How to Troubleshoot Common Problems in Displayr and also some FAQs about Variables and Variable Sets

Introduction

This article covers some common troubleshooting topics and also some FAQs about variables and variable sets in Displayr.

For more information about working with variables and variable sets, see Learn More About Variables and Variable Sets and Understanding Variable Sets in Displayr.

Requirements

A Displayr Document

Method

Show each row in a variable set or grid as separate tables:

When working with data in a variable set or grid format, you may want to see results for one variable at a time or calculate different values for the individual attributes. Below, I will show you how to split your variable set to show results for each variable.

Your table may look something like this:

To update the results to show multiple tables, take these steps:

1. In the Data Sets tree, select the variable set. If you plan to use the original variable set elsewhere in your project, first make a copy of the variable set by going to Toolbar > Duplicate.
2. Click Toolbar > Split.
3. The variable set will now separate out into individual variables. Drag these new variables onto the Page to create separate tables:

Treat the data in your variable set as a scale and show the overall average for each row:

To get a table of averages, take these steps:

1. In the Data Sets tree, select the variable set. If you plan to use the original variable set elsewhere in your project, first make a copy of the variable set by going to Toolbar > Duplicate.
2. From the Object Inspector, go to Properties > GENERAL > Structure change the drop-down to Numeric - Multi
3. Drag the variable set onto the Page

Calculate Top 2 (T2B) or Bottom 2 (B2B) Boxes, and show only those results in a table:

To calculate a Top 2 Box (Love and Like), take these steps:

1. In the Data Sets tree, select the variable set.
2. From the Object Inspector, go to Properties > TRANSFORMATIONS > Top 2 boxes.
3. Click the Fix button when the orange warning message appears in the object inspector.
4. Double-check that the items selected in the Count this Value column have been checked (adjust as required), then click OK.

Drag the new variable onto the page to create a table that includes only the Top 2 Box (Love and Like) results:

To create a Bottom 2 Box (Hate and Dislike):

1. In the Data Sets tree, select the variable set.
2. From the Object Inspector, go to Properties > TRANSFORMATIONS > Bottom 2 boxes.
3. Click the Fix button when the orange warning message appears in the object inspector.
4. Double-check that the items selected in the Count this Value column have been checked (adjust as required), then click OK.

Drag the new variable onto the page to create a table that includes only the Top 2 Box (Hate and Dislike) results:

Note that you can create Top K and Bottom K boxes, as well as Top 3 and Bottom 3 boxes, by selecting the appropriate items from Properties > TRANSFORMATIONS. When selecting Top K and Bottom K boxes, you have the ability to specify exactly how many categories should be included in the calculation.

The numeric data values of your variable will be used to assign the top and bottom categories when creating box scores. For example, if you have a flipped 5-point rating scale, where 1 = Love and 5 = Hate, Displayr will use the highest numeric values when assigning the Top box score (Dislike + Hate), and the lowest numeric values when assigning the Bottom box (Love + Like) score. Ensure that you are accounting for flipped scales when creating your box scores.

How do I create a new variable?

There are a number of ways to create new variables, including group variables into a variable set, creating a filter variable, creating custom variables, etc. For more information about which option is best suited for your project's needs, see 10 Ways to Create New Variables in Displayr

The NET does not add up to 100%

See How to Rebase Multiple Response Data in Variable(s) to NET

How do I rebase one question based on another question?

See How to Rebase One Question Based on Another Question

How do I band a numeric variable into categories?

This can be done using drag-and-drop, R, or JavaScript. See:

How to Band Numeric Variables Using the Drag and Drop Method

How to Band Numeric Variables Using R

How to Band Numeric Variables Using JavaScript

See Also

How to Combine Variable Sets as a Grid