Versions Compared

Key

  • This line was added.
  • This line was removed.
  • Formatting was changed.

...

width80%

Initial Considerations

...

Table of Contents
minLevel2
maxLevel2
outlinefalse
styledisc
typelist
printabletrue

...

Initial Considerations

Tip

PRO TIP-

Many users find it helpful to enter data into a test record (if records don’t already exist) before attempting to import data! Why? You can then export that same data to better understand & visualize how your data should be imported.

  • The above process is extremely helpful if you've never worked with REDCap Data Import tool.

  • You may only import ‘raw’ data values via the data import tool!

Data imports are useful when transferring data between REDCap projects, transferring data from the Electronic Health Record to a REDCap project, and when entering manually-collected data to a REDCap project.

...

The Process

...

Data being imported must match the raw, coded values associated to said field variable.

  • Use your ‘codebook’ to verify values. Coded values appear to left of the answer choice.

...

Standard examples below-

Field type

Coded value

Check boxes
(multiple answers)

Has separate box for each answer choice
     1 = checkbox is selected
     0 = checkbox is not selected

Yes - No

1 = Yes

0 = No

True - False

1 = True

0 = False

Text Box

No Coding, but may have validation requirements

Notes Box

No Coding, free text field

Calculated Field

Leave Blank, calculations are unable to be imported

Other helpful articles may include:

...

How to use the Data Import Tool

  1. Navigate to the project you'd like to import data into

  2. From the left hand ‘applications’ menu, select

...

  1. Data Import

...

  • The redcap event name (circled in red in image below) is auto generated on the "Define My Events" page. The name is formatted with the event name followed by arm name (e.g. screening_1_arm_1).  To get to the "Define My Events" page, go to "Project Setup" and click on "Define My Events" 
    Image Removed

...

  1. Tool 

...

  1. Screen Shot 2024-06-21 at 2.28.50 PM.pngImage Added

  2. Read & follow instructions 1-3 within the data import tool page to proceed

    1. Download your template in the desired format

    2. Add data to your file ensuring it matches your project setup, ie, field values, etc.

    3. Carefully choose your upload settings!

      1. View thesymbol for more information on each setting. This is a critical step! View descriptions below

  3. Click ‘Choose File’ to select your data import file

  4. After diligently confirming your upload settings are setup as desired, click ‘Upload File' to begin the data import

    Screen Shot 2024-06-21 at 2.42.09 PM.pngImage Added

  5. Review for accuracy once import is complete

Description of Upload Settings

Expand
titleClick here to view a description of upload settings

Choose an import option

  • Import in Real Time: suitable for small data files as you are unable to navigate to a new page until the upload is completed

  • Import as Background Process: should be used for large data files. You will receive an email once your file is processed. The results will be shown in the ‘View background imports’ tab.

    Screen Shot 2024-06-21 at 2.48.17 PM.pngImage Added

Display the data comparison table?

  • This is HIGHLY recommended when importing data to records that already exist. Why? You will get to review the changes being made to existing data for any errors before committing the change, thus, if something in your data file was not correct, you can cancel the changes!

Screen Shot 2024-06-21 at 3.51.45 PM.pngImage Added

Rename records?

  • View the symbol to understand how this applies to your specific project. Be mindful when renaming records.

Overwrite data with blank values?

  • Be mindful, if you select ‘Yes’ to overwrite data, this will result in permanent data loss!

File format settings

  • Ensure the format options you select here match the data file you’ve selected for import.

...

Additional Considerations

Leave Blank
Warning

REDCap may refuse to upload due to errors. Correct the mistakes it lists, save, and try to upload again. Continue to do this until it accepts the data and uploads it.

  • Once the data is uploaded and accepted, REDCap will show a summary of the changes made (as shown in image below).  To make the changes permanent, scroll to the bottom and click on "Import Data" (circled in red in image below).
  •                Image Removed

    Additional Considerations

    • If you have many project fields, but only wish to import data for 1 instrument's fields, you can obtain a template by following these steps: left menu > data exports, reports, & stats > custom selection > select desired instrument > export raw data as .csv file > open in excel, which will have the 1st row formatted as the headers needed for a data import of that instrument
    • Data imported needs to match coding schemes for variables including field type, see table for field requirements:
    Field type
    Multiple choice

    Use codes assigned to them on REDCap
    (shown in choices box when editing a field)

    Check boxes
    (multiple answers)

    Has separate box for each answer.
         1 = checkbox is selected
         0 = checkbox is not selected

    Yes - No0 = No
    1 = Yes
    True - False0 = False
    1 = True
    Text BoxNo Coding, but may have validation requirements
    Notes BoxNo coding
    Calculated Field

    ...

    For longitudinal projects, it is required to enter the redcap event name into fieldredcap_event_name

    ...

    For repeatable forms, there will be 2 additional fields:

    • redcap_repeat_instrument 

      • Provided the coded name of repeatable instrument. This can be found in your codebook. Spaces within an instrument name are represented with a underscore.

        Screen Shot 2024-06-21 at 3.39.09 PM.pngImage Added

    • redcap_repeat_instance 

      • These should go in numerical order, each line data representing the instance of.

      • ex) 2 instances:

        Screen Shot 2024-06-21 at 3.46.28 PM.pngImage Added

    ...

    For projects utilizing Data Access Groups (DAGS) , it is required to enter the ‘unique group name’ into fieldredcap_data_access_group to assign a record to a DAG group

    ...

    It’s also important to provide the record_id name exactly as you want it to appear in the UI .

    ...