Import a survey | LimeSurvey

Import a survey

About importing a survey

Importing creates a new survey from a survey file, for example a backup or a survey exported from another LimeSurvey site. The import always creates a new survey. Surveys already in your workspace stay as they are.

LimeSurvey imports three kinds of files, up to 40 MB:

  • Survey structure (.lss): questions, groups, conditions and settings, without responses. This is the usual file for a backup or a move.
  • Survey archive (.lsa): the structure plus responses, participants and timings.
  • Tab-separated text (.txt): the survey structure as a table, for example edited in a spreadsheet.

To create such a file, see Export a survey.

Import the file

In the workspace, click the purple + in the top bar (1) and then Import (2).

The workspace with the New survey menu open and two areas numbered 1 and 2, the purple plus button and Import

In the Import survey dialog:

  1. Drop the file on Select or drop a file here (1), or click the area and select the file.

  2. Under Survey group (2), choose Import on default survey group, or Keep the survey group from the imported file.

  3. Leave Convert resource links and expression fields? selected (3). LimeSurvey then points links to images and files, and references in expressions, to the new survey.

  4. Click Import survey (4).

The Import survey dialog with four areas numbered 1 to 4, from the file area to Import survey

Before you activate the imported survey, check its settings, such as the start and end date, the notifications and the theme.

Note: A file exported from a newer LimeSurvey version than your site does not import.

Next steps

FAQ

Are responses imported?

Only from a survey archive (.lsa). A survey structure file (.lss) holds no responses.

Import in the ... menu of the editor is greyed out. Where do I import?

In the workspace: click the purple + in the top bar and then Import.

Can I import a single question or question group?

No. The survey editor does not import question files (.lsq) or group files (.lsg). See Reuse questions and groups.

Can I build a survey in a LimeSurvey on my own computer and import it here?

Yes. Export it there as a survey structure file (.lss) or a survey archive (.lsa) and import it here. A file from a newer LimeSurvey version than your survey site doesn't import.