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When uploading a data dictionary file, everything essential will be overrode! 

  • All instruments that are needed for your project, need to be included in the data dictionary file being uploaded

  • Make sure you don't just upload a single instrument, this will result in data loss

  • Read all considerations listed below before editing your Data Dictionary

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The REDCap project will store backup copies of previous data dictionaries in case a reversion is needed; but it does not store backup copies of project data.

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Unique Considerations of specific Data Dictionary changes:

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Reference the "Best Practices" Knowledge Article which provides a detailed chart of the impact specific changes will have on your project. This is relevant to users whose project is in Production mode where real data collection has begun.

Commonly requested changes and considerations to be mindful of:

Deletion of Field annotations:
Different consequences result depending upon the action tag being modified.  For example:

  • If you remove the @DEFAULT action tag, this will not affect any existing data that has been saved (i.e. the instrument was opened either in survey mode and submitted, or in data entry mode and marked "saved" when exiting).

  • If  @hidden-survey is removed, questions will show in survey instruments

  • There are far too many action tags to be able to list  the impact of data dictionary changes in this article.  Think through what the action tag does and possible ramifications. Always export your data for retrieval purposes

Changing Field Calculations:

  • Changing field calculations is a bit tricky, but as long as you do not modify the fields included in the calculation, you can always revert the calculation back. If you have existing saved data for a calculation on certain records, and then change the calculation, the existing saved data will not reflect the new calculation unless you open that record, open the instrument, and allow redcap to re-calculate.

Branching Logic Changes:

  • Branching logic changes are also tricky.

    • If you'd like to remove branching logic from a question, this action will not affect any data.

    • If you'd like to add new branching logic to a question, you'll want to think about if that question has existing data for existing records. If so, assure your existing records will meet the new logic, otherwise their data will be at risk for deletion. If you determine the existing records will not meet the new logic, then we recommend you download existing data before submitting new logic.

    • If you'd like to modify existing logic, you'll also need to consider if there are existing data for existing records that may not meet the new logic.

Changing field types:

  • Changing from radio<>dropdown is fine.

  • Changing from radio/dropdown<>checkbox is not fine because data results are stored differently.

  • Changing from calculation<>text will delete data.

  • Changing from text>note is fine, but note>text may delete data via truncation.

Changing variable names (rename a field)

  • This will simply create a new field with the new name and the old field will no longer exist (and neither will the data). Do not do this!

Renaming the instrument

  • Don't use data dictionary to rename the instrument name. The instrument status data will be lost if using data dictionary to rename the instrument. Instead, you can rename the instrument in the Online Designer.

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titleClick here to view steps on how to download/edit/ upload a new data dictionary file (in Production Mode)

  1. Go to “Project Setup”

  2. Click on “Data Dictionary” (circled in red in image below)

  3. On the next page, click on “Enter Draft Mode” (this step only applies if your project is in Production Mode//skip this step if your project is in Development)

  4. To download current data dictionary and edit it, do the following:

    1. Click on "1.) Download the current Data Dictionary "

    2. Open and edit this data dictionary on Excel

    3. Save it as a CSV file

  5. Next, go back to REDCap, scroll to bottom of the Data Dictionary page, and click on “Browse”.  Then select the data dictionary CSV file you saved

  6. Next click “Upload File”.  This will then take you to a page that summarizes if the upload was successful or not.  If it wasn’t successful, it will inform you why.  If it was successful, click on “Commit changes” > review your changes in the Online Designer.

The below steps only apply if your project is already in Production

7. Review the changes made by clicking on "View detailed summary of all drafted changes", this is located in the yellow box at the top of the "Data Dictionary" page and/or the "Online Designer" page

8. Once you have made all the changes, next submit the changes. Do this by clicking on “Submit Changes for Review”, this is located at the top of the "Data Dictionary" page and/or the "Online Designer" page (circled in red in image below). 

9. The changes will then be reviewed someone on the REDCap Support Team.  You will receive an email that either says the changes have been approved or an email that warns you of errors that may happen if the changes are approved.

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