User`s guide

E-Prime User’s Guide
Chapter 5: Data Handling
Page 186
5.3.2.4 Restore the Spreadsheet
It is not uncommon to need to restore the spreadsheet to its default format (i.e., the data file’s
format when it is opened for the first time in E-DataAid). When a data file is opened, it will open
in the format in which it was saved, with the exception of filters (filters are not saved when the file
is closed). The default format is equal to collapsing the spreadsheet at the lowest level (i.e., all
data is displayed).
E-DataAid’s Restore Spreadsheet command on the View menu restores the spreadsheet to its
default format. Activating this command clears all current filters, unhides all columns, and
arranges the columns in default order. Default order is as follows:
• System variables (ExperimentName, Subject, Session)
• All session level variables in alphabetical order
• Log-level 2 (e.g., Block) and its variables in alphabetical order
• Log-level 3(e.g., Trial) and its variables in alphabetical order
• Log-level n down to the tenth log-level
5.3.3 Understand the Audit Trail
In addition to being a spreadsheet application, E-DataAid also serves as an experimenter’s
notebook, by marking edits in a different colored text, writing annotations to the file for each
modification, and allowing the user to add comments to the data file. With these features, E-
DataAid permits the user to keep track of changes that have been made to a data file. Before
editing the data, it is important to understand E-DataAid’s auditing features.
5.3.3.1 Edits
To edit a value in a cell, select the cell by clicking in it, and type the new value. When a value is
edited, the spreadsheet displays the edited value in red. In addition, when a value that is shared
by many cells is changed, as is the case with subject number, all cells sharing that value are
automatically updated to the new value when one of the cells is edited.
This feature not only saves time, because additional cells do not have to be updated, but it also
preserves the integrity of the data. That is, it prevents inconsistencies in the data file in case the
user fails to update all appropriate cells.