Creating a Data Layout

This article will show you how to create and save a Data Layout

Background

A 'Data Layout' refers to the list of variables you wish to include in your data set. You can create and organize you questions as variables as needed and save this layout for future use.  

Instructions

1. Access the 'Export Files' section of the 'Survey Dashboard'
   
   • See article: Data Downloads: Overview
2. Click on the 'Manage Layouts' pencil button and then on the  '+ New Layout' one

   

3. A new window will appear where you can design your layout 

   

Select Your Variables

There are a number of ways to select the variables you wish to add to your layout.

1. If you want to select all of the items click on the overall checkbox on the top left:

   

2. If you just want to look at a few items, simply click on the check boxes next to each item you wish to include.

Searching for Variables

There are a number of ways to create your saved data layout. This section will show you how to Search for specific variables

1. In the 'Filters & Actions' tab, you will see a 'Filter by Name" box. Here you can start typing in the question number and/or variable name and all of them will appear for you so you can quickly find variables if you have a lot of variables in your survey. This is helpful if you are trying to add or remove order variables or questions with long response lists. 
   

Data Output Options

Once you have added a variable to your template, you will have the following options available. 

These are reflected in the column headers.

1. Alternate Name - Allows you to define a different Variable Name
2. Alternate Label - Allows you to define a different Variable Label
3. Width - Allows you to adjust the column width
4. Force Start - Overrides column locations
5. Start - Start for column locations
6. End - End for column locations
7. SPSS Width - Allows you to adjust the column width for SPSS files
8. SPSS Measure
   • Nominal (default)
   • Ordinal
   • Scale
9. SPSS Alignment
   • Left
   • Right
   • Center

Filters

You can also use 'Filters' to display specific type of variables/questions. 

1. Click on the 'Filters & Actions' button to select any options you would like
   
2. Click on the items you wish to see and select them as needed
   

Select and Sort Your Variables

You can also select and sort the variables/questions based on some preset criteria. 

Naming Your Layout

1. Next you can name your layout so it can be used again in the future without having to start from scratch 
   • NOTE: The following are the only characters supported: alphanumeric, underscore, space and dash
     
     

Saving Your Layout

1. When you are done, click on the 'SAVE' button