Data Entry App UI/UX: Text wrapping for section descriptions and horizontal scroll on wide tables

Hello everyone,

We are using DHIS2 version 2.42.6 and have identified two usability issues in the web-based Data Entry app that are affecting data entry:

  • Long section descriptions: Text does not wrap correctly, making it difficult to read the full description.

  • Sections with many category option combinations (COCs): Users have to scroll extensively to access all options and complete data entry.

As a workaround, we have tried moving the description before the section to increase the space available for the section itself. However, this approach requires HTML line breaks (<escape><br></escape>) to format the description properly. The Metadata Management app does not fully support these tags, so the formatting is not preserved as expected.

We understand that changing the orientation of COCs and data elements could help manage the section size. However, making this change at this stage is not feasible given our reporting schedule and the communication and coordination required to inform users.

Given the impact on end users, we would appreciate urgent guidance on whether these are known issues, whether alternative workarounds exist, and whether fixes are planned.

I also came across DHIS2-20711, concerning long section tab names. Are there related issues covering these problems?

I am attaching a sample dataset to help illustrate the issues. Please let me know if I have overlooked an existing solution or configuration option.

Thank you.

Hi @AllanLusui

This doesn’t seem to have been reported. There is a similar one that addresses long names but not the description: Jira . Would you like to create one for ‘long section descriptions’?

I wonder if there is another way to adding these instructions instead of using the description field. :thinking:

It seems that one of these issues was addressed by @diallotafsir52 and the suggestion was to ‘freeze’ the first column, would that work for you? DHIS2-21675 - New Data Entry app – freeze the left column (row labels) when sections are wider than the screen – you’re welcome to add your comments to the ticket.

Thanks!

Hi Gassim,
Thanks for your guidance
The Jira ticket is up and I will be closely monitoring its progress

For the freeze column, we are looking into it and we believe this will partially solve our problem.
Thanks!
Allan Lusui