# How to link a hierarchical extract with a rectangular extract in ATUS X? CASEID plus PERNUM?

**URL:** <https://forum.ipums.org/t/how-to-link-a-hierarchical-extract-with-a-rectangular-extract-in-atus-x-caseid-plus-pernum/2235>\
**Category:** TIME USE\
**Created:** [March 23, 2018, 11:19pm UTC](https://forum.ipums.org/t/how-to-link-a-hierarchical-extract-with-a-rectangular-extract-in-atus-x-caseid-plus-pernum/2235 "2018-03-23T23:19:00Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![rhnw](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e47774/32.png) [@rhnw](https://forum.ipums.org/u/rhnw)\
**Post date:** [March 23, 2018, 11:19pm UTC](https://forum.ipums.org/t/how-to-link-a-hierarchical-extract-with-a-rectangular-extract-in-atus-x-caseid-plus-pernum/2235/1 "2018-03-23T23:19:00Z")

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Two extracts have different variables. Would like to link both.

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**Author:** ![JeffBloem](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.ipums.org/jeffbloem/32/40_2.png) [@JeffBloem](https://forum.ipums.org/u/JeffBloem)\
**Post date:** [March 26, 2018, 3:30pm UTC](https://forum.ipums.org/t/how-to-link-a-hierarchical-extract-with-a-rectangular-extract-in-atus-x-caseid-plus-pernum/2235/2 "2018-03-26T15:30:00Z")

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Merging a rectangular file with a hierarchical file is possible using [CASEID](https://www.atusdata.org/atus-action/variables/CASEID#codes_section) and [PERNUM](https://www.atusdata.org/atus-action/variables/PERNUM#codes_section) as linking keys. However, unless I am missing something, all IPUMS Time Use variables should be available when creating a hierarchical file. So, you should not have to merge on any variables. Let us know if you are encountering any challenges.