Series are for situations where you want to repeat the registration of a variable or a set of variables multiple times in a data entry, e.g., if you want to register the weight of a study object at multiple dates. Consider using a series when you have two or more repeating measurements of variables. A series can contain just one variable (e.g., weight) or multiple variables (e.g., a large panel of blood samples).
Create series
Series are created in the variable window.
Go to the "Variables” window
Click “+ New” on the right side of the window.
Select “New series”
Enter the name of the series.
Click "Create"
Series are marked with a dark green line both in the variable window and in the dataset window.
Add variables to a series.
You can now start populating your series with variables, either by (1) using variables you have already created or by (2) creating new ones from within the series. This must be done in the grid view of the variable page:
Adding existing variables to the series
Drag and drop the variables (or variable groups) into the series’ card
Creating new variables within the series
Click on the series’ card. The “Edit series” card will open on the right side of the screen.
Click “+ New variable”
Variable groups can be added to a series in the same way (Click "+ New variable group").
It is also possible to import variables from an existing file by clicking "Import variables"
NB: If you have started registering data in a variable, the previously registered data will be lost if you add the variable to a series. Therefore, create the series with all the variables before you start registering data.
Series settings
It is possible to make custom settings for a series, such as:
Edit the series' name
Set an identifier
Set aggregation variables with defined functions
Edit series' name
Click on the card of the series you want to configure to open the “Edit Series” card
Click the “settings wheel” icon to open settings.
Change the name of the series
Close the "Edit series" card by clicking the X in the upper right corner
Set identifier
Click on the card of the series you want to configure to open the “Edit Series” card
Click the “settings wheel” icon to open settings.
Choose from the drop-down menu under "Identifier" which of the variables in your series to assign. This variable will be used to identify when/where the other variables in the same subentry were registered.
Close the "Edit series" card by clicking the X in the upper-right corner
Set aggregation variable and function
You can define several aggregation variables within a series with defined aggregation functions. When one or more aggregation variables are selected, the aggregated variables will be visible in the dataset view. If you don't set any aggregation variables, the series will not be visible in the dataset view, and you must open the entry to see the values registered within the series. NB: You can't use calculated variables as the aggregation variable.
Click on the card of the series you want to configure to open the “Edit Series” card
Click the “settings wheel” icon to open settings.
Click "+ Add aggregation rule"
Choose from the drop-down menu under "Aggregation variable" which of the variables in your series to assign.
Choose from the drop-down menu under "Aggregation function", which function will be used. The available functions depend on the data type of the selected variable. For numeric variables, the functions include Mean, Sum, Median, Min, Max, Earliest modified, and Latest modified. The latter two are available for all variable types.
Save each aggregation variable by checking the check mark next to the name at the top of the aggregation rule card.
Repeat from Step 3 to add more aggregation rules
To delete an aggregation rule, click on the trash can icon on the right side of the aggregation rule card (This will appear when you hover over the card.).