Protobi

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## Two ways to process data in Protobi

Protobi has two types of data processes, dynamic and static:

-   **Dynamic**: Code in the "Pre-calculate" admin tab runs dynamically, and is executed every time you open the project.
-   **Static**: Code in the "[Data](http://help.protobi.com/adminaccess/project-data#New%20process-1)" admin tab runs only on command, and creates a data table that's accessible to the project

Both methods can be accessed by [admins](http://help.protobi.com/adminaccess/project-permissions#%0APermission%20level-1) in [project settings](/adminaccess/project-settings). Pre-calculate code is run automatically as the project opens, and only on the primary data file. Data processes are run upon request, and can pull from multiple data files. Typically these are programmed in JavaScript.

## Pre-calculate (dynamic)

Press on the pre-calculate tab and you will see a code-view page. There is a button to save any changes made.

By default, pre-calc already contains the code "return rows;". "rows" is the data table or process that is currently set to primary in the "Data" tab. This line of code should always be in pre-calc because it informs Protobi to retrieve the data upon opening the project.

**Features**

-   Is run automatically before the project opens
    -   No additional steps are needed if a data is refreshed
    -   Additional processing time is need to open the project
-   Can modify project setup or edit element [attributes](http://help.protobi.com/editaccess/edit-json#Attributes-0)
-   Pre-calc only operates on the "primary" data file

**Practical applications**

-   [Set project default to not show NA](/how-to/how-to-default-not-show-na)
-   [Remove certain respondents](/110257-process-data-in-protobi/how-to-filter-or-remove-respondents)

## Data process (static)

For more complex data changes we recommend [creating a process](http://help.protobi.com/adminaccess/project-data#New%20process-1) under the "Data" tab. Start by pressing the green "New process" button.

After a data process is created, press "Edit/run" to see the code view. Like the pre-calculate page, there is a button to save changes. Because the code here will only be executed upon request, there is a "Run..." button to apply the code to the data and save the results.

Run the process each time changes are made to the code or data files are updated.

**Features**

-   Can operate on multiple files, for tasks like merging and stacking
-   The result of a process is stored as a data file
    -   The data file can be the "primary"  file for the project
    -   The file can be downloaded in CSV format

*Protobi will soon have capabilities for an asynchronous data process to edit elements*

**Practical applications**

-   [Merge data files](/110257-process-data-in-protobi/tbd-csv-left-join)
-   Data cleanup
-   [Create new variables](http://help.protobi.com/110257-process-data-in-protobi/javascript-primer#Common%20Protobi%20data%20processing%20code-5)

## Use the result of a data process as project data

In order to use the result of a data process as the datafile for a project, the process needs to be set as "Primary". Click on the process from the data tab and make sure the Primary button is selected (yellow).

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