Double-checking your Data Entries (data verification)

When you are entering large amounts of data into a spreadsheet it is easy to mistype a value. One method of double-checking the data values is to simply eyeball the spreadsheet, matching the original data against what you’ve typed. A more foolproof method is to verify the data by entering it again (or getting a second person to do this) and letting Genstat compare the two sets of entries, flagging up any mismatches.

1. From the menu select Spread | Sheet | Verify.
2. Double-click the names of the columns to verify, which will prefix the names with V:, then click OK.

   

   The values in your selected columns are replaced by – – -.

   

3. Retype the first value then press Enter or use the keyboard arrow keys to move to the next cell.
4. Continue retyping values. Genstat will recognize if you type any values differently to the originals and displaying the following prompt.

   

   If you see the above prompt you can:

   • Keep the value you just typed (click Typed).
   • Use the original value in the cell (click Original)
   • Enter a enter a new value then click New.
5. Continue typing values until each cell has been verified, at which point the following prompt will appear. Click Yes or No as appropriate.

   

   If any mismatches are detected Genstat creates a verification spreadsheet containing a record for each changed value.

6. To see this spreadsheet, from the toolbar click the Window List button.

   

7. Select the verification spreadsheet (this will be Book; followed by a number) and click Activate.

The spreadsheet shows which cells have changed. You can save this spreadsheet for your records or give it to a 3rd party if further verification is needed.