is there a way to design a project, or any part(s) of one, outside of Manager?
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I'm starting to experiment with creating my first EpiData project, with the latest (non-classic) version of the software. I've encountered a few questions/issues, which I'll post in separate email messages, for clarity in threads on the List.
First, is there a way to design a project, or any part(s) of one, outside of Manager? From what I've read, there was an intent to make project design more of a GUI, point-and-click activity. But for programmers, writing a text file in an editor is more efficient.
If not designing the whole project, then, for example, defining sets of value labels?
Thanks.
--Chris Ryan
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On Nov 1, 2025, Chris wrote:
First, is there a way to design a project, or any part(s) of one, outside of Manager? From what I've read, there was an intent to make project design more of a GUI, point-and-click activity. But for programmers, writing a text file in an editor is more efficient.
If not designing the whole project, then, for example, defining sets of value labels?
Hi Chris,
The new EpiData project was designed to be created in a GUI, as you have seen. The project file format has not been fully documented, but it’s pretty easy to see if you look in the XML of an EPX file. This single project file documents all of the fields, value labels, etc. I have, on occasion, played around with and EPX file to try some things out using an editor that will highlight xml.
You could add value label sets to an existing project this way.
On Nov 1, 2025, Chris wrote:
Say for example I have 2 variables, V1 and V2.
If V1 = "dog", I want the choices in the pick list (what classic EpiData would call LEGAL values) for V2 to be "beagle", "collie", and "mutt"
But if V1 = "cat", I want the choices in the pick list (what classic EpiData would call LEGAL values) for V2 to be "tabby", "siamese", "calico"
(I'm not even sure if Classic could do that; I can't remember, it's been a while)
You could do this in Classic EpiData, but Manager and Entry are not that sophisticated. I think the way to do that with the new EpiData would be to have fields:
Species (numeric/text, with value labels) [Depending on the value jump to one of the following]
DogBreed (numeric/text, with value labels) [jump over CatType]
CatBreed (numeric/text, with value labels)
Jamie
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Thanks, Jamie! Good idea. I've just been editing the epx/xml file--not the most pleasant task, but I find it easier and faster than the mouse-driven method. Emacs provides XML syntax highlighting.
--Chris
EpiData support and user community wrote:
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On Nov 1, 2025, Chris wrote:
First, is there a way to design a project, or any part(s) of one, outside of Manager? From what I've read, there was an intent to make project design more of a GUI, point-and-click activity. But for programmers, writing a text file in an editor is more efficient.
If not designing the whole project, then, for example, defining sets of value labels?
Hi Chris,
The new EpiData project was designed to be created in a GUI, as you have seen. The project file format has not been fully documented, but it’s pretty easy to see if you look in the XML of an EPX file. This single project file documents all of the fields, value labels, etc. I have, on occasion, played around with and EPX file to try some things out using an editor that will highlight xml.
You could add value label sets to an existing project this way.
On Nov 1, 2025, Chris wrote:
Say for example I have 2 variables, V1 and V2.
If V1 = "dog", I want the choices in the pick list (what classic EpiData would call LEGAL values) for V2 to be "beagle", "collie", and "mutt"
But if V1 = "cat", I want the choices in the pick list (what classic EpiData would call LEGAL values) for V2 to be "tabby", "siamese", "calico"
(I'm not even sure if Classic could do that; I can't remember, it's been a while)
You could do this in Classic EpiData, but Manager and Entry are not that sophisticated. I think the way to do that with the new EpiData would be to have fields:
Species (numeric/text, with value labels) [Depending on the value jump to one of the following]
DogBreed (numeric/text, with value labels) [jump over CatType]
CatBreed (numeric/text, with value labels)
Jamie
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