the-query-builder/289)
**Author:** [@Grant](https://speciforum.org/u/Grant)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2024, 10:36am UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/using-the-query-builder/289 "2024-05-14T10:36:30Z")
:open\_book: This guide details the Query Builder, a tool for searching and retrieving data across the database. It walks users through the process of creating a new query, adding fields from related tables, and applyin… [Next page](https://speciforum.org/latest.md?page=1)