REDCap How to Guides

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REDCap How-to Guides

We have collected here a number of how-to guides that will let you get the most out of REDCap. If you would like a guide to a feature that isn't currently present in this list, please email REDCap support requesting its creation and we'll create one for you.

Accounts & Logging In

Basic Concepts

  • Record Identifiers and Renaming a Record
    A quick explainer about what REDCap record identifiers (IDs) are and how they work, plus instructions on how you can "rename" a record (update it's ID).
  • Branching Logic
    Branching logic enables you to show or hide a given variable (question) based on the values of one or more other variables in your project.
  • Piping
    Piping allows you to take information previously entered into a REDCap record and display it elsewhere on the same or a different form.
  • Public Survey Links
    You can set up your project so that it has a Public Survey Link (i.e. a static URL that can be shared with anyone via email, social media etc.)
  • Exporting a Data Dictionary
    You can export a project's data dictionary either as a backup, to edit in Excel or a similar tool, or to serve as the basis for creating a new project.
  • Importing a Data Dictionary
    An exported data dictionary can be used to populate a new project with the same forms and fields as the original.
  • Surveys
    REDCap can allow you to send out surveys to study participants via email or (using a companion service) SMS.
  • Copying projects
    If an existing project is similar to one you want to create, you are able to copy the project with or without the data and make modifications to suite the needs of the new project.

Intermediate Concepts

  • SPSS Import not working
    Use the data quality rules and SPSS export settings.
  • Adding HTML Tags into Instrument Fields
    REDCap enables the use of HTML tags with the fields on an instrument to enhance the usability of the forms.
  • Exporting REDCap Project Logging file
    REDCap logs all activity within a project, this audit logging is able to be exported as a CSV file.
  • Code book and data issues register examples
    This is a sample code book and issues register. Including such a register in your project helps with the analysis and interpretation of the data.
  • Backing up your project structure
    To back up your project structure, you can either export your data dictionary as a CSV, or your project as a whole as an XML file, with or without the data.
  • Recovering Deleted or Overwritten Record Data
    If you delete or overwrite data in one of your REDCap records by mistake, you can recover the lost information using the Logging function and some elbow grease.
  • Updating Already-Scheduled ASIs or Email Alerts
    If you are using Email Alerts or Automated Survey Invitations (ASIs) in your project that are sent after a delay, and part-way through your study you need to change either the content or timing of these emails, this guide will show you how to retroactively apply these changes to your scheduled-but-not-yet-sent ASIs/alerts.
  • ASI Tips and Tricks
    Several tips to help get the most out of REDCap's Automated Survey Invitations (ASIs) feature.