Survey question data types
You must choose a data type for each survey question. The data type determines the format of the question and the kind of data that is collected on survey questionnaires.
The following data types are available for surveys:
Attachment data type
On questionnaires, users can attach one or more files to a question.
Users click the Manage Attachments icon and select one or more files in the Attachments pop-up window to attach to the question. From this window, users can:
- View a list of the attached files.
- View an attached file in a separate window.
- Rename an attached file.
- Add or delete files
Once a survey has been submitted, attachments cannot be updated or deleted.
Any type of file supported by the platform can be attached to a question. One or more files can be attached a question while taking a survey or completing an assessment.
The assessment administrator can see the attachments associated with an individual question as well as those associated with the survey.
See Administering attachments for more information.
Boolean data type
On questionnaires, users select a check box beside a statement or leave it cleared.
Boolean data type question
If you select Boolean, you must fill in the Scale definition field. Select High if it is best when users select the check box.
Choice data type
On questionnaires, users select a value from a list of choices.
Choice data type question
If you select Choice, you must fill in the Scale definition field and create answer options. Select High for the scale definition if the answer option with the largest metric definition Value is best.
Note: The system sets the Min and Max fields automatically based on the Value settings for the associated metric definitions.
Date and Date/Time data types
The Date and Date/Time data types are similar.
- Date: On questionnaires, users select a date.
Date data type question
- Date/Time: On questionnaires, users select a date and time.
Date/time data type question
Likert Scale data type
On questionnaires, users select a multiple choice value from a custom Likert scale. Each answer option is represented by a radio button on the scale. A Likert scale question that evaluates an application's ease of use might have the answer options Easy, Average, and Difficult.
Likert scale data type question
If you select Likert Scale, you must fill in the Scale definition field and create answer options. Select High for the scale definition if the answer option with the largest metric definition Value is best.
Note: The system sets the Min and Max fields automatically based on the Value settings for the associated metric definitions.
Number data type
On questionnaires, users enter a number.
Number data type question
If you select Number, you must fill in these additional fields:
- Scale definition: Select High if a larger number is better, such as for a question that measures the number of sales made in a quarter.
- Min and Max: Enter the smallest and largest numbers users can enter. State the range of acceptable answers in the question text.
Percentage data type
On questionnaires, users enter a number.
Percentage data type question
If you select Percentage, you must fill in these additional fields:
- Scale definition: Select High if a larger percentage is better, such as for a question that measures the percentage of work an agent has completed.
- Min and Max: Enter the smallest and largest numbers users can enter. Generally 0 and 100 are appropriate minimum and maximum values. If you choose values other than 0 and 100, it is usually best to state the range of acceptable answers in the question text.
Reference data type
On questionnaires, users select a value from a list that is generated from a specified reference table. The response field supports auto-completion.
Note: Reference qualifiers are not supported.
For example, a user could select a user name in response to a question if you specify User [sys_user] as the reference table.
Reference data type question
String data type
On questionnaires, users enter text. When you select String, the String option field appears. Select one of the following options to determine how the string field appears on questionnaires:
String single-line data type question
String single-line wide data type question
String multiline data type question
Template data type
On questionnaires, users select a value from a predefined series of answer options. To use this data type, a question template must be defined.
If you select Template, you must fill in these additional fields:
- Template: Select a template.
- Scale definition: Select High if the answer option with the largest template definition Value is best.
Yes/No data type
On questionnaires, users select Yes or No from a list.
Yes/no data type question
If you select Yes/No, you must fill in the Scale definition field. Select High if Yes is the best answer.
Image Scale data type
On questionnaires, users select an image from a predefined set of images as their response. Image scale questions can also be used in a template for better performance with surveys that have the same type of answer options.
Five emojis, similar to the Likert scale (very dissatisfied to very satisfied) are provided. However, you can upload additional images in JPG, PNG, or GIF format. Two images can be uploaded, one for selected case and another for unselected case. For example, the selected image can be
Representation of selected image, and the unselected image can be \[Omitted image "Unselected\_image.png"\] Alt text: Representation of unselected image. Larger size images are reduced to 64 x 64 pixels.
Image Scale data type question
The result behavior depends on the presence of uploaded images. If no selected image is uploaded, then the question shows up blank.
| Selected image | Unselected image | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | Yes | Unselected image loads. Clicking the image changes it to the selected image. |
| Yes | No | Selected image loads with 50% opacity. Clicking the image changes the opacity to 100%. |
| No | Yes | A blank placeholder box is displayed. |
| No | No | A blank placeholder box is displayed. |
Note:
- N/A option is not supported for image scale type question.
- For an image scale type question, an empty string is saved as an answer for a hidden and dependent question of an unselected image.
Multiple selection data type
On questionnaires, users can select multiple check boxes indicating all answers that apply. For instance, a user can be instructed to "Select all that apply" in a multiple selection question.
Multiple Selection data type question
Ranking data type
On questionnaires, users can select a different order number for each option to rank them. Drag-and-drop functionality is also supported, which allows a user to either fill in the number, or simply drag an option.
Setting the order of the options
One order number cannot be selected twice. This question can be mandatory and it can also be dependent on a parent question, but not vice versa.
Parent Topic:Survey designer
Parent Topic:Survey questions
Related topics
Configure a survey in the survey designer
Create a question in the survey designer
Edit a survey in the survey designer
Configure category weights for a survey
Create or modify survey questions
Add a metric category and metric in the question bank for surveys
Create or modify answer options