TriggerKoBoToolboxReal-timeUpdated May 2026
When does KoBoToolbox fire on field-collected submissions?
Short answer: Drop the "KoBoToolbox → KoBoToolbox Form Submitted" trigger on your workflow canvas, add filters if you want them, and publish. It fires within seconds of the event in KoBoToolbox, not on a polling schedule.
Anatomy
What this trigger looks like in a workflow.
Drop it on the canvas. Configure a couple of fields. Publish.
In the builder
Trigger
KoBoToolbox Form Submitted
When the matching event happens
when form submittedon form submittednew form submittedwatch for form submittedwhen a new submission is received on kobotoolbox
What this trigger returns
for the curiousYou don’t need to read this. Tiny Command auto-maps every field into the visual picker so downstream nodes can pull values by clicking. We show it here for power users who want to know what’s on the wire.
{"form": "form_123","submission_id": 12345}
Output shape
Fields available to downstream nodes.
Every field below can be referenced by name in any action or filter that comes after this trigger.
| Field | Type | Example |
|---|---|---|
| form | string | "form_123" |
| submission_id | number | 12345 |
Pairs with
Drop these actions after KoBoToolbox Form Submitted.
FAQ
Questions about KoBoToolbox Form Submitted.
How does the KoBoToolbox Form Submitted trigger work in KoBoToolbox?
Fires when a submission lands on the server (which may be hours/days after the field interview for offline-collected data via KoBoCollect). For humanitarian-data-collection workflows that need cloud-side processing of field submissions.
Is the KoBoToolbox Form Submitted trigger real-time?
Yes. KoBoToolbox Form Submitted uses webhooks or push subscriptions, not polling. Your workflow fires within seconds of the event happening in KoBoToolbox.
What data does KoBoToolbox Form Submitted return?
The full event payload from KoBoToolbox. The output shape table on this page lists every field, its type, and an example value so you can map fields into downstream nodes.
Can I filter KoBoToolbox Form Submitted so only some events start a workflow?
Yes. Add a Filter node right after the trigger and match on any field, whether that's subject, sender, status, or anything else in the payload. Workflows only continue when the filter passes.
Do I need KoBoToolbox admin permissions to use KoBoToolbox Form Submitted?
For most KoBoToolbox accounts a standard user can authorize the trigger. Some KoBoToolbox plans require an admin to enable third-party webhooks. Check KoBoToolbox's docs if the trigger fails to register.
Build a workflow on this trigger.
One trigger. 2+ downstream actions. Zero glue.
