Custom Fields

Custom Fields allows users to create data points in the survey database for use in reports and exports; they cannot be used for survey logic. Custom fields can use respondent answers to categorize and aggregate responses, calculate information such as sums or averages, or additional data may be uploaded from an outside source and appended to respondent answers.

Custom fields may be added to the survey at any time and do not affect live respondents or the survey program itself.

To access Custom Fields, go to Data Filters > Custom Fields in the survey navigation menu.

Overview

• Makers, Field Managers, and Researchers can access Custom Fields.
• The custom fields created can be found in the Custom Fields chapter of the reporting field tree. All added datapoints are added to the end of the end of the dataset.
• Custom fields can be either calculated (auto-filled) or uploaded (manually filled with uploaded data).
• Calculated custom fields:
  • Single and multiple select calculated fields auto-fill based on option conditions. Number calculated fields use the provided formula to generate data.
  • Filters and conditions may be applied to a calculated field by importing an existing data cut using the scissor icon, using the Expression Builder, or manually typing an expression.
  • Only questions in the published version of the survey can be used for filters and conditions.
• Uploaded custom fields:
  • These fields will be blank until data is manually populated using the Upload Data function via the upload icon. File types accepted are .xlsx and .csv.
  • Data can be populated through Custom Fields or Add Data. Note, only uploaded fields can be populated within Custom Fields. To add data to other survey fields, use Add Data.
  • Once an uploaded custom field has data, its question type cannot be changed. If the question type needs to be changed, create a new custom field instead.
• Custom fields include simple reporting through the Frequency  snapshot. All custom fields are available in every report type for deeper analysis.
• Weights can be applied to custom fields.
• While a custom field stores data for all respondents, regardless of status, Custom Fields only displays counts for status "C" (Completes).
• Note, leading q: n is not supported at this time. Because custom fields exist outside the survey source, they are not bound by leading q: n settings within the survey.

Creating a calculated field

A calculated custom field can be a single select, multiple select, or number question type. Filters can be added at the field or option level. While a Field Filter is optional, each option must have a filter applied. Conditions can be entered manually, selected from existing data cuts, or built with the Expression Builder.

Single and multiple selection fields

In the example below, QGENERATION groups female respondents into three generations. A Field Filter limits the field to females, and each option includes a condition to define age ranges. Note, the blue bubble next to the Conditions field shows how many respondents meet both the field and option filters.

Number fields

Calculated number fields accept mathematical expressions. Use this field to calculate respondent information such as the sum of multiple survey fields. Formulas must be entered manually. The Insert Field dialog lists available survey questions and data points for use in the formula. The calculated result is then stored in the custom field.

In the example below, QSPEND will store the result of a respondent’s $Q3 answer multiplied by 52.

Creating a field to upload data

An uploaded custom field can be single select, multiple select, or number. It stores data like a calculated field, but relies on uploaded data instead of being system calculated. For single and multiple select questions, options must be defined to ensure they display correctly in reports.

Data can be uploaded at any time. Click Upload Later to save the custom field without uploading. When ready, click the upload icon to upload the data.

Uploading data

Only data that pertains to the custom field being edited should be uploaded. All field types require the uploaded file to follow a specific format. 

• Row 1 must be a header row that contains the text 'id' in Column A and the field name (e.g., QPRODUCTS) in Column B.
• Column A must contain unique ids that map exactly to the unique ids in the existing survey data.
• Column B should contain the data to populate the field (e.g., QPRODUCTS) for each id. If no data is entered, a blank response will be uploaded to the field.

The Column B formatting depends on the field type:

• Single select: enter the option ID (e.g., 2).
• Multiple select: enter comma-separated option IDs (e.g., 2, 4).
• Number: enter integers or decimals only (e.g., 1500.50 or 6); no commas, currency, or % symbols.

Here's an example for uploading data to a multiple select field labeled QPRODUCTS.