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REDCap troubleshooting

REDCap branching logic not working? Check the field name and stored code.

A branching rule can look reasonable in the Online Designer while comparing a value the field never stores. Labels are written for people; branching logic reads the underlying codes in the project definition.

FormPath reads an exported REDCap Data Dictionary CSV and translates the supported logic into a finite model. It can produce evidence about that translated model, while clearly separating conditions that still need to be tested inside REDCap.

Check a REDCap dictionary All guides

Diagnostic checklist

Work from the stored answer outward.

  1. 01

    Confirm every referenced field name

    Search the exported dictionary for each name in square brackets. A renamed, deleted, or mistyped source field cannot supply the answer the branch expects.

  2. 02

    Compare codes, not display labels

    A radio field may display “Residential” while storing “1.” The branching expression must compare the stored code.

  3. 03

    Check checkbox references carefully

    REDCap checkbox conditions name both a field and a choice code, such as [services(2)] = '1'. A stale code inside the parentheses points at the wrong option.

  4. 04

    Set runtime-dependent logic aside

    Smart variables, events, repeating instances, datediff(), and server-dependent functions require the live REDCap project. FormPath lists the unsupported dependencies it detects; project and runtime behavior outside the stated scope still requires live testing.

Example

A label used where REDCap expects a code

Both dictionaries display the same label. Only the second branch compares the code supplied by the radio field. FormPath can inspect this finite translated condition; the corrected behavior should still be confirmed in REDCap.

Branch that compares display text
field_name,field_type,select_choices_or_calculations,branching_logic
property_use,radio,"1, Residential | 2, Investment",
mortgage_status,text,,"[property_use] = 'Residential'"
Branch that compares the stored code
field_name,field_type,select_choices_or_calculations,branching_logic
property_use,radio,"1, Residential | 2, Investment",
mortgage_status,text,,"[property_use] = '1'"

Honest boundary

What this guide and analyzer do not establish.

  • FormPath translates a supported subset of a Data Dictionary CSV; it does not run inside REDCap or validate an entire project.
  • Events, repeating instruments, smart variables, datediff(), and other runtime or server behavior require native REDCap testing.
  • A clean result applies only to the completed translated scope shown in the report and is not a claim about live records, alerts, queues, or survey behavior.

Keep debugging

Related REDCap guides.

REDCap choice code changedCheck a REDCap dictionary before launch

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Ask which supported answer states are actually possible.

FormPath runs locally and exports each finding, how it was checked, and any important limits as JSON or Markdown.

Check a REDCap dictionary