Data Export
Covered in this section:
About Data Export
About Data Export Views
About Data Export Formats
About Data Export Types
One of the last tasks you may need to complete will be Data export. Data export will allow to you save a copy of your guide for archival and reference purposes, as well as digitally transfer the guide for publication via your content management system (CMS). Please note that while we can provide instruction for the transfer operation, you should determine the type of data you will need or the type of data accepted by your CMS; we cannot offer any support for systems and programs beyond the Voter Guide Toolkit.
About Data Export Views
There are two views in Data Export, Race and Candidate. The views will allow you to export specific data by selecting a specific race/candidate or races/candidates. The subsequent choices and processes for data export are exactly the same.
About Data Export Formats
There are five formats for data export. You should determine what format and data is desired prior to running a data export operation. A brief description of each format follows:
- XML: Format typically used by online CMS, and other web-based applications; formatting and other values established by coding are retained.
- HTML: Basic language for use on a webpage; formatting and other values within the coding are retained.
- Tab Delimited:A tab-delimited file is a type of plain text file with a tab between each column in the text. Tab delimited files are one way to import and place data that is arranged in rows and columns, such as tables and spreadsheets. No formatting is retained except for a grid-like layout of your work.
- Text:The most universal file format (.txt). No formatting is retained. Can be accessed and or edited with a text editor or word processing program.
- Images:Candidate images in a .jpg format.
About Data Export Types
There are five formats for data export. You should determine what format and data is desired prior to running a data export operation. A brief description of each format follows:
- Normal XML: Format typically preferred for use by databases; exports entire contents of selected race(s) from your database.
- Candidate Profile: Exports complete data from selected race(s) including category, race, description, candidates (party, biofields, questions and answers).
- Candidate Contact& Bio: Exports candidate contact data and biofields from selected race(s).
- Race Questions: Exports questions from selected race(s).
- Candidate Answers:Exports candidate answers from selected race(s).
- Questions & Answers:Exports questions and answers from selected race(s).
- Candidates (Images) Exports candidate images from selected race(s).: