Beacon Updates: Data Layout Manager

Our Data Layout Manager tool set is now available to all clients. Previously, a programmer was needed to modify datamaps, arrange variables and include/exclude variables in data downloads’; now you’re empowered to do it youtself without assistance from our staff via our new GUI interface. Layouts can be saved and reused, copied or imported to new projects to maintain an existing data map. Data manager is particularly useful for trackers, or any project using fixed-width data to help reduce offline work when doing crosstabs or similar.

The data export manager can be accessed via the Portal on the Report screen. To access the data download manager in the Portal, locate the project and click on it to reveal the options. In the "report & data" section, select "data download".

To access the data layout manager in the Report screen, run the desired report and click on the "downloads" tab.

The data layout manager is located at the top of the "downloads" window. It allows you to select an existing layout from the dropdown menu, import a layout from another project, create a new layout, or edit/delete a non-standard layout.

Step 1: Select variables to include in your data downloads.

Once the data export manager is open, click on the "add/remove variables" tab.

Overview:

1. add variables: Allows you to select only a certain type of question. For example, click on "open-ended" to only select and edit the open-ended questions.
2. included: Select the variables you want to include in the data downloads by checking the checkbox for the variable.
3. search/jump to: Enter a key term or label in the "search" or "jump to" field to locate a specific variable.
4. choose columns: Allows you to select the columns that are displayed in the editing field.
5. hide excluded variables/show all: Click on "hide excluded variables" to only view variables that are selected; click on "show all" to view all variables.
6. view standard datamap: Click this to view the datamap in a new window, allowing you to reference a comprehensive list of the survey content.

Note: Variables that are new in a project are highlighted in yellow. New variables are common in tracking studies when layouts are copied or imported.

Step 2: Edit the layout.

Once you've chosen which variables to include in the data download, click on "edit layout" to begin editing.

Overview:

1. select variables: Check the box for variables you want to re-order for the data download. Tip: to select all of the variables, hold down the shift key and click the first checkbox and the last checkbox in consecutive order.
2. search/jump to: Enter a key term or label in the "search" or "jump to" field to locate a specific variable.
3. choose columns: Allows you to select the columns that are displayed in the editing field.
4. move selected variables: Allows you to move a selected variable to the top position, up one position, to a specified position, down one position or to the bottom position in the data download.
• set to survey order: Click here to reset the order to the original order of the survey.
5. altlabel: Edit the default altlabel.
6. width: (For used with fixed-width data files.) Edit the width of a variable. The "start" and "end" range will update based on the width specified.
7. force start: Allows you to specify the "start" position of the variable in the data download. A start position must be greater than that of the variable before it. The "start" and "end" range of all succeeding variables will update based on the new position.
8. view standard datamap: Click this to view the datamap in a new window, allowing you to reference a comprehensive list of the survey content.

Note: "start" and "end" indicate the range and position of the variable in the data file.

Text Edit

For mass layout changes, the "text" editing feature allows you to make the changes in text format.

1. edit mode: Allows you to switch between the grid view and the text view.
2. text edit: Allows you to make edits in text format. Only variables that are included in the layout are displayed, and deleting a variable here will remove it from the layout. The "altlabel" and "width" are also included and may be edited here.
3. view standard datamap: Click this to view the datamap in a new window, allowing you to reference a comprehensive list of the survey content.
4. save: Click here to save the layout.

Step 3: Save the new data layout.

Once the new layout has been created, click the "save" button.

Note: You may save the layout on either the "add/remove variables" tab or the "edit layout" tab.

Enter a name for the layout and then click "save".

After a layout is saved you will return to the download screen, where you may select a layout and data download form. You also have the option to "edit layout" or "delete layout".