MAP_NUMERIC_TO_LIST(): convert a numeric code into a List value

map_numeric_to_list() returns a List value by mapping a Numeric code to a reference List variable.
It is mainly used to standardize answers when the same question exists in multiple languages (or multiple versions), and you want one analysis-ready variable in a single reference language.

Syntax

map_numeric_to_list(NumericCode, ReferenceList)

• NumericCode: a Numeric value (often produced by first_numeric_value())

• ReferenceList: a List variable used as the mapping dictionary (the output will use its labels)

Return type: List (same structure and labels as ReferenceList)

How it works

map_numeric_to_list() searches the reference list for a modality whose numeric value matches NumericCode.

• If a match is found → returns the corresponding List modality (with the reference labels)

• If no match is found → returns null (shown as “NC” in the eCRF)

• If NumericCode is null → returns null

Typical use case: build one analysis variable from a multilingual ePRO question

Example: Smoking status (List) in 3 languages

You collect the same question in multiple languages:

• Smoking_EN (List)

• Smoking_FR (List)

• Smoking_DE (List)

Each List uses the same numeric codes:

• 0 = Never smoked

• 1 = Stopped smoking

• 2 = Currently smoking

Patients answer only one variable, depending on their language.

Goal

Create one variable for analysis, always expressed using English labels:

• Smoking (List, English)

Formula

Smoking = map_numeric_to_list(
  first_numeric_value(Smoking_EN, Smoking_FR, Smoking_DE),
  Smoking_EN
)

What happens:

1. first_numeric_value(...) returns the numeric code of the answered language variable (0/1/2)

2. map_numeric_to_list(..., Smoking_EN) converts that code into the English List modality

Requirements and expected behavior

• Numeric codes must be aligned across language-specific Lists.
  If “Stopped smoking” is 1 in Smoking_EN, then the equivalent modality must also be 1 in Smoking_FR and Smoking_DE.

• If the numeric code does not exist in the reference list → result is null (displayed as “NC”).

• If the numeric input is null → result is null (displayed as “NC”).

Practical tips

• Use a stable reference list as the second argument (usually the language you want for statistics and exports, e.g., *_EN).

• If you change the reference list structure or numeric codes, it can change the mapping result. Keep codes stable once your study is live.