> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://withforerunner.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Creating objects

> Add properties and custom objects manually from web or mobile, or through data imports

Objects in Forerunner can be created manually through the web or mobile app, or through data imports managed by your Customer Success Manager. Properties and custom objects both support manual creation on web and mobile, and custom objects can also be imported from GIS data.

## Creating properties

Properties can be created manually or imported in bulk.

### Creating a property manually

Create a property when you need to add a location that isn't in your imported parcel data — for example, a new structure not yet in assessor records, or a location you need to track for a specific workflow.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Web">
    <Steps>
      <Step title="Navigate to Properties">
        Go to the Properties table from the main navigation.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Select Add or Create">
        Select the option to add a new property.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Enter the address">
        Provide the street address. Forerunner geocodes the address to determine the location on the map.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Verify the location">
        Confirm the map pin is in the correct location. Adjust if needed.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Add property details">
        Enter any additional information available — parcel ID, owner information, or other attributes your account supports.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Save the property">
        Select **Save**. The property now appears on the map and in the Properties table.
      </Step>
    </Steps>
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Mobile">
    You can create properties directly from the mobile app while in the field. See [Creating properties on mobile](/mobile/creating-properties) for the full guide, including GPS placement and offline creation.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

<Note>
  Manually created properties may have limited attribute data compared to imported properties. Flood zone and parcel boundary data typically require CSM assistance to populate.
</Note>

### Importing properties

Bulk property imports are handled by your CSM, typically during initial onboarding or when updating parcel data.

**Property data sources**

* **Parcel/assessor data** - Boundaries, ownership, land use, values
* **Address databases** - Geocoded locations for properties without parcel geometry
* **FEMA data** - Flood zones, BFE, and FIRM panel information

**When to request a property data update**

* New assessor data is available from your jurisdiction
* FEMA has issued new or revised flood maps
* You need to add properties for a newly annexed area
* Property boundaries or addresses need correction

When contacting your CSM, provide the data source or file, what's changed since the last import, and any specific properties that need attention.

### After creating a property

Once a property exists — whether created manually or imported — you can:

* Attach [records](/objects/attaching-data) to track workflows
* Upload [files](/files/overview) like photos or documents
* Create [tasks](/tasks/overview) for follow-up work
* View the property on the [map](/maps/overview)

## Creating custom objects

Custom objects can be drawn on the map from the web or mobile app, or imported from GIS data by your CSM.

### Creating a custom object manually

Draw custom objects directly on the map when you need to capture a new feature — like a stormwater inlet, a stretch of fencing, or a drainage area — without waiting for a GIS import.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Web">
    <Steps>
      <Step title="Click the Add object button">
        On the map screen, click the **Add object** button.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Select an object type">
        Choose the type of object you want to create from the list. Available object types depend on what your administrator has configured.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Draw the geometry">
        Click on the map to place points. The geometry type depends on the object type you selected:

        * **Point** — Click once to place the object
        * **Line** — Click two or more times to draw connected segments
        * **Polygon** — Click three or more times to draw an enclosed area

        All points must be placed within your account boundary. To correct a mistake, click a point and select **Remove point**.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Enter a label">
        Type a label for the object.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Click Add">
        Click **Add** to create the object. It appears on the map immediately and the object info panel opens.
      </Step>
    </Steps>
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Mobile">
    <Steps>
      <Step title="Tap the Add object button">
        On the map screen, tap the **Add object** button in the bottom-right corner.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Select an object type">
        Choose the type of object you want to create from the list. Available object types depend on what your administrator has configured.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Draw the geometry">
        Tap on the map to place points. The geometry type depends on the object type you selected:

        * **Point** — Tap once to place the object
        * **Line** — Tap two or more times to draw connected segments
        * **Polygon** — Tap three or more times to draw an enclosed area

        All points must be placed within your account boundary. To correct a mistake, tap a point and select **Remove point**.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Enter a label">
        In the form at the bottom of the screen, type a label for the object.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Tap Add">
        Tap **Add** to create the object. It appears on the map immediately and the object info panel opens.
      </Step>
    </Steps>
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

<Tip>
  When drawing lines or polygons, make sure your lines don't cross over each other. If the app detects overlapping lines, you'll be prompted to add or remove points to fix the issue.
</Tip>

### Editing a custom object

You can update the label and reshape the geometry of a custom object you created manually—useful when you mislabeled an object or need to correct where it sits on the map.

<Note>
  Editing is available for custom objects created manually on web or mobile. Objects brought in through a GIS import are updated by re-importing the source data—contact your CSM.
</Note>

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Web">
    <Steps>
      <Step title="Open the object">
        Click the object on the map to open its information panel.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Start editing">
        Click **Edit**. The map zooms to fit the object and enters edit mode.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Update the label">
        Change the object's label in the form.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Reshape the geometry">
        Drag a point to move it, or click a point and select **Remove point** to delete it. The points you can adjust depend on the object's geometry:

        * **Point** — Drag the single point to reposition the object
        * **Line** — Drag any point along the line, or remove points to change its shape
        * **Polygon** — Drag or remove points to reshape the enclosed area

        All points must stay within your account boundary, and lines must not cross over each other.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Save your changes">
        Click **Save**. The updated object appears on the map immediately. To discard your changes, cancel out of edit mode.
      </Step>
    </Steps>
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Mobile">
    <Steps>
      <Step title="Open the object">
        Tap the object on the map to open its information panel.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Start editing">
        Tap **Edit**. The map zooms to fit the object and enters edit mode.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Update the label">
        Change the object's label in the form at the bottom of the screen.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Reshape the geometry">
        Tap and drag a point to move it, or tap a point and select **Remove point** to delete it. The points you can adjust depend on the object's geometry:

        * **Point** — Drag the single point to reposition the object
        * **Line** — Drag any point along the line, or remove points to change its shape
        * **Polygon** — Drag or remove points to reshape the enclosed area

        All points must stay within your account boundary, and lines must not cross over each other.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Save your changes">
        Tap **Save**. The updated object appears on the map immediately. To discard your changes, cancel out of edit mode.
      </Step>
    </Steps>

    Editing custom objects on mobile requires a connection—make these changes while online.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

### Importing custom objects

Custom objects can also be imported from GeoJSON data by your Customer Success Manager. This is the best option when you need to bring in large datasets from existing GIS systems.

1. **Prepare your data** - Export your data as GeoJSON, or as a Shapefile or Geodatabase for conversion
2. **Contact your CSM** - Share the file and describe what you want to track
3. **Define attributes** - Work with your CSM to determine which fields to display
4. **Configure display** - Specify map styling, labels, and grouping
5. **Review the import** - Verify objects appear correctly on the map and in tables
6. **Attach to workflows** - Start creating records against the new objects

**What to prepare for your CSM**

* **Source data** - GeoJSON file with geometries and attributes, or another format your CSM can convert
* **Field information** - Which attributes to display, user-friendly labels for technical field names, and a unique identifier field for matching on future updates
* **Display preferences** - Map symbology like colors, icons, or line styles, which attributes to show in map popups, and how to group with other object types
* **Workflow needs** - What record types should be attachable, who needs access, and whether objects should appear on the public website

### Updating imported custom objects

When your source data changes, your CSM can reimport to update object attributes. Existing records, files, and tasks remain attached. Forerunner matches objects by a unique identifier to preserve relationships, and new objects are added automatically.

Include a stable unique identifier in your source data — this helps Forerunner match objects accurately during reimports, even if geometries shift slightly.

## Frequently asked questions

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Can I bulk create properties myself?">
    Bulk property creation requires a data import managed by your CSM. You can create individual properties manually on the web or mobile, but large-scale additions should go through the import process.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What happens if I create a duplicate property?">
    If you create a property at an address that already exists, you may end up with duplicates. Search for the property first before creating a new one. Contact your CSM if you need to merge or remove duplicates.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What custom object types can I draw?">
    You can create objects for any object type that your administrator has enabled for manual creation. The available types and their geometry — point, line, or polygon — are configured per object type.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="How long does a custom object import take?">
    Simple imports can often be completed within a few days. More complex imports with custom styling, multiple object types, or data conversion may take longer. Your CSM can provide a timeline based on your specific needs.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I delete objects I've created?">
    Deletion permissions depend on your user role and whether the object has attached records or files. Contact your CSM if you need to remove objects.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>