Question types

=Introduction=

This page offers you a visual overview of all available question types. You can also see it as a starting point from where you can get to different wiki sections that explain in detail every question type.

The LimeSurvey download package includes a sample survey which includes all question types. You'll find it in your "/docs/demosurveys/" directory. Import each of them and try every question type!

Please note that a LimeSurvey survey consists of question groups which contain one or more question. Therefore, you have to create a question group first before you can start adding questions to your survey. For more details on question groups, access the following wiki section.

=Question types=

To change the type of a question, you have to first access the panel from where you edit the respective question. Then, click on the General options tab located in the right part of the screen:



Then, select the desired form for your question from the Select question type menu (check also the screenshots to choose the right question type for your inquiry):





The following question styles can be used within a survey in LimeSurvey:


 * Arrays
 * Mask questions
 * Multiple choice questions
 * Single choice questions
 * Text questions

Subquestions
Usually a question only has answers. But there are certain question types (like the Array question type) which are basically a subset of questions where each subquestion can be answered by the survey participant (often by using a predefined scale of answer options).



A more complex example is the question type 'Array of texts' where the respondent has to enter values for combinations. In that case the value entered by the respondent is the 'answer' and the two scales on the array are two scales of subquestions.



Arrays
The Array question type further extends the List question type. Using this question type, a matrix can be displayed where the left column is represented by a subquestion, while each row is represented by the same set of answer options. The text of the question can be either a specific question or a description.

In terms of output there is no difference in how responses are stored compared to List (Radio) question type. The given answer is stored in a separate column in the result table for both question types.

The most flexible array types are Array, Array (Text) and ''Array (Numbers)'. However, LimeSurvey also supports a number of array types which have predefined answer options (e.g., Array 5 point choice).

To quickly understand the basics of array-type questions, check the following video tutorial.

Array
Find out more about the Array question type...

Array (5 point choice)
Find out more about the 5 Point Choice Array question type...

Array (10 point choice)
Find out more about the 10 Point Choice Array question type...

Array (Yes/No/Uncertain)
Find out more about the Yes/No/Uncertain Array question type...

Array (Increase/Same/Decrease)
Find out more about the Increase/Same/Decrease Array question type...

Array by column
Find out more about the Array by Column question type...

Array dual scale
Find out more about the Array Dual Scale question type...

Array (Numbers)
Find out more about the numbers Array question type...

Array (Texts)
Find out more about the text Array question type...

Mask questions
Due to a lack of better word we define all questions where the input of answers is predefined as 'mask questions'.

Date
Find out more about the Date question type...

File upload
Find out more about the File Upload question type...

Gender
You may also add a "No answer" choice if the question is not mandatory.

Find out more about the Gender question type...

Language switch
Find out more about the Language Switch question type...

Numerical input
Find out more about the Numerical Input question type...

Multiple numerical input
Find out more about the Multiple numerical input question type...

Ranking
Find out more about the Ranking question type...

Text display
Find out more about the Text Display question type...

Yes/No
Find out more about the Yes/No question type...

Equation
Find out more about the Equation question type...

Multiple choice questions
Sometimes you want the participan to mark more than one answer option in the same question; this is achieved using checkboxes.

Multiple choice
Find out more about the Multiple Choice Question type...

Multiple choice with comments
Find out more about the Multiple Choice With Comments question type...

Single choice questions
Single choice questions are those where the participant can only pick a single predefined answer option.

5 point choice
Find out more about the 5 Point Choice question type...

List (Dropdown)
Find out more about the List Dropdown question type...

List (Radio)
Find out more about the List Radio question type...

List with comment
Find out more about the List with comment question type...

Text questions
LimeSurvey provides a number of possible variations of the standard text field. All of these can be defined further using the attributes of the question which permit to restrict the number of characters as well as the size of the field.

Furthermore text input can be validated by using regular expressions.

Short free text
Find out more about the Short Free Text question type...

Long free text
Find out more about the Long Free Text question type...

Huge free text
Find out more about the Huge Free Text question type...

Multiple short text
Find out more about the Multiple Short Text question type...

=Styling questions=

It is possible to generally edit the question layout/design by using CSS. You can find more information at styling questions with CSS