Download Datafile Larger than 256 fields into Excel

Q. My data file is larger than 256 fields and I cannot load it into Excel. When I open the data file in Excel it tells me Loaded with errors or Not fully loaded

A. Excel only allows 256 columns. If your data file is larger than this it will not load into Excel. Since Excel will only hold 256 fields, break the data files up into subsets. Subsets are determined by you, for example, Q1 through Q25. Do the following:

1. Download a Record Layout. This option is available in the Results menu located on the Main toolbar. You will see that this record layout identifies the number of fields and what is in these fields for your survey. Look at the last data field will determine the total length of each record.
2. Identify the first Question ID in the subset.
3. Identify the last Question ID in the subset.
   
   A subset cannot begin or end within the middle of a question set. For example, you may have a data file layout that reads:
   
   Field 1 - Q1
   Field 2 - Q2
   Field 3 - Q3
   Field 4 - Q4-R1
   Field 5 - Q4-R2
   Field 6 - Q4-R3
   Field 7 - Q4-R4
   Field 8 - Q5
   Field 9 - Q6
4. When Identifying a subset you could NOT download Q1 through Q4-R2. You would have to download Q1 through Q4-R4. Similarly you could NOT download Q4-R2 through Q6. You would have to do Q4-R1 through Q6.
5. Click Results from the Main menu.
6. Select Download Data.
7. In the option labeled Fields to Retrieve, select Subset. A new menu item appears below the Fields to Retrieve option displaying two buttons.
8. Click From Question... and select the first question in the subset.
9. Click To Question... button and select the second question in the subset.
10. Click Save to begin the download process.