In Harmoni, a standard axis is a discrete or categorical variable with elements for each response. They can be single or multi-response.
You can combine existing axes or elements in the project tree to create nets by using combine items, which is found in the design menu, in the construct section.
In this article
1. Create a New Combined Item
Combine items, located under construct in the design menu lets you combine two or more non-constructed items to create a new item.
- When you create a combined item, the items used to construct the combined item remain available in the tree. You can hide these items if you don't need to see them in the tree. Therefore, the option to deconstruct is only available for constructed type variables created through Automation.
- The ability to combine constructed items will be available in upcoming Harmoni versions.
2. Combined Axes
a. Create a New Combined Axis
Two or more non-constructed axes can be combined together into a single variable using combine items (e.g., to create a multiple response axis).
The new combined axis appears above the first item selected in the project tree.
- Select axes you want to combine
- Select combine items from the design menu
- Name your new axis
- Hide any elements that are not required
b. Edit a Combined Axis
After creating a combined axis, you can add or remove items, however, the definitions of the elements themselves can't be edited. New elements can't be created at this point.
Add an axis into the combined construction
- Drag and drop, in the project tree on top of the constructed item.
- Drag and drop, into the expression editor and then reapply the expression.
Remove an axis from the combined construction
- In the expression editor, remove items using the 'x' next to the name of the axis you want to remove and then reapply the expression.
c. Updating Elements in a Combined Axis
Elements in a combined axis synchronize with the original axes.
- A combined axis will update to include any new items in the original standard axes.
- At the same time, items removed from the original standard axes will be removed from your combined axis.
Combined axes update dynamically
d. Relabel Elements used in a Combined Axis
When you change the element label from one of the standard axes that are used in a combined axis, the element label in the combined axis is automatically updated.
However, if you have already changed the label in your combined axis, changes in the label of a standard axis won't flow through to the combined axis.
e. Convert a Combined Axis to a Constructed Axis
You can convert a combined axis to a constructed one. When you highlight the combined axis label, the option to convert to construction is available in the design menu. Once the axis is converted, the yellow dot indicating a combined axis changes to an orange dot. You can edit the definition and add new elements if you require.
3. Combine Elements (Nets)
a. Create a New Combined Element (Net)
Existing non-constructed elements can be combined together into a new element using combine items. Combine items creates a net of existing elements (e.g., create a Top 2 Box).
- You can combine elements within an axis or within a grid.
- Combined elements in a standard axis display a yellow dot in the project tree.
- Combined elements in a grid display the icon "c" in the project tree.
- In the project tree, the new net appears above the first item selected.
- Select the elements you want to combine.
- Select combine items under construct.
- Name your new element.
b. Edit a Combined Element (Net)
After creating a combined element, you can add or remove items.
Add an element into the net
- Drag and drop, in the project tree on top of the constructed item.
- Click the library/editor option to open the expression editor. Select the element then hover over the definition in the editor and click the EDIT button. Drag and drop additional elements into the expression editor and click Apply Expression.
Remove an element from the net
- In the expression editor click EDIT, then remove items using the 'x' next to the name of the element you want to remove. Click Apply Expression to save.
Convert a combined element to a constructed element
Use the convert to construction option in the design menu to convert a combined element to a constructed one in the same way as you can convert an axis. Simply highlight the element and select convert to construction. The yellow dot indicating a combined element changes to an orange dot.
Where to from here?
Learn more about creating new items:
- Create New Variables - Axes and Elements
- Create New Axes and Elements using the Expression Editor
- Create a Grid