In this article
1: Overview
A Fixed Width Data Template is a type of export configuration available in the Data Templates functionality of the Survey Designer. It allows survey data to be exported in a structured, column-based layout where each variable occupies a fixed number of character positions in the output file. This format is particularly useful for systems that require highly structured data layouts for import or processing.
In addition to the capabilities of the Simple (Delimited) Template, the Standard fixed width template allows positions to be specified by assigning variable width. Quantum fixed width template will give you two additional columns: Start and Finish Card.
After Creating a New Export Template, you can start configuring the template settings and variables.
2: Configuring Template Settings
Type a name for your template into the Template Name field.
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Configure the variable settings. The options here are irreversible, so if you change your mind, you will need to cancel and create a new template from scratch.
Multi handling: Split Multis - Enable "Split Multis" to create separate columns for each multi-option in the survey. For all multi-select questions stored as Bitstring variables, logical variables will be automatically generated from each answer option. For example, a Multi question q5 with three answer options (1, 2, 99) will generate three logical variables (q5_1, q5_2, q5_99). These generated logical variables can be placed in the survey template either by repositioning them manually or by assigning them to specific positions. This setting applies globally to all multi-select questions in the survey.
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Loop handling: Flatten loops - Enable Flatten Loops to convert looped survey questions into standard variables. This expands loop data into separate variables for each iteration, simplifying the dataset to a single level.
Note: Templates with this setting can’t be used in the Data Viewer. Data: Include respondent data - Enable "Include Respondent Data" to add respondent data to the template. Note that templates with this option are restricted to use in the data viewer.
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Export options - Toggle this setting on to export data using fixed-width formatting. This format sets a specific number of character positions for each variable, making it easier to import the file into systems that require structured layouts.
Select Fixed Width Template Type
Choose the template structure for your fixed-width export. Since we are creating a fixed width data template, you should choose standard.
Standard: Lets you assign specific widths to each variable. Builds on the Simple (Delimited) template by allowing position control.
Default Text Width
Sets the character width for open text variables without a defined limit.
If a text response exceeds this width, it will be truncated.
Minimum value: 1
Maximum value: 4000
Recode Multi
Turn this option on to minimize the space used by multi-coded variables.
Replaces large code ranges with the actual number of unique codes in the dataset.
Example: A multi variable with answers 1, 2, and 99 would normally take up 99 positions, but with Recode Multi, only 3 positions are used.
Greatly reduces the file size for datasets with many multi-coded variables.
Multi Spread
Use this setting to break a multi-coded variable into individual sub-fields, with one field per code.
Each code gets its own column, making the data easier to read and analyze.
The width of each sub-field depends on the number of digits in the codes:
Codes up to 9 = 1 character
Codes up to 99 = 2 characters, and so on.
Click the Next button to continue.
3: Managing and Selecting Variables for Your Template
1 All Variables in Current Level - The left column lists all the variables available in the survey. A search bar is provided at the top for easy filtering.
2 Selected Variables from Current Level - The right column displays the variables that are included in the template.
3 Include All Variables - Clicking this button selects all the variables from all the levels, adding them to the template.
4 Clear All Variables - Clicking this button de-selects all the variables from all the levels, removing them from the template.
5 Filter Variables - Opens a dialog that allows you to filter the variables in both columns based on their type.
Add the variables you want to include in the template by moving them from the left column into the right column. There are several ways of doing this:
You can click the + Add All button to move all the variables simultaneously.
You can select individual or multiple variables in the left column and click the + Add button to move the selected variables.
You can select individual or multiple variables in the left column, then click on one of the selected variables and drag them to the right column. Note that when multiple variables are selected then the number of variables being moved in indicated beside the drag field.
In the event variables are moved to the right column in error, select then in the right column and click the - Remove button.
Reorder the variables as necessary by dragging and dropping.
Click the Next button to continue.
4: Configuring Variables
1 Select level or table - Defines which data level or table (e.g., response, loop) you’re configuring. Determines which variables are available for inclusion in the fixed width template.
2 Type - Displays the variable type icon (e.g., single, multi, open text, numeric). Helps you quickly identify the data type of each variable.
3 ID - Shows the variable’s internal identifier or system name used in the survey (e.g., respid, CallAttempts).
4 Title - The variable’s display label or question text—what will appear in the export to identify the field.
5 Width - Specifies the number of character positions assigned to that variable in the fixed width export. Longer responses require larger widths.
6 Start - Indicates the starting character position of the variable within the fixed width record. Calculated based on the widths of preceding variables.
7 Finish - Marks the ending character position of the variable in the fixed width file. The difference between Start and Finish equals the variable’s width.
8 Manual / Auto Resolution -
Manual: Automatic position updates are disabled. Only the Finish positions will be updated. You will need to manually resolve any overlaps or issues.
Auto Resolution: Automatic position updates are enabled. Finish positions and overlaps will be resolved automatically.
9 Delete (trash icon) - Removes a variable from the current template configuration.
10 More options (ellipsis) - Opens a menu with additional actions for the selected variable, letting you move down or move to bottom.
11 Create Template - Finalizes and saves the fixed width template with the configured variable order, widths, and positions.