Almost every colleague runs into some problem while working on the CHI app. This article answers 21 questions. The guidance is based on field experience. Find your question and read the answer below.

What should I do if the house owner and a tenant live in the same house?

Make only one house entry. Inside that entry, register the two as separate families. For the tenant family, select "Rented" in the property ownership status. For the owner's family, answer according to their actual situation.

How do I register temporary settlements, nomadic or migrant families?

Record such a family as MMP (Mobile and Migrant Population). Don't force them into a wrong category. If you're not sure, ask your supervisor and enter the case correctly.

What if a new family can't be added, or there are more families than the number I entered?

The app lets you add only as many families as the number you entered on the Living Status screen. If the number was entered wrongly, or a new family turns up later, go back to the Living Status screen, correct the total number of families and save, then return and add the new family.

How do I enter a Parcel ID for apartments or hostels?

In apartments and hostels many homes are in one building, so the Parcel ID for the whole building stays the same. Make a separate entry for each flat or unit, but use the same single Parcel ID. This keeps each home's entry separate and correct.

What should I do if the Parcel ID is rejected or shows as duplicate?

Often the reason is that this Parcel ID was already used for another house. First check the correct Parcel ID. Then go to Rejected Entries, open that record and enter the right Parcel ID. Never use a repeated Parcel ID.

Why does a duplicate Parcel ID show up even though I didn't enter it?

Some time ago, when Lady Health Workers and CHIs were registering, Parcel IDs were entered temporarily. Those old entries still exist in the system. So be careful when making a new entry and confirm with your supervisor.

How do I use parcel maps in the field?

Maps serve two purposes: field verification and finding the correct Parcel ID. Walk through your block and compare the houses on the ground with the map. During registration, find the correct Parcel ID and enter that. Never reuse a Parcel ID for another house.

What should I do when the app says the CNIC is already in use?

If the app says the CNIC has already been used, don't use it again. A CNIC that has been entered once will not be entered a second time.

Why hasn't the data reached the server even after saving?

Many colleagues think pressing Save sends the data to the server. It doesn't. Saving keeps the record on the tablet only. To send it to the server, sync after work every day.

What if some records synced and some didn't?

This happens when some records have a problem, such as a repeated Parcel ID. Check Unsynced Records and Rejected Entries, fix the problem, then sync again.

How do registrations get duplicated?

Suppose four members are already registered in a house. You open that entry, edit something, save it again and sync. Now the system treats those four members as new members again. The four who were already registered become four more new ones, and the house has eight members instead of four.

This is how a registration gets duplicated, and your data shows more than the real figure.

Will work stop if there is no internet?

No, there is no need to stop. Enter data offline. When the internet comes back, sync it.

What should I do if the app shows an error I don't understand?

Don't panic. First read the error message carefully, re-check the information you entered and correct the relevant field. If the problem remains, contact your supervisor.

Where can I see how many registrations are done and which cases are incomplete?

Open the House Inspections section in the app. It shows total registrations, families with incomplete data, members with incomplete data and refusal cases. You can work on them again from there.

When should births and deaths be entered?

Whenever a birth or death happens in the population you cover, enter it on time.

What if I can't log in, the password is wrong, or the account is locked?

Enter the password correctly. Check the internet. Restart the tablet. Clear the cache. If it still doesn't work, contact your supervisor. If the account is locked, don't do anything yourself; have your supervisor activate it.

What if the app gets stuck on loading, hangs or crashes?

First restart the tablet. Clear the cache. Close background apps. Keep free space on the tablet. If the problem still remains, reinstall the app.

What if data synced but doesn't show on the dashboard, or shows a lower count?

Wait a few hours. Fix the unsynced and rejected records and sync again. If the difference is large, tell your supervisor.

What if I see incomplete data, a missing house code or a "house not found" message?

Go to the House Inspections section and complete the incomplete records. If a "house not found" message appears, ask your supervisor for guidance. Don't delete records on your own.

What should I do if a house code doesn't show up in search?

The CHI app needs an exact match when searching. The house code you type must be complete and exactly as it exists in the system. Even one digit off and the app can't find the house, so the search comes back empty.

The easy fix is:

1. Copy any one house code from your CHI app.
2. Paste it into the search box.
3. Remove the last eight digits.
4. Now type the eight digits of the house you are searching for.

This way the rest of the code is already correct and only the last eight digits belong to the house you want. It becomes an exact match and the search works. It also reduces the chance of mistakes from typing the whole code by hand.

What if the location doesn't appear, the map is wrong or shows "no map"?

Keep the tablet's location on. Try standing in an open area. Keep a good internet connection. Restart the tablet. If the problem continues, contact your supervisor.

General guidelines

• For any problem, first restart the tablet.
• Always sync at the end of each working day.
• Don't guess. If in doubt, ask your supervisor.
• Always confirm before deleting a record.

This article is based on practical experience. If you are in any doubt, please confirm with your supervisor.