A dictionary item describes the response to a question, or can help identify areas of the questionnaire. The dictionary item is the most basic element of a questionnaire: age, income, and crop code are all examples of items. There is no limit on the number of items that can be created within a record or dictionary.

Generally, related items should be placed in the same record; for example, questions appearing in a single table/roster that are asked of all household members would be candidates for inclusion in the same, repeating, record (possibly named PERSON_REC). Likewise, questions regarding the characteristics of a residential living quarters might all be placed in the same record (possibly named HOUSE_REC).

While data items have some of the same properties as records and levels (unique name, descriptive label), dictionary items also have several additional properties which are unique to items.

Items can also be redefined by subitems; for example, redefining date of birth from a single, 8-digit field into its constituent parts (day, month, and year).

See also: Identification Items, Item Properties, Add or Modify Items