Creating a Quantum Data Template

1: Overview

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

1. Type a name for your template into the Template Name field.

2. 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.

   1. 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.

   2. 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.

   3. 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.

   4. 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 creatign a quantum data template, you should choose Quantum.

      • Quantum: Includes Start and Finish Card columns for additional formatting used in Quantum software.

      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:

   1. Codes up to 9 = 1 character

   2. Codes up to 99 = 2 characters, and so on.

   Maximum Card Size

   Use this setting to define the total number of character positions available on each card in a fixed-width (Quantum) export.

   • Determines how much data can fit on a single card before a new card is started.

   • The minimum allowed value is 300 and the maximum allowed value is 1000.

   • If a respondent’s data exceeds the limit, additional cards are automatically created.

   Serial Length

   • Use this setting to specify the number of character positions reserved for the serial field.

   • This serial field stores a unique identifier for each respondent record.

   • It is not visible in the export template, but is used internally for record tracking.

   • The default value is 8, with a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 10.

   • The system uses this space to store serial values such as 00001234.

   Card Type Length

   • Use this setting to define the number of positions used for the card number field.

   • The card number identifies each card in a respondent’s data sequence (e.g., 01, 02, 03).

   • This value is stored on every card to maintain order in multi-card datasets.

   • The default value is 2, with a minimum of 1 and a maximum of 3.

   • According to Quantum limitations, the maximum card number is 27.

   Split All Variables Over Card

   • Use this setting to control how variables behave when their data exceeds the card size limit.

   • When enabled, any variable (such as multi-coded or long text variables) that exceeds the available card size continues on the next card automatically.

   • This ensures all data is exported without truncation.

   • This is the default behavior for fixed-width Quantum templates.

   • For example, if a text field of 600 characters cannot fit within the remaining space on a card, it will split — 400 characters on one card and the remaining 200 on the next.

3. 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.

ResponseID is in the right column by default and is set to be the key field. All appropriate keys for a level will be added automatically when you select a variable.

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 - Determines which level or dataset (for example, response or a loop level) is being configured for export. Selecting a level defines which variables are available to include in the template.

2 Type - Displays the icon for the variable type, such as single, multi, open text, or numeric. Helps identify the data type at a glance.

3 ID - The internal name or identifier of the variable within the survey (e.g., respid, status, interview_start).

4 Title - The display name or label for the variable. This is often the question text or a short descriptive name shown in exports.

5 Width - Defines the number of character positions allocated for that variable’s data in the fixed-width file. Wider fields accommodate longer responses.

6 Start Card - Indicates the number of the card where the variable begins. Used in Quantum templates, which can store data across multiple cards when record length exceeds the card limit.

7 Start - Specifies the starting character position of the variable on the card.

8 End Card - Identifies the card on which the variable ends (useful if a variable spans across multiple cards).

9 Finish - Specifies the ending character position of the variable on the card. Together with Start, it defines the full span of the variable’s placement.

10 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.

11 Delete (trash icon) - Removes the variable from the template configuration.

12 More Options (ellipsis) - Opens a menu with additional actions for the selected variable, letting you move down or move to bottom.

13 Create Template - Saves and finalizes the template setup, making it ready for use in data export.