File 2 specification

Last modified: 28 Sep 2026

Formatting of attribute datasets (File 2s).

The UK LLC default is for LPS to provide datasets as either STATA or SPSS files with variable and value labelling in place. Where an LPS does not routinely store data as STATA or SPSS then we ask that you create .csv data and metadata files to the structure detailed in Tables 1 - 3 below.

File 2s should have the same structure as the existing LPS’ file structure and documentation – they can have long or wide format and can contain hierarchies. Additional IDs (e.g. indicating an event) can be included, but these must not include externally meaningful IDs (e.g. NHS ID).

The variable names must be the same as the names used in LPS documentation.

Table 1: File 2 attribute data .csv specification (only relevant if you do not store data in STATA or SPSS files).

Field Name	Data Type
STUDY_ID	varchar(50) (Unique)
Timestampvariable	Variable indicating the date/time when data were collected
………..	LPS information

Please separate variable and value labels into two .csv metadata files as outlined in Tables 2 & 3 below.

Table 2: File 2 variable label .csv specification (only relevant if you do not store data in STATA or SPSS files).

Field Name	Data Type	Description
Dataset_Name	varchar(50)	The full and exact name you give the File 2 (see ‘File 2 naming conventions’) but do not include the file type postscript (e.g. do not include the .csv element).
Variable_Name	varchar(50)	The full and exact name that you use in your documentation for every variable included in the dataset.
Variable_Label	varchar(255)	The full and complete label that you use in your documentation for every variable included in the dataset.

Table 3: File 2 value label .csv specification (only relevant if you do not store data in STATA or SPSS files).

Field Name	Data Type	Description
Dataset_Name	varchar(50)	The full and exact name you give the File 2 (see ‘File 2 naming conventions’) but do not include the file type postscript (e.g. do not include the .csv element).
Variable_Name	varchar(50)	The full and exact name that you use in your documentation for every variable included in the dataset.
Value_Value	varchar(255)	The underlying (un-labelled) value (e.g. 1, 2).
Value_Label	varchar(255)	The full and complete label that you use in your documentation (e.g. Male, Female).

The File 2 naming conventions are on the next page