> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.metaforms.ai/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.metaforms.ai/open-end-cleaning-and-coding/introduction-to-oe-coding.md).

# Introduction to OE Coding

Getting Started with OE Coding

OE Coding automates the analysis of open-ended survey responses using an 8-step guided wizard. It takes you from raw response data to fully coded, exportable outputs by using AI to classify, translate, generate code frames, assign codes, and validate quality.

What you'll need before starting:

* A project with a questionnaire uploaded in the Design tab
* One or more response data files (.xlsx format)
* Optionally: a research objective or client brief, and a previous wave code frame (for tracker studies)

**The 8-step workflow:**

1. Project Setup — Link your questionnaire, add research context
2. Upload & Map — Upload response files, map columns to questions
3. Cleanup & Translation — AI flags junk, duplicates, and non-English responses; you review
4. Configure Coding — Set code frame structure, multi-coding rules, code numbering
5. Code Frame Review — Review AI-generated codes; merge, split, add, or delete codes; assign responses manually
6. Coding — AI applies codes to all responses automatically
7. QA Validation — AI checks for miscoded, over-coded, and misplaced responses; you resolve findings
8. Export — Download coded data, code frame summaries, cleaned responses, and translation logs

**How to access OE Coding:**

1. Open your project
2. Click Open-End in the left sidebar (below QA, above Tabulation)
3. The wizard opens at your last saved step

<div align="left"><figure><img src="/files/veLWXtzrlhD8bQGZs3Ob" alt="" width="89"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

▎ Note: OE Coding must be enabled for your organization. If you don't see "Open-End" in the sidebar, contact your administrator or our support team.


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