{"id":4786,"date":"2026-04-09T12:00:06","date_gmt":"2026-04-09T16:00:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/clinical-research-center\/?page_id=4786"},"modified":"2026-04-09T13:03:17","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T17:03:17","slug":"redcap-branching-logic-a-practical-guide-to-dynamic-forms","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/clinical-research-center\/services\/informatics-core\/redcap\/guides-how-tos\/redcap-logic-hub\/redcap-branching-logic-a-practical-guide-to-dynamic-forms\/","title":{"rendered":"REDCap Branching Logic: A Practical Guide to Dynamic Forms"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"in-page-tabs\"><ul id=\"menu-redcap\" class=\"menu nav nav-tabs\"><li id=\"menu-item-4437\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page\"><a href=\"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/clinical-research-center\/services\/informatics-core\/redcap\/uch-redcap-user-agreement\/\">REDCap User Agreement<\/a><\/li><li id=\"menu-item-4440\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page\"><a href=\"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/clinical-research-center\/services\/informatics-core\/redcap\/redcap-fees\/\">REDCap Fees<\/a><\/li><li id=\"menu-item-4438\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page\"><a href=\"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/clinical-research-center\/services\/informatics-core\/redcap\/redcap-usage\/\">REDCap Usage<\/a><\/li><li id=\"menu-item-4441\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page\"><a href=\"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/clinical-research-center\/services\/informatics-core\/redcap\/redcap-account-request\/\">REDCap Account Request<\/a><\/li><li id=\"menu-item-4446\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-has-children dropdown\"><a href=\"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/clinical-research-center\/redcap-login-issues\/\" class=\"dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\">REDCap Login Issues<b class=\"caret\"><\/b><\/a>\n<ul class=\"dropdown-menu\">\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-4447\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page\"><a href=\"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/clinical-research-center\/redcap-login-issues\/uchc-user\/\">REDCap Login Help for UConn Health Users<\/a><\/li>\t<li id=\"menu-item-4448\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page\"><a href=\"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/clinical-research-center\/redcap-login-issues\/external-user\/\">UConn &amp; External Users Login Issues<\/a><\/li><!--.dropdown-->\n<\/ul>\n<\/li><li id=\"menu-item-4443\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page\"><a href=\"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/clinical-research-center\/services\/informatics-core\/redcap\/guides-how-tos\/\">REDCap Guides &amp; How-to<\/a><\/li><li id=\"menu-item-4920\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page\"><a href=\"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/clinical-research-center\/data-management\/\">Data Management<\/a><\/li><li id=\"menu-item-4449\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-has-children dropdown\"><a href=\"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/clinical-research-center\/services\/informatics-core\/redcap\/scheduled-maintenance\/\" class=\"dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\">REDCap Maintenance<b class=\"caret\"><\/b><\/a>\n<ul class=\"dropdown-menu\">\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-4678\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page\"><a href=\"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/clinical-research-center\/services\/informatics-core\/redcap\/scheduled-maintenance\/\">REDCap Maintenance<\/a><\/li>\t<li id=\"menu-item-4450\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page\"><a href=\"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/clinical-research-center\/services\/informatics-core\/redcap\/scheduled-maintenance\/new-features-improvements\/\">REDCap Upgrade Details<\/a><\/li><!--.dropdown-->\n<\/ul>\n<\/li><li id=\"menu-item-4442\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page\"><a href=\"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/clinical-research-center\/services\/informatics-core\/redcap\/redcap-training\/\">REDCap Training Center<\/a><\/li><li id=\"menu-item-4451\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page\"><a href=\"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/clinical-research-center\/services\/informatics-core\/redcap\/redcap-systems\/\">REDCap Systems<\/a><\/li><li id=\"menu-item-4453\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page\"><a href=\"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/clinical-research-center\/services\/informatics-core\/redcap\/citing-redcap\/\">Citing REDCap<\/a><\/li><li id=\"menu-item-4455\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page\"><a href=\"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/clinical-research-center\/services\/informatics-core\/redcap\/redcap_news\/\">REDCap News You Can Use<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><div id=\"top\" class=\"redcap-branching-logic-guide\" style=\"max-width: 1100px;margin: 0 auto;line-height: 1.7;color: #1f2937\">\n<p style=\"font-size: 1.08em;margin-top: 0\"><strong>Control when fields appear based on responses and data conditions<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Branching logic allows you to show or hide fields based on participant responses or existing data. It is one of the most powerful tools in REDCap for creating clean, efficient, and dynamic instruments.<\/p>\n<div style=\"background: #eff6ff;border-left: 6px solid #2563eb;padding: 14px 16px;margin: 22px 0;border-radius: 4px\"><strong>Core Principle:<\/strong> Branching logic determines <strong>whether a field is displayed<\/strong>. If the logic evaluates to TRUE, the field is shown. If FALSE, the field is hidden.<\/div>\n<div style=\"background: #fff7ed;border-left: 6px solid #ea580c;padding: 14px 16px;margin: 22px 0;border-radius: 4px\"><strong>&#x26a0;&#xfe0f; Important:<\/strong> Branching logic is applied to the <strong>field you want to show or hide<\/strong> (the destination field), not the field that contains the triggering value.<\/div>\n<div style=\"background: #f0f9ff;border: 1px solid #bae6fd;padding: 16px;margin: 24px 0;border-radius: 6px\">\n<p><strong>On this page<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul style=\"margin: 10px 0 0 20px\">\n<li><a href=\"#what\">What Branching Logic Does<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#setup\">How to Set It Up<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#syntax\">Logic Syntax<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#logic-examples\">Visual: Simple vs Complex Branching Logic<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#checkbox\">Checkbox Logic<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#complex\">Building Complex Logic<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#longitudinal\">Longitudinal Considerations<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#limitations\">Limitations<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#mistakes\">Common Mistakes<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#real-world\">Common Real-World Examples<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#best\">Best Practices<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#checklist\">Quick Setup Checklist<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<hr \/>\n<h2 id=\"what\" style=\"background: #329EB8;color: white;padding: 12px;border-radius: 6px\">What Branching Logic Does<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Shows fields only when relevant<\/li>\n<li>Hides unnecessary questions<\/li>\n<li>Improves data quality<\/li>\n<li>Creates a guided user experience<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div style=\"background: #f0fdf4;border-left: 6px solid #16a34a;padding: 12px;margin: 16px 0\"><strong>&#x2705; Best Practice:<\/strong> Use branching logic to reduce cognitive load for participants.<\/div>\n<div style=\"text-align: right\"><a href=\"#top\">Back to top \u2191<\/a><\/div>\n<hr style=\"margin: 30px 0;border: 0;border-top: 1px solid #d1d5db\" \/>\n<h2 id=\"flow\" style=\"background: #329EB8;color: white;padding: 12px;border-radius: 6px\">How Branching Logic Flows<\/h2>\n<p>At its core, branching logic follows a simple decision path: REDCap checks a condition, then either shows or hides the destination field.<\/p>\n<div style=\"background: #f8fafc;border: 1px solid #cbd5e1;padding: 20px;border-radius: 8px;margin: 20px 0\">\n<div style=\"text-align: center;margin-bottom: 14px\">\n<div style=\"background: #e0f2fe;border: 1px solid #7dd3fc;padding: 12px 18px;border-radius: 8px;font-weight: 600\">User enters or updates a response<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"text-align: center;font-size: 1.4em;color: #64748b;margin: 6px 0\">\u2193<\/div>\n<div style=\"text-align: center;margin-bottom: 14px\">\n<div style=\"background: #ede9fe;border: 1px solid #c4b5fd;padding: 12px 18px;border-radius: 8px;font-weight: 600\">REDCap evaluates the branching logic<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"text-align: center;font-size: 1.4em;color: #64748b;margin: 6px 0\">\u2193<\/div>\n<div style=\"gap: 18px;justify-content: center;flex-wrap: wrap;margin-top: 8px\">\n<div style=\"flex: 1;min-width: 260px;max-width: 360px;background: #f0fdf4;border: 1px solid #86efac;padding: 16px;border-radius: 8px\">\n<div style=\"font-weight: bold;color: #166534;margin-bottom: 8px\">If logic = TRUE<\/div>\n<div>The destination field is shown.<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-top: 10px;font-family: monospace;background: #ffffff;padding: 8px 10px;border-radius: 6px;border: 1px solid #dcfce7\">[gender] = &#8216;2&#8217;<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"flex: 1;min-width: 260px;max-width: 360px;background: #fef2f2;border: 1px solid #fca5a5;padding: 16px;border-radius: 8px\">\n<div style=\"font-weight: bold;color: #991b1b;margin-bottom: 8px\">If logic = FALSE<\/div>\n<div>The destination field stays hidden.<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-top: 10px;font-family: monospace;background: #ffffff;padding: 8px 10px;border-radius: 6px;border: 1px solid #fee2e2\">[gender] = &#8216;1&#8217;<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"background: #eff6ff;border-left: 6px solid #2563eb;padding: 12px 14px;margin: 16px 0;border-radius: 4px\"><strong>Key idea:<\/strong> The logic belongs on the field you want to show or hide. REDCap checks that field\u2019s rule every time the page loads or a triggering value changes.<\/div>\n<div style=\"background: #f0fdf4;border-left: 6px solid #16a34a;padding: 12px 14px;margin: 16px 0;border-radius: 4px\"><strong>Example:<\/strong> If you only want to show a pregnancy question when the response to sex is Female, the pregnancy field would contain the branching logic, such as <code>[sex] = '0'<\/code> if Female is coded as 0.<\/div>\n<div style=\"text-align: right\"><a href=\"#top\">Back to top \u2191<\/a><\/div>\n<hr \/>\n<h2 id=\"setup\" style=\"background: #329EB8;color: white;padding: 12px;border-radius: 6px\">How to Set It Up<\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li>Go to <strong>Online Designer<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>Edit a field<\/li>\n<li>Enter logic in the <strong>Branching Logic<\/strong> box<\/li>\n<li>Or use the <strong>logic builder<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<div style=\"background: #eff6ff;border-left: 6px solid #2563eb;padding: 12px\"><strong>Tip:<\/strong> Use the builder first, then refine manually.<\/div>\n<div style=\"text-align: right\"><a href=\"#top\">Back to top \u2191<\/a><\/div>\n<hr \/>\n<h2 id=\"syntax\" style=\"background: #329EB8;color: white;padding: 12px;border-radius: 6px\">Logic Syntax<\/h2>\n<p>Basic format:<\/p>\n<pre>[variable] = 'value'<\/pre>\n<p>Examples:<\/p>\n<pre>[gender] = '1'\r\n[age] &gt; 18\r\n[consent_complete] = 2\r\n[field_name] &lt;&gt; \"\"\r\n<\/pre>\n<div style=\"background: #fff7ed;border-left: 6px solid #ea580c;padding: 12px\"><strong>&#x26a0;&#xfe0f; Important:<\/strong> Use &#8220;&#8221; (no space) to check for blank values.<\/div>\n<div style=\"text-align: right\"><a href=\"#top\">Back to top \u2191<\/a><\/div>\n<hr style=\"margin: 30px 0;border: 0;border-top: 1px solid #d1d5db\" \/>\n<h2 id=\"logic-examples\" style=\"background: #329EB8;color: white;padding: 12px;border-radius: 6px\">Simple vs. Complex Branching Logic<\/h2>\n<p>Branching logic can range from very simple conditions to more complex, multi-part rules. Understanding how logic builds step-by-step makes it much easier to write and troubleshoot.<\/p>\n<div style=\"flex-wrap: wrap;gap: 20px;margin: 20px 0\">\n<p><!-- SIMPLE --><\/p>\n<div style=\"flex: 1;min-width: 280px;background: #f0fdf4;border: 1px solid #86efac;padding: 16px;border-radius: 8px\">\n<h3 style=\"margin-top: 0;color: #166534\">Simple Logic<\/h3>\n<p>One condition controls whether the field appears.<\/p>\n<div style=\"background: #ffffff;border: 1px solid #dcfce7;padding: 10px;border-radius: 6px;font-family: monospace\">[gender] = &#8216;2&#8217;<\/div>\n<p style=\"margin-top: 10px\">&#x27a1; Show field only if gender = Female<\/p>\n<div style=\"background: #ecfdf5;padding: 10px;border-radius: 6px;margin-top: 10px\"><strong>Use case:<\/strong> Basic eligibility or demographic filtering<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><!-- AND --><\/p>\n<div style=\"flex: 1;min-width: 280px;background: #eff6ff;border: 1px solid #93c5fd;padding: 16px;border-radius: 8px\">\n<h3 style=\"margin-top: 0;color: #1e3a8a\">AND Logic<\/h3>\n<p>All conditions must be TRUE.<\/p>\n<div style=\"background: #ffffff;border: 1px solid #dbeafe;padding: 10px;border-radius: 6px;font-family: monospace\">[age] &gt; 18 and [consent] = &#8216;1&#8217;<\/div>\n<p style=\"margin-top: 10px\">&#x27a1; Show field only if BOTH conditions are met<\/p>\n<div style=\"background: #eff6ff;padding: 10px;border-radius: 6px;margin-top: 10px\"><strong>Use case:<\/strong> Eligibility + consent requirements<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><!-- OR --><\/p>\n<div style=\"flex: 1;min-width: 280px;background: #fefce8;border: 1px solid #fde68a;padding: 16px;border-radius: 8px\">\n<h3 style=\"margin-top: 0;color: #92400e\">OR Logic<\/h3>\n<p>Only one condition must be TRUE.<\/p>\n<div style=\"background: #ffffff;border: 1px solid #fef3c7;padding: 10px;border-radius: 6px;font-family: monospace\">[symptom1] = &#8216;1&#8217; or [symptom2] = &#8216;1&#8217;<\/div>\n<p style=\"margin-top: 10px\">&#x27a1; Show field if ANY condition is met<\/p>\n<div style=\"background: #fefce8;padding: 10px;border-radius: 6px;margin-top: 10px\"><strong>Use case:<\/strong> Trigger follow-up questions<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><!-- COMPLEX --><\/p>\n<div style=\"background: #f8fafc;border: 1px solid #cbd5e1;padding: 18px;border-radius: 8px;margin: 20px 0\">\n<h3 style=\"margin-top: 0\">Complex Logic (Grouped Conditions)<\/h3>\n<p>Use parentheses to control how logic is evaluated.<\/p>\n<div style=\"background: #ffffff;border: 1px solid #e5e7eb;padding: 12px;border-radius: 6px;font-family: monospace\">([q1] = &#8216;1&#8217; or [q2] = &#8216;1&#8217;) and [q3] = &#8216;2&#8217;<\/div>\n<p style=\"margin-top: 10px\">&#x27a1; Show field if <strong>(q1 OR q2)<\/strong> AND q3 is true<\/p>\n<div style=\"background: #eff6ff;border-left: 6px solid #2563eb;padding: 12px;margin-top: 14px\"><strong>Key Tip:<\/strong> Without parentheses, REDCap may evaluate logic in an unexpected order.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><!-- CHECKBOX EXAMPLE --><\/p>\n<div style=\"background: #fef2f2;border: 1px solid #fecaca;padding: 18px;border-radius: 8px;margin: 20px 0\">\n<h3 style=\"margin-top: 0;color: #991b1b\">Checkbox Logic Example<\/h3>\n<p>Checkboxes require special syntax for each option:<\/p>\n<div style=\"background: #ffffff;border: 1px solid #fee2e2;padding: 12px;border-radius: 6px;font-family: monospace\">[symptoms(1)] = &#8216;1&#8217; or [symptoms(2)] = &#8216;1&#8217;<\/div>\n<p style=\"margin-top: 10px\">&#x27a1; Show field if either checkbox option is selected<\/p>\n<div style=\"background: #fff7ed;border-left: 6px solid #ea580c;padding: 12px;margin-top: 14px\"><strong>&#x26a0;&#xfe0f; Important:<\/strong> Each checkbox choice is its own variable\u2014do not treat it like a dropdown or radio field.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"background: #f0fdf4;border-left: 6px solid #16a34a;padding: 12px;margin: 20px 0\"><strong>&#x2705; Best Practice:<\/strong> Start simple. Build and test one condition at a time, then layer additional logic.<\/div>\n<div style=\"text-align: right\"><a href=\"#top\" style=\"background: #eef6f8;padding: 6px 12px;border-radius: 20px;text-decoration: none;color: #1f2937\">Back to top \u2191<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<hr \/>\n<div id=\"top\" class=\"redcap-branching-logic-guide\" style=\"max-width: 1100px;margin: 0 auto;line-height: 1.7;color: #1f2937\">\n<h2 id=\"checkbox\" style=\"background: #329EB8;color: white;padding: 12px;border-radius: 6px\">Checkbox Logic<\/h2>\n<p>Checkboxes use special syntax:<\/p>\n<pre>[field(1)] = '1'   \u2192 checked\r\n[field(1)] = '0'   \u2192 unchecked\r\n<\/pre>\n<div style=\"background: #fff7ed;border-left: 6px solid #ea580c;padding: 12px\"><strong>&#x26a0;&#xfe0f; Important:<\/strong> Each checkbox option is its own variable.<\/div>\n<div style=\"text-align: right\"><a href=\"#top\">Back to top \u2191<\/a><\/div>\n<hr \/>\n<h2 id=\"complex\" style=\"background: #329EB8;color: white;padding: 12px;border-radius: 6px\">Building Complex Logic<\/h2>\n<pre>([q1] = '1' or [q2] = '1') and [q3] = '2'\r\n<\/pre>\n<div style=\"background: #eff6ff;border-left: 6px solid #2563eb;padding: 12px\"><strong>Tip:<\/strong> Always use parentheses for clarity.<\/div>\n<div style=\"text-align: right\"><a href=\"#top\">Back to top \u2191<\/a><\/div>\n<hr \/>\n<h2 id=\"longitudinal\" style=\"background: #329EB8;color: white;padding: 12px;border-radius: 6px\">Longitudinal Considerations<\/h2>\n<pre>[baseline_arm_1][weight]<\/pre>\n<ul>\n<li>Reference events explicitly<\/li>\n<li>Test across events<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div style=\"background: #fff7ed;border-left: 6px solid #ea580c;padding: 12px\"><strong>&#x26a0;&#xfe0f; Important:<\/strong> Branching logic is NOT event-relative by default.<\/div>\n<div style=\"text-align: right\"><a href=\"#top\">Back to top \u2191<\/a><\/div>\n<hr \/>\n<h2 id=\"limitations\" style=\"background: #329EB8;color: white;padding: 12px;border-radius: 6px\">Limitations<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Cannot hide entire instruments<\/li>\n<li>Cannot skip surveys<\/li>\n<li>Works only at field level<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div style=\"text-align: right\"><a href=\"#top\">Back to top \u2191<\/a><\/div>\n<hr \/>\n<h2 id=\"mistakes\" style=\"background: #329EB8;color: white;padding: 12px;border-radius: 6px\">Common Mistakes<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>&#x274c; Applying logic to wrong field<\/li>\n<li>&#x274c; Treating checkbox like radio<\/li>\n<li>&#x274c; Forgetting quotes<\/li>\n<li>&#x274c; Not testing with real data<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div style=\"background: #fef2f2;border-left: 6px solid #dc2626;padding: 12px\"><strong>Common Mistake:<\/strong> Assuming preview mode fully tests logic.<\/div>\n<div style=\"text-align: right\"><a href=\"#top\">Back to top \u2191<\/a><\/div>\n<hr \/>\n<hr style=\"margin: 30px 0;border: 0;border-top: 1px solid #d1d5db\" \/>\n<h2 id=\"real-world\" style=\"background: #329EB8;color: white;padding: 12px;border-radius: 6px\">Common Real-World Examples<\/h2>\n<p>Branching logic is most useful when it mirrors how people actually move through a form or survey. Below are some common ways it is used in real REDCap projects.<\/p>\n<div style=\"flex-wrap: wrap;gap: 20px;margin: 20px 0\">\n<div style=\"flex: 1;min-width: 280px;background: #f8fafc;border: 1px solid #cbd5e1;padding: 16px;border-radius: 8px\">\n<h3 style=\"margin-top: 0\">Eligibility Screening<\/h3>\n<p>Only show follow-up eligibility questions if the participant meets initial screening criteria.<\/p>\n<div style=\"background: #ffffff;border: 1px solid #e5e7eb;padding: 10px;border-radius: 6px;font-family: monospace\">[age] &gt;= 18 and [consent_interest] = &#8216;1&#8217;<\/div>\n<p style=\"margin-top: 10px\"><strong>Use case:<\/strong> Recruitment and screening forms<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"flex: 1;min-width: 280px;background: #f8fafc;border: 1px solid #cbd5e1;padding: 16px;border-radius: 8px\">\n<h3 style=\"margin-top: 0\">Sex-Specific Questions<\/h3>\n<p>Only display fields when they are relevant to the participant.<\/p>\n<div style=\"background: #ffffff;border: 1px solid #e5e7eb;padding: 10px;border-radius: 6px;font-family: monospace\">[sex] = &#8216;2&#8217;<\/div>\n<p style=\"margin-top: 10px\"><strong>Use case:<\/strong> Pregnancy history, prostate-related questions, etc.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"flex: 1;min-width: 280px;background: #f8fafc;border: 1px solid #cbd5e1;padding: 16px;border-radius: 8px\">\n<h3 style=\"margin-top: 0\">\u201cOther, Specify\u201d Fields<\/h3>\n<p>Show a text box only when a participant selects \u201cOther.\u201d<\/p>\n<div style=\"background: #ffffff;border: 1px solid #e5e7eb;padding: 10px;border-radius: 6px;font-family: monospace\">[race] = &#8217;88&#8217;<\/div>\n<p style=\"margin-top: 10px\"><strong>Use case:<\/strong> Dropdown or radio fields with an \u201cOther\u201d choice<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"flex-wrap: wrap;gap: 20px;margin: 20px 0\">\n<div style=\"flex: 1;min-width: 280px;background: #f8fafc;border: 1px solid #cbd5e1;padding: 16px;border-radius: 8px\">\n<h3 style=\"margin-top: 0\">Medication Lists<\/h3>\n<p>Show the next medication field only when the previous one has been completed.<\/p>\n<div style=\"background: #ffffff;border: 1px solid #e5e7eb;padding: 10px;border-radius: 6px;font-family: monospace\">[med1] &lt;&gt; &#8220;&#8221;<\/div>\n<p style=\"margin-top: 10px\"><strong>Use case:<\/strong> Repeating-like entry without repeating instruments<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"flex: 1;min-width: 280px;background: #f8fafc;border: 1px solid #cbd5e1;padding: 16px;border-radius: 8px\">\n<h3 style=\"margin-top: 0\">Symptom Follow-Up<\/h3>\n<p>Show severity or details only if a symptom is present.<\/p>\n<div style=\"background: #ffffff;border: 1px solid #e5e7eb;padding: 10px;border-radius: 6px;font-family: monospace\">[symptom_present] = &#8216;1&#8217;<\/div>\n<p style=\"margin-top: 10px\"><strong>Use case:<\/strong> Adverse events, symptom screens, clinical intake<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"flex: 1;min-width: 280px;background: #f8fafc;border: 1px solid #cbd5e1;padding: 16px;border-radius: 8px\">\n<h3 style=\"margin-top: 0\">Checkbox-Based Follow-Up<\/h3>\n<p>Show additional questions if one or more checkbox options are selected.<\/p>\n<div style=\"background: #ffffff;border: 1px solid #e5e7eb;padding: 10px;border-radius: 6px;font-family: monospace\">[symptoms(1)] = &#8216;1&#8217; or [symptoms(2)] = &#8216;1&#8217;<\/div>\n<p style=\"margin-top: 10px\"><strong>Use case:<\/strong> Multi-select symptom or exposure lists<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"background: #eff6ff;border-left: 6px solid #2563eb;padding: 12px 14px;margin: 20px 0;border-radius: 4px\"><strong>Design Tip:<\/strong> Branching logic works best when it follows the natural decision process of the user. If the logic feels hard to explain in plain language, it is often worth simplifying.<\/div>\n<div style=\"background: #f0fdf4;border-left: 6px solid #16a34a;padding: 12px 14px;margin: 20px 0;border-radius: 4px\"><strong>&#x2705; Best Practice:<\/strong> Write down the plain-English rule first, then convert it into REDCap logic. For example: \u201cShow this field only if the participant is over 18 and consented.\u201d<\/div>\n<div style=\"text-align: right\"><a href=\"#top\" style=\"background: #eef6f8;padding: 6px 12px;border-radius: 20px;text-decoration: none;color: #1f2937\">Back to top \u2191<\/a><\/div>\n<h2 id=\"best\" style=\"background: #16a34a;color: white;padding: 12px;border-radius: 6px\">Best Practices<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Keep logic simple<\/li>\n<li>Use consistent coding<\/li>\n<li>Test thoroughly<\/li>\n<li>Use parentheses<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div style=\"text-align: right\"><a href=\"#top\">Back to top \u2191<\/a><\/div>\n<hr \/>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>REDCap User AgreementREDCap FeesREDCap UsageREDCap Account RequestREDCap Login Issues REDCap Login Help for UConn Health Users UConn &amp; External Users Login Issues REDCap Guides &amp; How-toData ManagementREDCap Maintenance REDCap Maintenance REDCap Upgrade Details REDCap Training CenterREDCap SystemsCiting REDCapREDCap News You Can Use Control when fields appear based on responses and data conditions Branching logic allows [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4679,"featured_media":0,"parent":4778,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"acf":[],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-05-29 08:48:17","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/clinical-research-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4786"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/clinical-research-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/clinical-research-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/clinical-research-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4679"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/clinical-research-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4786"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/clinical-research-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4786\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4792,"href":"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/clinical-research-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4786\/revisions\/4792"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/clinical-research-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4778"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/clinical-research-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4786"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}