Custom Values: Uploading Numeric Data

Custom Values variables are a special type of Survey Variable that allow you to add new information about your respondents to your survey data. Get to this feature by going to the Survey Variable section under the [Build Survey tab, under the Questions tab — scroll to the very bottom to find the Variables section], then checking the Custom Variable box.

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What the numeric value represents is totally up to you. Different applications for custom values variables include:

• Upload segment assignment or group identification. For example, your segment typing tool returns values of 1 for Segment 1, 2 for Segment 2, 3 for segment 3. Upload them all at once, rather than having to specify respondents.

• Upload Gabor Granger final values. The final Gabor Granger value (i.e. the final value they provided in a Gabor Granger exercise) is provided by Glass in raw data. In addition to the automated analysis in Glass crosstabs, uploading this as a custom values variable lets you create groups based on those responses (i.e. willing to pay less than $10 versus more than $10).

• Upload a score you calculated manually using respondent data. For example, based on two questions asking use frequency and quantity per use, you calculated their total consumption in Excel and want to add this to your survey data.

More details on the numeric value:

The value uploaded can be a positive or negative number, a decimal, or a zero.

The value for a respondent ID can be blank (no information). Respondents without information can be excluded from averages and do not count as zero.

Only one value per respondent ID can be uploaded for a Custom Values Variable. Use a separate Custom Values variable for each numeric value you wish to add.

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To build a new variable:

1. Navigate to the Build Survey → Questions tab.

2. Scroll to the bottom and click New Variable.

3. A new window appears with fields to create your new variable.

In this window:

• The Title is the name of the new custom variable you’re creating — this is what appears in the Variables list on the left-hand panel. Enter the name you want to give your Custom Values variable.

• Check the box underneath the Title that says “Custom Variable”. Glass will then automatically save your variable [this may take a minute].

• Two new areas will appear to help you create your custom values variable: The Upload Custom Values area and Wave Data area.

To upload the values you want to use to create a Custom Values Variable:

1. Create a CSV file with two columns:

• The RespondentID from your survey in the first column.

• The numeric value you want to upload.

• You do not need text column headings. Begin your data will row 1. However, if a text column heading is present in row 1, it will be ignored.

2. Click on “Upload Custom Values” to read the instructions on file size and content.

3. Click on “Upload CSV” once you are ready to add your data.

What will happen:

• Once the upload is complete, the Wave Data area will indicate the number of respondents with data uploaded for each wave in your survey.

• You can now create segments using the numeric values you uploaded. The Title you provided is now search-able as the Question.

The new custom values variable you created is available to create banner points and will appear in cross tabs.

You can upload information for additional respondent ID’s at a later time. For example, you can upload data for a new wave of respondents.

• Information added for new respondent ID’s will not over-write existing information.

• Information added will reflected in the wave associated with the respondent ID.

To change or remove data you have uploaded, you can clear the data.

• Select the Clear Data button (red) for the Wave of data you wish to remove.

• If desired, replace data you cleared using the by selecting the Upload CSV button, and uploaded your fresh data.

• It is not possible to change just one respondent. You must clear the entire wave and re-upload all wave respondents.

However, you cannot change an already-uploaded value. If you wish to change an already-uploaded numeric value for a respondent, delete your entire variable and create a new, fresh version with the correct data.

These definitions export automatically into the Definitions tab of your Crosstab export, allowing you to see the logic behind every segment.

Pro Tip: Use clear, descriptive segment names – they’ll appear in filters and Crosstabs exactly as entered.