The format of Matrix table data when downloaded to CSV or Excell is not usable without Manipulating it.

  • chrispls
    Asked on August 21, 2014 at 8:04 AM

    I created a form to report totals for student performance by course using the matrix.  I need to download it to CVS or Excel and have it retain those columns and rows.  However it places each submission on one row with the row above the data having all the heading.  I have proved a screen shot of the form and the CVS format.  is there any way to get it to download and retain the columns and rows?

     

  • jonathan
    Replied on August 21, 2014 at 10:01 AM

    Hi,

    This is a limitation on the Matrix table field. When you download the data of Matrix table, the content/data of the matrix is being considered as one column/field only.

    This is why you will need to manually manipulate or edit the matrix field/column to add a separator/delimiter so that it become usable again.

    This is how the CSV download appears when opened with an editor

    The format of Matrix table data when downloaded to CSV or Excell is not usable without Manipulating it Screenshot 20

    As you can see, the data is a bit cryptic for immediate use. So, editing of the data is still required.

    What I suggest you try as an alternative to Matrix table is the Configurable List Widget instead.

    Use the widget to create multiple textboxes and mimic the matrix table functionality.

    Then test the downloaded data with the Configurable List widget.

    Hope this help. Please inform us if you need further assistance.

    Thanks.

     

     

     

     

  • chrispls
    Replied on August 21, 2014 at 7:47 PM

    The configurable list widget did not work.  It puts all the data in one cell in CVS format

  • jonathan
    Replied on August 21, 2014 at 9:23 PM

    Hi,

    Yes you were right. I was also able to check on this further.

    It actually is the same for both the Matrix and Configurable list -- that is, the data of the table are all in one cell.

    The format of Matrix table data when downloaded to CSV or Excell is not usable without Manipulating it Screenshot 40

     

    You may also want to try using the Spreadsheet Widget.

    Although data are still within a single column, the output is more organized than the matrix or configurable list.

    The format of Matrix table data when downloaded to CSV or Excell is not usable without Manipulating it Screenshot 51

    The format of Matrix table data when downloaded to CSV or Excell is not usable without Manipulating it Screenshot 62

     

    But if you really need the output of a table to be in a separate column/header -- then you must use multiple individual Textboxes field instead.  The output will surely assign separate column header for each individual textbox field.

    You can just mimic the positioning of each textboxes like a matrix table by arranging them in column formation using field positioning

    Hope this help. Inform us if you need further assistance.

    Thanks.