Cross-Survey References

Pull data from previously completed surveys for longitudinal studies and follow-up workflows.

Syntax and Requirements

Use the syntax {survey_reference:question_name} to pull data from previously completed surveys. Survey references are auto-generated (s1, s2, s3) when surveys are created and are displayed on survey cards. The referenced survey must have an approved response for the same paper. Question name must exist in that survey. This only works within the same paper context.

Syntax: {survey_reference:question_name}

References: Auto-generated as s1, s2, s3

Requirement: Must have approved response for same paper

Scope: Only works within same paper context

Examples

Reference baseline score: Your baseline score was {baseline:total_score}

Calculate change: {current_score} - {baseline:score}

Percentage change: ({followup:weight} - {baseline:weight}) / {baseline:weight} * 100

Use Case: Longitudinal Study

Survey 1 (Baseline) collects initial weight, blood pressure, and cholesterol. Survey 2 (Month 3 Follow-up) shows changes from baseline using syntax like "Weight change: {weight} - {baseline:weight} lbs". Survey 3 (Month 6 Follow-up) shows progress from both surveys: "Baseline: {baseline:weight} | Month 3: {month3:weight} | Current: {weight}". This approach is simpler than ODK's pulldata function, which requires CSV file setup and complex syntax like pulldata('baseline', 'score', 'paper_id', ${paper_id}). IDEAL automatically matches papers without additional configuration.