Please note: The material in this page is intended to: 1) describe OHSU's model of support and OCTRI operations, and 2) supplement the help material integrated into REDCap itself. If you are interested in learning more about this feature, check REDCap for a video, check the REDCap FAQ, and review the documentation in REDCap.


Description

Manually import data to add new records, add new data to existing records, or modify data in existing records.

Feature Type

Elective advanced project application available on every project.

Fees

No charges for use or for basic help via drop-in and email.

Eligible Projects/Project Status Dependency

    • Project Status 
      • Development = for practice
      • Production = for uploading or downloading real data
    • Support Track
      • Standard Service for Research 
      • Standard Service for Non-Research
      • Self-Service for Research 

Request Process

  • Does not need to be requested.
  • Elective functionality that is available for use, out of the box, on every project.

REDCap Skills, Experience, Knowledge

  • Understand core data collection functionality, specifically:
    • Record id

    • Longitudinal setup and repeating forms

  • Familiar with Codebook or Data dictionary, specifically:

    • Variable names

    • Validation rules
    • Raw values
    • Calculated fields
    • Branching logic
  • Event Setup for Longitudinal Projects
    • Unique event names and form assignments

REDCap User Rights

  • User permissions needed for importing:
    • Permission to use to the import tool.
      • If you have permission to this tool there is a Data Import Tool link in the Applications section of the left-hand navigation menu of your project
    • Permission to create records.
      • If you have create records permission, there will be an Add/Edit Records link in Data Collections section of the left-hand navigation menu of your project
    • Permission to view and edit the forms which contain the fields into which you are importing data
      • If you have view and edit form permissions, you will both be able to open the form for any record in your project and there will be Save buttons on the form

Installation, Configuration and Implementation

User Permissions

User will need permission enabled for the following:

  • Data Import Tool user right
  • Create Records user right
  • View & Edit Data Viewing Rights on the forms into which they are importing data

magnifying glass tilted right Find the Data Import Tool

Access the Data Import Tool via Lefthand Nav Menu > Applications Section > Data Import Tool

Help and Support

Email and drop-in help are available for trouble shooting using the Data Import Tool.

Importing Tips

  • Practice importing while the project is in development.
    • If your project is in production, request a test copy of your project, without data, to practice importing.
    • Start by importing a small set of data, such as 10 records, and data for fields on a single form.
  • Depending on the size of the import file, divide it into batches, based on the following characteristics or combination of characteristics:
    • Event(s)
    • Form(s)
    • Export source(s)
    • Record sub-sets
      • New records
      • Updates to existing records
    • Data sub-sets
      • New data
      • Updates to existing data



Tips & Tricks - Importing

Slide deck: Getting Started with Importing

Support Track Availability

Standard Service for Research

Self Service for Research

Standard Service for Non-Research

This is elective functionality, meaning it is available, out of the box, on every project and can be set up by a project builder to meet study specific requirements through self-directed instruction.