CSV (Comma Separated Values) Data can be exported from the active WISCO Survey data (DBF) file.

The first few rows of a CSV data file contain information about the data. These rows are called header rows. The number of header rows, and the information they contain varies depending on the source used to create the CSV file. We have seen each header row contain question text, question text choices, column labels, and field names. We've also the question text and text choices in the same header row. There is no uniform standard for header rows in a CSV file.

Rows after the header rows are called data rows. Each data row is called a record. One record contains all responses for one survey. The total number of records (data rows) indicate the total number of surveys that were submitted. Some CSV files place additional identifying data at the beginning of each CSV record, before the response for the first survey question. Some CSV files place the additional identifying data at the end of the record. Each record is made of fields. Fields are separated by a comma. Each field contains one data item. There is no uniform way to represent data items.

WISCO Survey uses one field to store responses for each survey question. Some WISCO Survey questions can have up to 25 parts, and all parts are stored together in one DBF field. These parts (data items) must be separated into separate fields in a CSV file. WISCO Survey optionally stores identification data (Extra Fields) at the end of each record in the DBF data file.

The first tabbed page 'Single Question Summary' shows your existing survey questions, and related question information.

Data in the WISCO Survey DBF file is displayed in this table. The top row indicates the Question numbers. The labels in the left column indicate the record number.

The table on the left side is automatically filled with information from the WISCO Survey SVP question file. The first column indicates the question number. The third column indicates the number of fields that will be used in the CSV record if the question is included in the exported CSV file. The fourth column contains the short description Question Topic. Question topics were entered on the Design Menu - Edit Questions - Option/Values tab. The last two columns indicate the question type and description.

The second column "Inc.' provides check boxes to indicate if the responses from this question should be included in the CSV file. If this check box is marked, the responses are included.

WISCO Survey outputs the CSV data using the same method for questions of the same type. In other words, all single choice question types will be exported the same way, using the selection chosen on the right side of this screen. Choose the methods that creates compatible data for the program that will use the CSV data file.

For example, a very simple survey question could ask 'What is your favorite color?' with choices A. red, B. blue, and C.yellow. The data could be output a number of valid ways. For example, if the chosen choice was blue, the data could be output as the letter choice 'B, the actual text 'blue', or the number 2 representing the second choice in the list. If the person did not make a choice, the data could be output as blank, represented by a space, represented by -1, or a letter (Z) out of the range of choices.

The total number of data fields in each CSV data record is displayed. Questions are selected by either marking the check boxes in the table on the left side of the screen, or by clicking the 'Mark All Check Boxes' button. Check marks can be cleared by clicking the 'Clear All Check Boxes' button. After the 'Count Selected CSV Fields' button is clicked, the total field count is displayed.

Some software programs have a maximum number of fields that are accepted from a CSV record. For example, Microsoft Excel can import CSV files, and displays one record per column. Microsoft Excel has a maximum of 255 columns. Importing a CSV record with more than 255 fields can cause some versions of Microsoft Excel to exhibit strange behavior.

When this button is clicked, the CSV file is created using your settings, and displayed on the fourth tabbed page 'View CSV Data'. The CSV file has not been saved so you can preview the CSV records prior to saving. If you are satisfied with the CSV file that was created, you can enter a filename in the edit box, and click the 'Save Converted CSV Data' button. the file will be saved in the same folder as the survey questions and full DBF data file.

Each line of the CSV file is either a header row or a data row. The entire contents of each line can usually not be displayed, even if you have the screen maximized. Marking the checkbox, will display the entire contents of the line the mouse if on top of in a yellow hint window. As you move the mouse to different lines, the CSV record in the window changes appropriately. If the check box is not marked, a hint window is not displayed.