Recode Variables

By recoding variables, you can define custom categories (i.e., survey response options) for variables to use in your crosstabs, thereby simplifying your results. For example, if a variable has response option categories of Yes, No, Don't Know, Refused, and Blank, and you want your crosstab results to lump Don't Know, Refused, and Blank into one category, then you would recode the variable with new categories for Yes, No, and None. The recoded category names are fully customizable.

Recoding variables is one method you can use to refine your crosstab results; the other method is Filter Variables. The recoding feature is available in both PDAS and RDAS.

NOTE: Recoded variables are stored in your browser cache so you can use them over and over again, even after you exit the application. However, you will no longer see your recoded variable if you clear your browser history or use a different browser.

To recode a variable, perform the following:

From the Variables pane, select the variable to recode and click the green arrow next to it.
The side bar opens that displays the categories (i.e., survey response options) for the variable. Click the Recode button to define custom categories using those response options.
Click the Add Category button to add a custom category.
If necessary, rename the custom category name. Click response option categories from the left to add to the new category. In the example below, the new category name was renamed to "Recoded_Unknown" and the response option categories of Don't Know, Refused, and Blank were added to it.
Click Save to save the new category.
Perform Steps 3 through 6 until all response option categories on the left are used.

NOTE: Any response option categories not added to a new category will be omitted from the analysis.

Click the new category name on the right to edit it. The custom categories can no longer be edited once you perform the next step.
Click Save at the bottom of the side bar to save all the new recoded categories.
The new recoded variable displays at the top of the Variables pane and is now ready to use in a crosstab.

NOTE: The original variable still displays in the Variables pane and can also be used in the crosstab.

NOTE: The export as PNG and CSV functions work with the new recoded variable as well.