How a project works¶
A project starts with one or two data files:
- Train file — your real, collected survey responses.
- Predict file (optional) — the population you want to generate synthetic answers for. If you don't have a separate file, n-Infinite can automatically split a single uploaded file into train and predict portions based on where the questionnaire begins (Swift mode), using the same respondent structure throughout.
n-Infinite accepts common survey and data-export formats: CSV, Excel (XLSX/XLS), JSON, Parquet, Feather and SPSS (.sav) — including SPSS variable labels.
Once uploaded, a project moves through a clear pipeline: initial setup and validation, training, prediction, and completion. Along the way it can be paused, resumed or restarted, and the platform tracks status at every step.
Project types¶
| Use case | Train file | Predict file | Behavior | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single File | Boost field projects, API-based projects | Field data (completed surveys) + profiling data | — | Automatically splits the file into train and predict sets | If the last question is not mandatory, add a Completed = Y column to identify complete responses |
| Split File | Boost field projects: field data + stock profiles | Field data (completed surveys) | Profiling data | Predicts all target columns. The predict file must not contain the names of the columns to be predicted | The last column is not required, even if optional — automatic detection is supported |
| Complete-the-Incomplete | Convert dropouts into complete surveys | Field data (completed surveys) + field data (dropouts) | — | Reads rows right to left to predict missing data; existing data is used for training, even in incomplete rows | If the last question is not mandatory, add a Completed = Y column |
| Boost — Swift | Boost projects without profile availability. Ideal for B2B | Field data (completed surveys) | — | Adds an identical number of synthetic prediction rows using existing profiling. Requires post-weighting | Select the initial question to predict and the desired weighting targets |
| Boost — Express | Boost projects without profile availability. Ideal for big boosts and B2C | Field data (completed surveys) | — | Adds 1× to n× the number of prediction rows; imputes real profiles from national census data (pre-loaded country options). Requires post-weighting | Select the initial question to predict and weighting targets. Census column mapping is required |
Typical file structure¶
Horizontally, a typical n-Infinite file is organized as:
- Profiling data
- Respondent identification (
UserId,Id, …) - Demographics: gender, age, residence, ethnicity, …
- Extra profiling: psychographics (B2C) or firmographics (B2B)
- Screening questions (if you prefer to keep them outside training data)
- Respondent identification (
- Training data — the field answers.
Vertically:
- Single file: train and predict rows are mixed — complete vs. profile-only rows, or complete vs. incomplete rows.
- Split files: training data lives in the train file; in the predict file, delete the column names of the fields to be predicted.
Tips for optimizing files¶
- Admitted formats: Excel (
.xlsx,.xls), comma-separated (.csv) and SPSS (.sav). - Never include duplicated field names.
- Remove non-profiling information apart from identification: checksums, timestamps, personal information.
- Avoid low-density fields (more than 90% empty cells).
- If possible, include a field called
Startwith a single value (e.g.Y) right before the training data begins. - If columns finish unevenly (the last column may be empty), include an
Endfield with a single value (e.g.Y) at the end of the file.