What are Descriptive Popups?

Descriptive popups are custom popups of text that become visible after hovering over a specific word or phrase on a data entry form or survey.

They have two main components:

1. The link text, which should match a word or phrase used on a form or survey
2. The custom text for the popup content.

You may set a descriptive popup to work on all instruments/surveys (default) or on specific ones. Descriptive popups are a great way to convey extra information on a form or survey without the text taking up space on the page.  They may also be useful for adding definitions to complicated words to help clarify meaning. 

How to add a Descriptive Popup

To add a descriptive popup to your project, navigate to the Online Designer and select the "Descriptive Popups" button.

Select the "Add New Popup" button to add a new word or phrase that should have a popup attached. 

A new window will open with settings for creating a new descriptive popup.  Enter the exact text of the phrase you would like to have a hover popup on in the Link Text box and then the text for the description that will display on hover in the "Popup Text" box beneath. 

You may also control the environment where the descriptive popup text will be available for display.  This can be limited based on if the form is currently being viewed as a Survey versus a REDCap data entry form.  It can also be limited by specific instruments or specific pages of a survey as needed. 

If you have a UW-Madison REDCap project and have questions about Descriptive Popups please send them to REDCap@ictr.wisc.edu

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