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Simmons Catalyst

How to Run a Crosstab

This handout will help you create a crosstab.

How to Interpret Crosstab data

This handout will help you interpret and understand Crosstab data.

How to Create a Crosstab. Step 1:

Step 1:

Once you in in the Simmons database (opens in a new tab), go to the Analyze tab on the top of the screen and click crosstab in the dropdown menu.

Simmons Homepage with Analyze and Crosstab dropdown menu highlighted

Step 2:

Use the Dictionary feature to search for your variables:

picture of search function in Simmons database with yellow box highlighting Dictionary and search

  • Bases: This represents your population. Use this if you want to limit to a specific group or demographic. If left empty, your results will include everyone who answered the survey. We will leave it blank for now.
  • Columns: Similar to a typical spreadsheet, I generally recommend placing the people you're analyzing in the columns (e.g., men and women, or specific age ranges).
  • Rows: Place the products they are buying or the actions they are doing in the rows. This often makes the data easier to read.

Step 3:

As you select your variables, make sure to click "add" to include your products or uses in your columns and rows. This action transfers your chosen items into the cross tab results. Click Run Report.

screenshot of crosstabs feature choosing variables. Add feature highlighted with yellow box.

You can also drag variables to columns or rows.

screenshot of crosstabs feature choosing variables. Add feature highlighted with yellow box.

Step 4:

Once you've chosen your variables, click "run report".

Yellow box highlighting run report link in bottom right corner.

Step 5:

View of report:

  1. Change the report view for easier reading
  2. Save report to homepage
  3. Click on the 3 dots in the upper right corner to export report

View of reports. 1. change view; 2. save to homepage; 3. export to excel file.