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e-FEP: Frequently Asked Questions
This is a list of frequently asked questions or issues you may encounter when using the e-FEP. If the issue cannot be resolved by checking the advice below, please contact your local Natural England Office for further assistance.
- There is a limit on the amount of text I can enter into the boxes on the Adobe form, can I use continuation sheets?
- Do I need to record all features against a land parcel reference?
- How do I record the potential for creating species rich grassland on arable land, when 'arable' does not appear in the drop down list?
- Should I record the amount of F09 for each land parcel?
- I understand Access revenue items are no longer available. How does this affect Section 3.4 of the FEP form?
- Can the Excel spreadsheet be downloaded and completed on a PDA?
- The Excel spreadsheet will not download: there is a message saying it is password-protected. What should I do?
- When downloading the Excel part 2 and using ‘Save As’ file type Excel 97-2003, as requested, I get a warning that I cannot save to this file format. What should I do?
- I am unable to open the Excel spreadsheet, what should I do?
- The Excel spreadsheet does not appear to be functioning properly. There is a problem with the macros. What should I do?
- Why is it not possible to tab between cells?
- JCA name is not carried across onto the continuation sheets and I cannot type it in?
- Can I create my own version of the Excel spreadsheet to submit with the Adobe form?
There is a limit on the amount of text I can enter into the boxes on the Adobe form, can I use continuation sheets?
There is a 450 character limit (including spaces and punctuation) in Section 3 of this form. If you cannot get all the required information within this limit, please send the extra information in paper format with your maps, and include a reference to it in the text box in the form.
Do I need to record all features against a land parcel reference?
Yes, all features should be recorded against a land parcel reference in the format SK12344321.
How do I record the potential for creating species rich grassland on arable land, when 'arable' does not appear in the drop down list?
There is no longer a requirement to record arable fields in the data sheet, so 'arable' has been removed from the drop down lists. Any potential for creating species rich grassland on arable land should be recorded in the farm overview and opportunities section of the form under Section 3.2 Biodiversity (a) "Are there any opportunities for habitat restoration/re-creation that would benefit specific BAP habitats or species?" Any arable sites you refer to must include a land parcel reference number.
Should I record the amount of F09 for each land parcel?
Yes, this makes sure we have a land parcel reference for each entry of F09. No other boundaries or boundary lengths should be recorded on the FEP data sheet.
I understand Access revenue items are no longer available. How does this affect Section 3.4 of the FEP form?
Whilst access revenue items are no longer available, we still offer capital items to support access opportunities. Highlight any opportunites for access in section 3.4 (a) of the FEP form and list any capital items that would support this. Identify any opportunities for Educational Access at section 3.4 (b) of the FEP form and list any capital items to support this.
Can the Excel spreadsheet be downloaded and completed on a PDA?
No. It has been designed to work on a PC or laptop and is not supported on a PDA.
The Excel spreadsheet will not download: there is a message saying it is password-protected. What should I do?
The environmental features datasheet component of the e-FEP has been designed and is supported for use on a PC. Users should not have any difficulty downloading this file to a PC. However, this error is likely to arise if the user is trying to download the document to a PDA. This document has not been designed or is supported for use on a PDA.
When downloading the Excel part 2 and using ‘Save As’ file type Excel 97-2003, as requested, I get a warning that I cannot save to this file format. What should I do?
You can find out how in the Guidance for saving e-FEP Excel part2 template: (88kb)
.
I am unable to open the Excel spreadsheet, what should I do?
Internet Explorer may block Excel files (dependent on security settings) due to potential macro viruses. Some users have reported difficulties with the Excel template due to conflicts with their browser security settings. This problem does not occur with zipped files. You are advised to download the compressed zip version containing both documents to avoid this problem. See compressed zip version under eFEP Guidance for customers and FEP surveyors.
The Excel spreadsheet does not appear to be functioning properly. There is a problem with the macros. What should I do?
Security settings can prevent the macros from running if they are set too high. To avoid this problem, before downloading the e-FEP spreadsheet, you need to set the security level to allow the macros to work correctly. To do this select: Tools/Options/Security tab/Macro setting/medium.
Why is it not possible to tab between cells?
Although it is possible to tab from normal data input cells into other cells (including those with drop down-lists), it is not possible to tab from a cell that contains a drop-down list (once a value has been selected from the list) into another cell. Unfortunately this is standard Excel functionality.
JCA name is not carried across onto the continuation sheets and cannot be typed in. What should I do?
A. This is recognised as a ‘known fault’ and will be addressed in a later version of the e-FEP. This information can be left blank on the form.
Is it possible to create my own version of the Excel spreadsheet to submit with the Adobe form?
No. We have had to apply tight controls to the use of e-FEP templates to protect the underlying process. A number of macros are embedded within the spreadsheet that are integral to the way the data is displayed visually, and to the subsequent processes that take place to upload the information into the Natural England computer system.
You must download and use the latest version, as this has been developed and fully tested by Natural England to ensure compatibility with our processes.
