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In Harmoni, you can use data from various file types as the source for new projects, visualizations, and dashboards. Harmoni automatically maps source variables into Harmoni types. 

A data source is the starting point for all you do in Harmoni. A source is a collection of data either in an imported file or a connected data store.

Direct connections allow updated data to flow into Harmoni in real time.

• Achieved using APIs (Application Programming Interface).
• If an API is available in a data collection system, we can potentially develop a direct connection to Harmoni.

Harmoni supports different direct connections, including Decipher.

In this article

1. Connect to Decipher
2. Add sources and create your project
3. Harmoni conversion process
4. Add new variable types to an existing project
5. Append sources
6. Remove Duplicates
7. Refresh Decipher sources

1. Connect to Decipher

• To connect to a Decipher source, you’ll need to know the server the data resides on and the 64-character API key of a user with access to the required source.

• You can find information on how to generate the API key here:

https://forstasurveys.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/4409469957531-Forsta-Surveys-REST-API

• Before connecting, you can select the variables you want to include in your project: Qualifiers, system and additional variables, and pipe variables.

2. Add sources and create your project

• Once connected, select the required sources and click ADD.

• The sources will be added to your project. Click OK to create the project.

• Once you add the sources to the project, each variable in Decipher will appear in the project tree using the Harmoni data type that best aligns with the Decipher data type.

3. Harmoni conversion process

After connecting to your sources you can load your Harmoni project. Direct connections allow for a real-time flow of survey data. 

When you load the Decipher project, you'll see the Project tree with all the Harmoni variable types. Harmoni automatically maps the Decipher project variables, except for system variables.

4. Add new variable types to an existing project

For an existing project, if you want to incorporate additional variables (i.e., system or pipe). 

• Select view/add sources.
• Select Add/Remove.
• This will open the sources area and display the data sources included in your project.  
• Choose to CONNECT.
• Click on the three-dot menu to access Edit and include the desired variable types.
• Once ready, select the UPDATE option.

5. Append sources

With Harmoni, you can append data sources.  Append allows you to add new variables to respondents or cases within a project when information on common respondents is captured in separate data sources. 

It is also possible to append data sources in Decipher. We only recommend this option when the number of sources becomes too difficult to manage (i.e., instead of 200 sources, you end up with 400).

• Decipher can only handle about 150 columns at a time. So if your file has more than 150 columns, you’ll need to break it into smaller files. Each file must have the “key variable” you use, e.g. UUID, psid, source, etc.
• You can prepare a clean Excel file (remove all un-needed variables/columns) rather than clicking on little boxes next to each “imported variable” you need. If you have a clean Excel file, after you pick the “key variable,” you’ll just need to click on one little box next to the “imported variable”…it’ll automatically select all the variables there.
• Ensure your Excel variable is free from unusual characters, e.g., #NULL (for no response) when a .sav file is saved as an Excel file…those need to be replaced by space.

6. Remove Duplicates

You have the option to ignore duplicates in the Decipher connection. This option is managed via personalization keys, and if you require this to be turned on, please contact Support@infotools.com.  

By turning this option on, Harmoni will leave the duplicate elements as they are rather than adding _1, _2, etc., to the label. The element will then be merged to a single element.

7. Refresh Decipher sources

To refresh the data through your Decipher connection, in the sources area, click the Refresh option from the three-dot menu on the source tile.

Where to from here?

• Learn more about data sources.
• Learn how to upload or connect to data sources.