Unless you open a pre-existing file, Jamovi will open a blank dataset for you. All you need to do is modify and/or add variables.

If you already have a file open follow the steps below:

Menu > New

You now have a blank dataset

If you already have another file open do the following:

Menu > New

This will create a blank dataset for you. Now you can start creating new variables.

Double-click on a pre-existing variable > Add information 

Variable Name: Update our variable name - keep this short and avoid sentences

Description: Add any additional information about the variable e.g. What question was asked, how is it measured etc.

Data Type: Unless there is an error, don't change this.

We will show you how to add missing values and levels further down.

There are three ways of adding new variables

First way: 

Double-click on blank column > New DataVariable

Variable Name: Add your variable name - keep this short and avoid sentences

Description: Add any additional information about the variable e.g. What question was asked, how is it measured etc.

Data Type: Unless there is an error, don't change this.

We will show you how to add missing values and levels further down.

Second Way:

Data Tab > Add > Insert or Append

Now you can add the variable information as outlined in the previous steps. 

Third way: 

Select the variable you want your new variable next to > Right-click > Add Variable > Insert or Append

Now you can add the variable information as outlined in the previous steps. 

Double Click Variable > Click on + on the right of the Levels box

In the box enter your numeric value/text> Ok

Note: You can add text, but then you will be unable to carry out certain tests. 

Select Level to label > click on the number > Enter label 

Now all of your levels should have labels.

Jamovi automatically recognises blank fields as missing values - no further action is needed unless you have other values that should be considered missing. 

In many datasets, missing values are indicated by a number such as -99. Or you may want to exclude certain data from your variable (e.g. Other).  Make sure you check your data, as you will have to tell Jamovi what values you want to exclude (be recognized as missing).

You can easily update the missing values for multiple variables at the same time. 

Note:  Always make sure Jamovi knows your missing values - failure to do so, can seriously screw up your results.   

Select variable > Double-click on it > Missing Values

Click in the Missing Values Field. You can now select the ground of excluding values. This can be typed in or you can select it from the dropdown menu (access it by clicking on the tiny little downward arrow).

• == equals

• != not equal to

• > greater than

• < smaller than

• >= greater than or equal to

Now enter the value. If your variable is a text variable use ' ' to enclose any text. If your variable has levels you can either use the number or the label, again encloses it in ' ', but make sure it is spelt correctly. 

You can add additional missing values by selecting Add missing Values at the bottom. 

Your missing values should now appear greyed out. 

To add the same missing values to multipe variables at the same time, simpley select all of the variables you need.

Select first Variable > Press Ctrl on PC or cmd on Mac and select further variables

Follow Step 2 to exclude your missing data.

Double-click on the variable you want to enter data into. Check the levels. You are now ready to enter your data. 

Important: If there are levels in place you can either enter the number or the label text - Do make sure you spell it correctly (including capitalisation as it will create a new level if you get it wrong). 

Click in Cell > Enter data

Now repeat this until your data is entered. 

Sometimes you may already have your data in another document. As long as it takes the same format or is comma-separated (e.g. 1,2,0, etc) then you can paste your data into Jamovi. 

Select Variable > RIght-click > Paste (ctrl+v on PC or cmd+v on Mac)