Reference Manual > Variables > Grid variable set

A grid variable set is a group of variables that can be used to make grid variables and grid tables. Each variable in the set asks the same question but for a different element.

Variables in a grid variable set must all have the same type of response. For single-coded and multi-coded questions they must all have the same responses.

Grid variable sets have a common name followed by a special character followed by numbers or letters.

The special character can be:

•An underscore (_) which is normally used

•A % sign which may be used when Classic projects are upgraded to Companion

•A full stop (.) which is often used in imported projects

A typical grid variable set could be named VQ3_1, VQ3_2, VQ3_3, and VQ3_4. All with the same responses and questions texts that differ only in the part that is the element text. For example:

VQ3_1 Please rate the food

VQ3_2 Please rate the drink

VQ3_3 Please rate the service

VQ3_4 Please rate the ambiance

The element texts are the parts that differ in each question: "food", "drink", "service" and "ambiance".

A grid variable set can be used directly to make a grid table by selecting one of them as the rows. We recommend making the two special grid variables whose names begin with VGRIDE_ and VGRIDT_ and using those for grid tables.