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Field Embedding is the ultimate way to customize surveys and data collection instruments to make them look exactly how you want. Field Embedding is a feature that allows you to reposition field elements on a survey page or data entry form so that they get embedded in a new location on that same page. Embedding fields gives users greater control over the look and feel of your instrument.

 The Process

Creating the fields

  1. Enter REDCap project > Left Menu > Designer > Enter instrument of choice > “Add Field” at desired location

  2. Create fields in Online Designer as you normally would one after the other

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2. Embedding the fields for aesthetics

  1. “Add field” at desired location for a field that will embed the other fields within it

    1. If you are combining embedded fields to view together – Field type: descriptive field (or header if section break is desired)

    2. If you are embedding a text field as an option on another field – Field type: radio or dropdown

    3. Tables are often a great resource to align embedded fields

    4. “Use the Rich Text Editor” to access formatting including tables

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  2. Place the REDCap variable name of the field you wish to embed inside braces/curly brackets - e.g., {first_name} - and place it in the Field Label, Field Note, Section Header, or Choice Label of another field on that same instrument.

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    1. Example of a table of embedded text fields:

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      The online designer looks like this ^

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      The form then looks like this ^ where the first_name and last_name fields are not visible, except within the table as embedded fields

    2. Example of a radio field with an embedded text field for “other” option:

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      The field editor field looks like this to build the radio field ^

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      The online designer looks like this ^

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      The form then looks like this ^

3. Adding the field icons: The usual icons pertaining to a field's Data History, Field Comments, and (if enabled) Missing Data Codes can be displayed on a data entry form (but not on a survey) next to the embedded field's new location by appending :icons to the variable name inside the braces/curly brackets - e.g., {last_name:icons}. The icons do not appear by default but only when the ':icons' signifier is attached.

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4. For reference a video on the subject can be found here: Video on Field Embedding

What the User Sees

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