Data-mapped variables can be used to store the answers to questions, both numerical and categorical. When storing numerical information, a data-mapped variable can be treated in the same way as other numerical variables. Categorical values are generally stored and retrieved as text strings, that is, the response texts of a question.

As the name suggests, data-mapped variables are typically used in conjunction with one or more data-mapping files and allow Quantum specs to be written without needing column and code information. Instead, the Quantum can be written so that it automatically retrieves the information it needs from the data-mapping files used. Using this technique, you can specify conditions in your Quantum run by referring to the response texts that appear in your questionnaire, rather than having to specify the columns and codes that are involved. An example of this could be:

colors is one of your mapvar variables.

While it is possible to use data-mapped variables on their own, they do not really offer too much over what is already available. The real power of these variables comes when you start using data-mapping files.