Data Formats

Data formats specify how data are made to look when presented in output. It is not the same as data types, which define how data are stored.

The official study design commandment...

Data types: text (string), number, date/time, Boolean (true/false)

Data formats: fixed decimal places, various date formats, 12 hour/24 hour time, true/false, yes/no

Data formats include:

• date representation - e.g. 1/12/2010, 12/1/2010, 1 December 2010, 1 Dec 10, 20101201, or using a calendar control
• time representation - e.g. 13:45 or 1:45pm
• percentages 12% instead of 0.12
• currency $12.34
• graphs or charts
• formatting text alignment (left, right, justified), style (bold, 14 point, italic), typeface (Arial)
• showing limited list data in radio buttons, e.g. Gender - Male (-) Female ( )
• showing limited list data in checkboxes, e.g. Pets owned - Dog [ ] Cat [X] Rabbit [X] Fish [ ]

Data controls include:

• normal edit (text) box
• limited lists [Access] or value lists [FMP]
• calendar control (select a date from a calendar rather than entering a date as text)