The CSV format is widely supported and can be read by many spreadsheet applications such as Microsoft Excel, Numbers and Google Docs. Raw response data is exported into one or more CSV files. In addition to the raw response data, the form's code book, field reference list, and submission metadata are also exported into separate CSV files for interpreting and analysing the raw response data. 

When exporting in CSV format, a zip file is created with the following:

  • The “Submissions” file contains a summary of all submissions which are included in the export. Only metadata is included.
  • The “Codebook” file lists every field used in the form. Each field receives a unique ID from the system. For select-type fields, each option is also listed along with its associated value.
  • For reference purposes, a “Questions” file is generated which lists each field contained in the form, the field's system-assigned ID, the text displayed and the field type.


Note: No binary or multimedia data are included in the CSV export. 




When selecting the CSV export format, you will be able to manage a few export options:



Repeating groups

You can choose how to handle repeating groups in your export:

  • By selecting "Merge all fields from non-repeating groups into a single CSV file", all non-repeating groups and nested groups will be merged into a single CSV file. Each repeating group (and nested group) will generate its own CSV file. All files will be zipped up into an archive which you can extract after downloading. 
  • By selecting "Export each group as a separate CSV file", a separate CSV file will be created for each group, nested group and page. These will all be zipped up into an archive which you can extract after downloading.


Multi-select option naming

There are also two options which can be used to determine the naming convention for multi-select field types. When exporting multi-select fields, a column/variable is generated for each available option which is then represented as "selected" (1) or "not selected" (0).


Assume you have a multi-select field "HOUSEHOLD_ITEMS" with 3 options: Television (value: TV), Radio (value: R) and Fridge (value: F):

  • By selecting "Append option values to field name", the column/variable names generated for each option will be labelled by appending the relevant option's value to the field name. E.g. "HOUSEHOLD_ITEMS_TV", "HOUSEHOLD_ITEMS_R", "HOUSEHOLD_ITEMS_F".
  • By selecting "Append option text to field name", the column/variable names generated for each option will be labelled by appending the relevant option's text to the field name. E.g. "HOUSEHOLD_ITEMS_Television", "HOUSEHOLD_ITEMS_Radio", "HOUSEHOLD_ITEMS_Fridge".


Single-select option naming

There are also two options which can be used to determine the type of data exported for single-select field types. When exporting single-select fields, you can choose whether the selected option is exported using the text or value of the option.


Assume you have a single-select field "HOUSEHOLD_ITEMS" with 3 options: Television (value: TV), Radio (value: R) and Fridge (value: F):

  • By selecting "Use the selected field's value", the option's value will be exported. E.g. "TV" is exported if you selected "Television".
  • By selecting "Use the selected field's text", the option's text will be exported. E.g. "Television" is exported if you selected "Television".