---
title: "Collect: Survey Designer: Parent code"
url: "https://openforis.support/questions/497/collect-survey-designer-parent-code"
tags: ["collect"]
status: "answered"
score: 0
answer_count: 4
asked: "2016-03-18T08:57:21"
last_activity: "2017-10-18T20:00:22"
source: "Open Foris Support - Q&A Forum"
license: "Copyright Open Foris, 2026. Some rights reserved under creative commons license."
---

# Collect: Survey Designer: Parent code

Asked by nansinans on 2016-03-18

Hi. I just want to ask why I can't add the parent code of my sampling design (schema). That is why the hierarchy is always at level 1. But I actually have three levels.

My sampling design format seems right (level 1-3), then srs id, xy, province, location.

Thank you.


## Answer (score 0, by Stefano (OF) on 2016-03-18)

Link: https://openforis.support/questions/497/collect-survey-designer-parent-code/498

Hi Nancy,   
as I understood the sampling design seems to be correct.  
The problem can be in the way you use the sampling design code list in the code attributes.   
The sampling design data works like a regular hierarchical code list. If you have 3 levels, probably you will want to use 3 different code attributes, one per level. Please try to associate them to the sampling_design code list (automatically provided by the system and associated to the sampling point data) and then specify for each of them the correct parent code attribute. You will see that the hierarchical level of every attribute will change accordingly.  
I hope it is more clear now.  
Thanks a lot,  
Open Foris Team


## Answer (score 0, by nansinans on 2016-03-18)

Link: https://openforis.support/questions/497/collect-survey-designer-parent-code/499

Hi! Thank you for your answer, It is just that I still can't get it right.

My level one column only includes one area, so I put it all as 1.
then at level 2, where I have different parcels with different plots (level 3) within them. I basically have some multiple 1's to n on level 2 depending the number of plots (for level 3).

hope you understand.


## Answer (score 0, by ahani1977 on 2017-10-18)

Link: https://openforis.support/questions/497/collect-survey-designer-parent-code/1399

I think we have to choice first root then right click , afterward we choice code, add hierarchical, albeit we must add plus bottom for several level. is it Ok?


## Answer (score 0, by Stefano (OF) on 2017-10-18)

Link: https://openforis.support/questions/497/collect-survey-designer-parent-code/1400

Dear all,  
The sampling point data code list is implicitly hierarchical and you cannot modify it as you do with a regular code list.  
Instead what you need to do is to define two code attribute in your schema that use the sampling design as code list: in the second attribute specify the first code attribute as "parent code" so you will see the hierarchical level change to "level 2".  
Thanks and let us know if this solved your issue.  
Open Foris Team