User Data Variables

User Data Variables describe how variables display and behave within the User Data grid. This page explains how different variable types render, how editing works, and how to customize the view.

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Overview

When viewing User Data for a group session, variables appear as columns in a spreadsheet-like grid. Each variable type has specific display and editing behaviors.

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Variable Display by Type

Text Variables

Aspect	Behavior
Display	Plain text, truncated if too long
Editor	Text input field
Sorting	Alphabetical (A-Z, Z-A)

Number Variables

Aspect	Behavior
Display	Numeric value
Editor	Number input (supports decimals)
Sorting	Numeric (low to high, high to low)

Boolean Variables

Aspect	Behavior
Display	"Yes" or "No" text
Editor	Dropdown with Yes/No options
Sorting	Groups by Yes/No

Datetime Variables

Aspect	Behavior
Display	Formatted date and time
Editor	Date/time picker
Sorting	Chronological

Enum Variables

Aspect	Behavior
Display	Selected option text
Editor	Dropdown with predefined options
Sorting	By option value

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Grid Features

Column Headers

Each variable displays as a column with:

• Variable name as header
• Sort controls (click header to sort)
• Filter input below header

Cell Editing

Inline Editing:

1. Click any editable cell
2. The appropriate editor appears based on variable type
3. Make your change
4. Press Enter or click away to save

Modal Editing:

1. Click the Edit button for a row
2. All editable fields appear in a form
3. Make changes to multiple fields
4. Click Save to apply all changes

Read-Only Cells

Cells appear read-only when:

• The variable is marked as non-editable in the schema
• The session is closed
• The user lacks edit permissions

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Variable Panel

The Variable Panel controls which variables are visible in the grid:

Showing/Hiding Variables

1. Expand the Variable Panel section
2. Each variable has a checkbox
3. Check to show, uncheck to hide
4. Changes apply immediately

Use Cases for Hiding Variables

• Focus on specific data - Hide irrelevant fields temporarily
• Reduce clutter - Show only what you need to see
• Export preparation - Show only fields you want to export

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Mandatory vs Optional Variables

Mandatory Variables (Always Visible)

These typically include:

• First Name
• Last Name
• Email

Mandatory variables:

• Cannot be hidden from the grid
• Must have values for every user
• Appear first in the column order

Optional Variables

Custom variables you've defined:

• Can be shown or hidden as needed
• May have empty values
• Appear after mandatory variables

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Data Validation

When editing values, the system validates:

Type	Validation
Text	No validation (any text allowed)
Number	Must be a valid number
Boolean	Must select Yes or No
Datetime	Must be a valid date/time
Enum	Must select from defined options

Invalid entries show an error message and are not saved.

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Sorting and Filtering

Sorting

Click a column header to sort:

• First click: Ascending (A-Z, low to high, oldest first)
• Second click: Descending (Z-A, high to low, newest first)
• Third click: Remove sort

Filtering

Use the filter row below headers:

• Type text to filter that column
• Filters are case-insensitive
• Multiple column filters work together (AND logic)

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Best Practices

1. Use the Variable Panel - Hide columns you don't need to reduce visual clutter

2. Sort by relevant fields - Sort by status or date to find records quickly

3. Filter before bulk actions - Use filters to isolate the records you need

4. Check after edits - Verify changes saved correctly

5. Export filtered views - Filters affect what gets exported

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Questions?

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us. Alternatively, you can submit an issue on this platform.

Useful Links:

User Data - https://help.acenji.com/#/./shared-concepts/variable-center/user-data/index Global Variables - https://help.acenji.com/#/./shared-concepts/variable-center/settings/global-variables/index Group Session Variables - https://help.acenji.com/#/./shared-concepts/variable-center/settings/group-session/group-session-variables/index

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