Interrupting an ACASI Interview

If an ACASI interview needs to be interrupted prior to completion, it is very important to follow the correct procedure in order to save the collected data. If the ACASI program is not properly shut down, the interview file can become damaged.

The correct way to interrupt an ACASI interview is dependent upon device type:

  • If using an enabled full keyboard, select Alt+F4 to exit (On devices without a standalone Alt key, it may be necessary to enter Fn+Alt+F4)
  • If keyboard is disabled (specified under ACASI Build Options) and a mouse is used, click the left and right mouse buttons simultaneously in the upper left corner of the ACASI screen
  • If using a touch enabled tablet, press and hold in the upper left corner of the ACASI.

Following any of these methods, ACASI will ask you: "Are you sure you want to terminate this interview?".

Message: Are you sure you want to terminate this interview?

Select No to return to ACASI at the point where you left off, or select Yes to end the interview.

If an Exit password has been specified (see ACASI Build Options), the password dialog box will open, and the password will need to be entered to exit the program.

ACASI End of Interview: Password box

If you did not select the ACASI Build Option, Save interviews without prompting, QDS will ask if you would like to save the data from your interview. If you click Yes, the record will be written out to the ACASI Data File (*.QAD). If you respond No, the program will require confirmation prior to discarding the data.

If the saved interview is not resumed and completed (see Resuming an ACASI Interview) it will be saved as an incomplete interview (see Warehouse Status Codes).

Warning: If an interview is interrupted improperly or the computer or program shuts down unexpectedly, all data recorded to that point will be written out to the data file excepting Automatic Variables; however, the interview file may be left in a corrupted state! See Causes and Recovery of Corrupted ACASI Data Files. Do not exit your ACASI interview by using Ctrl+Alt+Delete, Task Manager, or other improper shut-down methods.