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any caveats to using VV export

  • jboogie21
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8 years 11 months ago #118625 by jboogie21
any caveats to using VV export was created by jboogie21
Are there any potential issues I should be aware of when using VV export process to update an active survey?

My specific case example is that I have a large survey that is currently active and gathering responses as expected. However, it was put up in a relative rush and there are a few things that I would like to tweak to make it flow better for both users and employees who process responses (i.e. adding two basic question types, modifying calculations to have notifications work better). I'm not deleting any questions, rearranging a large portion of questions, or modifying already submitted responses.

I guess what I'm really asking is, at what point does VV export/import become unreliable for changing a survey? That is, the potential for data corruption/loss greatly increases?

Thanks,
Jason
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8 years 11 months ago #118632 by Ben_V
Replied by Ben_V on topic any caveats to using VV export
Impossible to add questions to an active survey (or change question type) :(
You have to desactive the survey... so when you'll reactivate it you will see 0 responses; The 2nd problem is that you can't reimport a vv file (with past saved answers) so easily because new added question(s) column(s) are missing; In other words survey structure have changed.

To add new questions, you have to:

1) Backup the DB
2) Backup the DB
3) Backup the DB
4) Export a lsa file (survey+answers) if available (new LS versions)

5) Export the vv file with the answers ( + make a copy of this file )
7) Desactivate your survey and add or fix your questions
8) Open the vv file for edition (most complicated part of the process) :
- adapt the headings adding one column for each new question (exact questions Ids needed)
- adapt answers rows adding a blank or n/a response (comma separated) for the new question(s)
9) Reactivate the survey and import the vv file.

Obviously, you won't need #1, #2, #3, & #4 steps

Benoît

EM Variables => bit.ly/1TKQyNu | EM Roadmap => bit.ly/1UTrOB4
Last Releases => 2.6x.x goo.gl/ztWfIV | 2.06/2.6.x => bit.ly/1Qv44A1
Demo Surveys => goo.gl/HuR6Xe (already included in /docs/demosurveys)
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8 years 11 months ago #118667 by jboogie21
Replied by jboogie21 on topic any caveats to using VV export
Thanks Ben for the response. I need some clarification as I am not a DB guru. I'm looking at the manual located here , and following these basic instructions:
The method for using VV-Import and VV-Export is as follows:
Create a new survey and copy the structure of the original one. If necessary modify this new survey so it has the changes you want.
Activate the new survey
Perform a VV-Export from the _old_ survey
Perform the VV-Import into the _new_ survey

Above is what I did, and it seemed to work. I didn't open the export file to change anything. From what I can see the VV exported responses from the old survey matched up with the corresponding questions in the new survey (including when I imported the token table from old to new). There is an obvious blank column with the newly added questions.

So now I'm looking for guidance to make sure I'm not missing anything in this process (aside from backing up, because I always do it all the time ;) ).
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8 years 11 months ago #118669 by Ben_V
Replied by Ben_V on topic any caveats to using VV export
2 good news:
First there is no need to be or become a "DB guru" :)

Now, if everything seems ok with no mistake when you browse the imported answers in the admin, I think you can stop worry because you have all correct !

Benoît

EM Variables => bit.ly/1TKQyNu | EM Roadmap => bit.ly/1UTrOB4
Last Releases => 2.6x.x goo.gl/ztWfIV | 2.06/2.6.x => bit.ly/1Qv44A1
Demo Surveys => goo.gl/HuR6Xe (already included in /docs/demosurveys)
The following user(s) said Thank You: jboogie21
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