# Creating observations
You collect data with Mapeo Mobile in the form of *observations*. An observation is based on a geographic location (a point on the map) and can have associated photos, notes, and details.
## Create a new observation
To create a new observation, tap the **Create observation** button.
{% hint style="info" %}
Observations can be created from the home 
**Map** screen or from the 
**Camera** screen. Tap **Camera** at the bottom of the home screen to change the view.
{% endhint %}
## Select a category
Select the category that best represents what you are documenting in the observation. Mapeo comes with a default set of categories and associated icons that can be used for collecting and classifying data.
### 
{% hint style="info" %}
It is possible to create custom categories and icons to tailor Mapeo to specific data collection needs. This customization currently requires significant technical knowledge. For more on customization, see [custom-configurations](https://docs.mapeo.app/complete-reference-guide/customization-options/custom-configurations "mention").
{% endhint %}
## Add a description
Tap on the placeholder **What is happening here?** to add a description of what you are documenting.
## Add photos
Tap **Add Photo** to take one or more photos to attach to the observation.
{% hint style="info" %}
Photos must be taken in the moment using your phone's camera. Mapeo Mobile does not currently allow you to attach existing images from a gallery or other source.
{% endhint %}
To remove a photo from a draft observation, tap on the thumbnail of the image. On the **View image** screen, tap the 
**Delete Image** button.
{% hint style="info" %}
If the **Delete Image** button is not visible on the **View image** screen, tap anywhere on the screen to show.\
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\*Deleting images from draft observations is only available in Mapeo Mobile version **5.4.0** or higher.
{% endhint %}
To confirm deletion, tap **Delete Image** in the confirmation window. Please note that once deleted, images cannot be recovered.
If you don't wish to proceed with the deletion, tap **Cancel** then tap the 
**Close** button to return to the **New observation** screen.
{% hint style="info" %}
Images cannot be removed once an observation has been saved.
{% endhint %}
## Add details
Depending on the category you have selected, you may see the option to 
**Add details** at the bottom of the screen. Observation details consist of specific questions for each observation category. Mapeo Mobile comes with basic questions for some categories. Adding details is not required when creating observations.
Tap **NEXT** to move to the next question and tap **DONE** once you have answered the last one.
 
 
{% hint style="info" %}
In order to set up your own custom questions or details fields, you must customize Mapeo. For more information, see [custom-configurations](https://docs.mapeo.app/complete-reference-guide/customization-options/custom-configurations "mention")
{% endhint %}
## Save observation
Once you have added all desired information, tap 
**Save**.
### \* Note on GPS precision
If the GPS signal at the moment of saving the observation has an accuracy worse than ± 10 m, Mapeo will automatically offer you three options:
1. Tap **CONTINUE WAITING** to wait until the GPS signal improves.
2. Tap **SAVE** to use the current GPS data, even if the accuracy is worse than ± 10 m.
3. Tap **MANUAL COORDS** to manually enter the coordinates that you want to use.\
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You can choose which GPS data format you want to use to enter the coordinates. This is a useful option if you have a GPS device or another smartphone with a better GPS signal accuracy.\
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Tap **Save** once you have manually entered the coordinates to return to the **Edit observation** screen.