Survey platforms commonly export responses to "choose multiple" or "select all that apply" questions as a single delimited cell — for example: "Option A; Option B; Option C". This format is not compatible with Dedoose's descriptor import requirements.
This Excel macro automates the reformatting process by separating each possible option into its own column while also logging yes/no if that choice was selected for that specific case/participant. It reads your delimiter-separated column, identifies all unique response options, and expands them into individual binary columns — one per unique option — ready for import into Dedoose.
Download from the Official Source
Always download a fresh copy of the macro directly from the link at the bottom of this guide. It will appear as a link in the bottom of this guide (picture below).
Do not use a file that has been shared via email, chat, or file transfer from another user — unauthorized copies may have been altered and could pose a security risk to your device.
Enabling the Macro (Windows & Mac)
When you first open the file, Microsoft Office may display a security warning banner at the top of the spreadsheet. This is a standard built-in protection for macro-enabled files.
You may see a bar like this at the top of Excel:
Steps to Unblock the File (Required on First Use)
Complete these steps before opening the file for the first time:
- Close the file if it is currently open.
- Locate the macro file in your folder.
- Click once on the file to select it — do not double-click to open it.
- Right-click on the file and select Properties.
On Windows, the Properties window looks like this:
5. In the Properties window, check the Unblock checkbox at the bottom, then click OK. You can now open the file and run the macro.
If prompted to enable ActiveX controls, follow these steps:
- Select File, then Options.
- Select Trust Center, then Trust Center Settings.
- Select ActiveX Settings.
- Choose: Prompt me before enabling all controls with minimal restrictions.
- Click OK, then OK again to save.
Run the Macro
Before running the macro you may need to close and reopen the file if you followed the above steps.
- Click the 'Run file' button
- Select Your Survey File: A file browser dialog will open. Navigate to your survey export file and select it.
Select the Column to Reformat: A prompt will ask which column contains your multi-select responses. Enter the column letter or number as indicated.
- Enter the Delimiter: Type the character used to separate values within the cell (e.g., a semicolon ; or comma , ). This must match exactly what appears in your data.
- Choose a Column Header Prefix (Optional): You will be asked whether to add a prefix to the new column headers. This helps identify the new binary columns in Dedoose.
- Enter Your Prefix (If Selected Yes): If you selected Yes in the previous step, enter your desired prefix text. The new column headers will follow the format: Prefix_OptionName.
Review Unique Options: The macro will display a list of all unique response values it detected. Verify these look correct before the columns are generated.
- Confirm Completion: When the macro finishes successfully, a confirmation message will appear. Your file is now ready for import into Dedoose.
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