Excel spreadsheets are common in research: codebooks, survey specs, data capture forms. REDCap cannot import Excel directly : it needs a Data Dictionary CSV. Pirai AI converts your Excel file into that CSV automatically, mapping your spreadsheet structure to the correct REDCap field types and column format.
Why Researchers Store Surveys in Excel
Many research teams design instruments in Excel before moving to REDCap: codebooks, variable lists, questionnaire specs with field types and validation rules already noted in columns. Pirai AI reads that structure and maps it to REDCap's exact Data Dictionary format : Field Name, Form Name, Field Type, Choices : so the upload works cleanly the first time.
Step-by-Step: Excel to REDCap
- 1Upload your Excel file to Pirai AIGo to platform.piraiai.com and upload your .xlsx file. This can be a question list, codebook, assessment spec, or survey design spreadsheet.
- 2Select REDCap and download the Data Dictionary CSVChoose REDCap. Pirai AI reads the tabular structure and generates a .csv file with all required REDCap Data Dictionary columns populated.
- 3Create a new empty REDCap projectLog in to REDCap, click New Project, enter a title, select Purpose, choose Empty project, and click Create Project.
- 4Upload the CSV and commitGo to Project Setup > Data Dictionary. Click Choose File, select your .csv, click Upload File. Review the summary and click Commit Changes.
- 5Review in the Online DesignerGo to the Online Designer to verify all instruments and fields. Adjust field types, validation, or branching logic as needed before data collection.
How Excel Columns Map to REDCap Fields
| Common Excel Column | REDCap Data Dictionary Column |
|---|---|
| Variable name / field code | Variable / Field Name |
| Question text / label | Field Label |
| Question type (radio, text, etc.) | Field Type |
| Answer options / response categories | Choices, Calculations, OR Slider Labels |
| Form or instrument name | Form Name |
| Validation type | Text Validation Type |
convert excel to redcap, excel to redcap data dictionary, xlsx to redcap, convert spreadsheet to redcap, excel codebook to redcap, excel survey to redcap data dictionary, redcap from excel file, excel question list to redcap, convert excel questionnaire to redcap, pirai ai excel redcap, excel to redcap csv upload, convert excel to redcap instruments.
Get Started
Upload your document at platform.piraiai.com. Select REDCap, download your Data Dictionary .csv, and upload via Project Setup > Data Dictionary > Upload File > Commit Changes.
For the full import guide, see How to Convert Word, PDF, Excel to REDCap. For more on creating REDCap Data Dictionaries, see How to Convert a Word Document to a REDCap Data Dictionary.