idem

idem helps you validate XLSForm files against an authoritative reference form. It is designed for workflows where a canonical form is maintained centrally and partner or localised copies must stay in sync with it — catching drift in question names, choice lists, and answer options before it causes problems in data collection or analysis.

Installation

# install.packages("pak")
pak::pak("impact-initiatives/idem@v2026.4.27")

Key concepts

target is the canonical, centrally maintained XLSForm — the source of truth defining what questions, choice lists, and answer options are required.

dev is the copy being validated — a localised adaptation, a partner’s version, or a form deployed in a specific context.

The rule: everything in target must also exist in dev. dev may carry extra content; it must not be missing anything target requires.

The checks

Check	What is tested
question_names	Every question name in target must exist in dev.
list_names	Every choice list defined in target’s choices sheet must also be defined in dev’s choices sheet.
survey_list_names	Every choice list referenced by target’s survey questions must also be referenced in dev’s survey questions.
choices	For every shared list, every choice option in target must exist in the same list in dev.

All checks return a tidy tibble — one row per issue.

Quick start

library(idem)

# load both forms
target <- msna_template_required          # bundled MSNA reference
dev    <- read_xlsform("path/to/mission_form.xlsx")

# run all checks
issues <- validate_xlsform(target = target, dev = dev)
issues

An empty tibble means the form is fully compliant. Any rows flag content that dev is missing relative to target.

See the Getting started article for a full walkthrough: exploring forms, understanding each check, running checks individually, skipping lists, and working with results.