Survey question types reference
When you build a survey, you choose a question type for each question. The type determines how the question is presented and how respondents can answer. Choosing the right type makes your survey easier to complete and your data cleaner to analyse.
Support tip After setting up a question, click the Preview button to see exactly how it will look and behave for respondents.
Text fields
Small text field
A single-line text input for short, open-ended answers. Best for: names, short comments, codes, or any question where you want a brief written response.
Large text field
A multi-line text area for longer written answers. You can set the number of visible rows. Best for: open
feedback, suggestions, detailed opinions, or any question that needs more space.
Multiple choice
Multiple choice, one answer
A list of options where the respondent selects exactly one. Can be displayed as radio buttons or a
dropdown. Best for: single-preference questions, category selection, Yes/No questions, satisfaction levels.
Attention This is the only question type that supports survey scenarios (branching to different pages based on the selected answer). Scenarios require a multiple choice question with a maximum of one possible answer.
Multiple choice, multiple answers
A list of options where the respondent can select more than one, displayed as checkboxes. Best for: topics of interest, features they use, or any question with multiple valid answers.
Multiple choice with a small or large text field
A multiple choice question with an additional "Other" text field where respondents can write a custom
answer. Best for: when your predefined options might not cover every case.
Scales and grids
Matrix
A grid of multiple choice questions that share the same set of answer options. Each row is a sub-question; each column is a rating or option. Best for: evaluating multiple items on the same scale, such as rating different aspects of a product or event.
Pro tips
- For surveys focused on quantitative data, multiple choice and rating scale questions are the most useful, they produce results you can easily compare and visualise in charts.
- Reserve text fields for questions where a specific written answer adds genuine value. Too many open text questions make analysis labour-intensive.
- Use the matrix type to keep related rating questions compact, it reduces visual length without losing data.
- Match field types to your database fields when linking survey answers to contact records. A date question should link to a date-type database field.
Next steps
- See 'Create a survey' to build your first survey.
- See 'Survey scenarios' to use the multiple choice (one answer) type for branching logic.
- See 'Survey best practices' for guidance on writing effective questions.