Simulated Data

Simulated Data generates test records and populates all relevant survey fields as an actual respondent would. Use it to verify programming logic (skip patterns, and validations, and more) or to preview reports.

To create simulated data, go to Build > Testing > Simulated Data in the survey's left navigation menu.

Overview

Simulated Data runs 100% in the background. You can leave the applet entirely and will be notified when the data simulation is complete. Simulated Data works with published data only.

• Number of simulations: (Required) The number of test records that should be generated. Defaults to 100 simulations. Adjust this number as needed.
• Quota increase / decrease: Allows the simulated data to pass or fall short of the quotas in place in the Quota Manager. Increase the default to allow for more quotas, or decrease it to allow for less. For example, if there is a quota cap in place for 200 completes, but 500 test records are needed, increase the quotas 3x to allow for up to 600 quotas to punch, without generating records flagged as Over Quota.
  
• Skip Validation: Ignores validation checks.
• Avoid simple terms: Automatically creates custom rules based on simple termination points found within the survey, allowing Simulated Data to bypass them.
• Add custom data rules: Allows testers to set rules for specific questions instead of generating random answers. Useful for bypassing complex termination points and validation rules.
• Simulated data follows the naming convention TEST40001, with the record ID increasing by 1 for each new entry.

Using custom data rules

Custom data lets testers create customized rules to allow or prohibit specific answers for questions. These rules can range from simple to complex. Enter a unique rule in each line. Once you have added all the custom rules needed, click Run in the upper right corner of the screen.

Custom data examples

There are a few different ways to specify the values that Simulated Data should use. Different techniques apply to different question types.

Syntax	Description	Single Select	Multi-Select	Numeric Open End	Free Text  Open End
Q1=5	Select option ID 5.
Q1__loop__2=5	Select option ID 5 in the second iteration of a loop.
Q1=gt(5)	Select an option with an ID greater than 5.
Q1=ge(5)	Select an option with an ID greater than or equal to 5.
Q1=lt(5)	Select an option with an ID less than 5.
Q1=le(5)	Select an option with an ID less than or equal to 5.
Q1=ne(5)	Select any option ID not equal to 5.
Q1=or(4,5)	Select either option 4 or 5.
Q1=[1,2,3]	Select options 1, 2, and 3.
Q1=or([1,2,3],5)	Select options 1, 2, and 3, OR select only option 5.
Q1='Orangutan'	Fill response with text 'Orangutan'.
Q1=exclude(1,2)	Exclude option IDs 1 and 2.
Q1=must_have(1,4,5)	Select all options out of the IDs specified – 1, 4, and 5.
Q1=must_have_one_of(1,4,5)	Select a single option out of the IDs specified – 1, 4, and 5.
Q1=no_conflict(1,2)	Do not select options specified at the same time.
Q1=min_checked(3)	Select at least 3 options.
Q1=max_checked(7)	Select at most 7 options.
Tables
T1=n_rows_have(2,1)	Table 1 should have at least two rows with option 1 selected.
T1=n_rows_have(4,[1,2,3])	Table 1 should have at least four rows with options 1, 2, and 3 selected. Other options may also be additionally selected. Exclusive options are avoided.