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LEED Online forms and uploads

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What internet browser is compatible with LEED Online?

Any internet browser can be used to access LEED Online.

How do I view and work with forms in LEED Online?

All LEED v4.1 projects and LEED v4 projects registered after April 18, 2022 utilize HTML credit forms, which are compatible with any browser. No additional software is required.

For previously registered LEED v4 and v2009 projects, we have developed a temporary offline forms process for use with Adobe Reader (PDF) while we work to transition v4 projects to HTML.

How do I access the credit forms offline?

LEED Online has two modes for working with credit forms, Online and Offline. You can set your default options from the main screen, once logged in. Click on the small gear icon on the top-right of the screen to access the general Application Settings for LEED Online.

From here, you can change the way you access credit forms. The three options available to you are:

  • Online: This is the way that credit forms have been always been accessed in the past. You can continue to use this option as you have in the past.
  • Offline: This selection provides you with the option to download an editable version of credit forms, which can then be uploaded back to the system. You can work on forms directly from your computer without the need for access to the Internet, and upload them back to LEED Online at your convenience. For more information, view the offline forms functionality resource (https://www.usgbc.org/resources/offline-forms-functionality).
  • Auto: Let LEED Online decide! LEED Online will assess whether your browser is properly configured for using online forms. If so, it will bring you to them. If it detects that there are issues that would prevent the forms to work properly, you will be directed to the area for working with forms in offline mode.

Working with offline forms:

Credit forms can now be downloaded and re-uploaded to the system. From within the offline forms area, you will be presented with two initial options, ‘Download to View’ and ‘Download to Edit’.

If you simply wish to view the current state of the form, you can Download to View at any time without causing modification to the credit form. Download to Edit will allow you to make edits offline. Other users attempting to download the same form for edits will be notified that this form is already being edited by you. To check the form back in, upload it using the Upload Edited Form button. All users will then see the newly modified form that you have uploaded.

Read the article,"How to document LEED credits offline" and / or download the offline forms functionality resource.

  • What is "Download to View"? This option allows you to view the current version of the form without opening it for edits.
  • What is "Download to Edit"? This option lets you "check out" the form to edit it. Only one user can have the form checked out at a time.
  • Are Online and Offline forms the same? Yes, both online and offline forms are the same. Offline forms are provided as a convenience for those who experience issues viewing the forms online or prefer to work offline.
  • How do I modify my settings to always use offline forms? You can modify LEED Online to show offline forms by default. To do this, click on the Application Settings icon on the landing page when you first log into LEED Online. Under the option for 'Credit Form Access Mode', choose 'Offline.'
  • Where can I view my uploaded forms? Uploaded forms are processed immediately, so you can view your updated form by clicking the Download to View button, or viewing the form online.
  • How can I know who edited the form? You can view details of who has edited the form in the credit activity log, located within the credit on the scorecard page. Clicking the road icon will show all the changes made for that credit.

What tips do you have for the Offline forms process for LEED v4 or v2009 projects?

Please see our downloadable document for full details. Teams should be mindful that:

  • the last version of the downloaded form is the only version that the system will recognize when the project team member uploads the form to LEED Online.
  • file names must remain the same. Please do not change the name of the file and always save the form in Adobe Reader PDF format.
  • teams should download the form to edit, open, edit, and save in Adobe Reader.
  • LEED Online will not accept the form if using Bluebeam.

What credits are impacted by the HTML forms rollout in LEED Online and what is the timeline?

Credit forms slated for release to HTML format are outlined in the LEED Online: HTML Forms Rollout article. When a credit form is migrated from PDF to HTML, any data that has already been entered into the PDF forms or uploaded using an offline form, will automatically be transferred into the new HTML form. Any data stored in an offline form on your local computer, will need to be manually input into the new HTML forms. You can watch this quick demo to see how the data will transfer.

Where and how do I upload files?

For prerequisites and credits with Adobe PDF Offline Forms, on the 'Credits' tab, upload files to the 'Uploads' button which is located directly below the name of each credit, in the dropdown menu. If the button is not visible, then the prerequisite or credit has the newer HTML form loaded and you will upload files directly in the form, where prompted.

I’m having trouble editing LEED credit forms. What should I do?

There are a few reasons that you might not be able to edit the forms in a project:

  • The forms you are trying to edit may currently be under review. While credits are under review, changes cannot be made to their forms, uploads, or thresholds.
  • Your project may have a review that is pending acceptance. To accept or appeal a review, visit the Timeline page for the project.
  • The project administrator may have set credits to 'exclusive access'.
  • If you're still experiencing trouble, please contact us.

How do I mark a credit as ready for review?

Once you’ve finished documenting an attempted credit, click the grey checkmark to the left of the credit name to mark it as “ready for review.” The checkmark will turn green, and the dropdown in the credit row will say "Ready for Review."

Can I edit a credit’s form while that credit is under review?

No, the form is locked to prevent changes from being made during the review.

What happens when I withdraw a credit?

When a credit is withdrawn, the points attempted/awarded/pending for that credit are removed from the project's point total. The credit can be restored to its previous state at any point. Prerequisites cannot be withdrawn.

What types of files can I upload as supporting documentation?

PDF, XLSX, XLS, DOCX, DOC, TXT, ZIP, JPG, GIF, and BMP file types are preferred.

What's the file size limit for LEED Online?

File uploads may be no larger than 100 MB. Depending on your Internet speed, you may have difficulty uploading large files, even if they are under the 100 MB limit. If you have a file that is over 100 MB that you would like to upload, consider the following options:

  • Files that are over 100 MB generally include more information than is necessary for the LEED Certification Review; break out the particular page or segment that fulfills the targeted LEED upload requirement and save it as a separate file to upload.
  • If it is a picture file, save the file with a lower resolution in order to reduce the file size. Compress the document into a zip file.
  • For site plans and floor plans, only include the necessary layers and save as a PDF.

Should I upgrade my prerequisite and credit forms to the latest version, and how is that done?

While not required, upgraded versions of a prerequisite or credit form may assist in documenting prerequisite or credit compliance. Project teams may request a form upgrade through the 'Feedback' button in LEED Online.

When requesting the form upgrade, please provide the LEED Project ID number, the LEED Project Name, the LEED Rating System, and the specific prerequisite or credit form names.

How do I access documentation from past reviews for an active project?

The snapshot button on the "Timeline" page will generate a zipped file of submitted documentation for a specific review phase. It takes a few moments to generate the zip file. Sign out and log back in. You’ll receive an alert when your snapshot is ready.

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