Overview: Question types
About question types
Every question has a type. The type decides what participants see and what kind of answer they give: one choice from a list, several choices, a ranking, text, a number, a date, a file or a grid of ratings. LimeSurvey offers 28 question types in seven groups. You pick the type when you add a question, and you can change it later as long as the survey is not active.
Pick a type
Open your survey in the editor and click the purple + in the top bar (1). The question type picker opens.
Type part of a name into Search for a question type (2), or look through the groups (4) and click a type (5). The picker scrolls: the Array group is below Number.
The question appears at the end of the current question group. Click Your question here and type your question.
In the picture: 1 the purple +, which shows an x while the picker is open, 2 the search field, 3 Add question group, which adds a group instead of a question, 4 a group, 5 a question type.
To change the type of an existing question, select it and click Type in the question settings. See Choose or change the question type.
All 28 types
| Group | Question type | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| Single choice | List (radio) | One answer from a short list, all options visible |
| Single choice | List with comment (Radio) | One answer plus a comment box |
| Single choice | List image select (Radio) | One answer from a set of pictures |
| Single choice | 5 point choice | A quick rating from 1 to 5 |
| Single choice | Dropdown | One answer from a long list, such as countries |
| Single choice | Single choice buttons | One answer from a few large buttons |
| Multiple choice | Multiple choice | Several answers from a list |
| Multiple choice | Multiple choice with comments | Several answers, each with a comment |
| Multiple choice | Multiple choice buttons | Several answers as toggle buttons |
| Multiple choice | Image select multiple choice | Several answers from a set of pictures |
| Ranking & rating | Ranking advanced | Putting items in order of preference |
| Ranking & rating | Gender | Female or male |
| Ranking & rating | Yes/No | A yes or no answer |
| Dates & data | Map/browser detection | A location on a map, or the browser of the participant |
| Dates & data | Date/time | A date, a time or both |
| Dates & data | File upload | Files such as a CV or a photo |
| Text | Short text | A word or one line |
| Text | Long text | Comments and open feedback |
| Text | Multiple short text | Several labeled text fields, such as contact details |
| Text | Text display | Instructions, no answer |
| Number | Numerical input | One number |
| Number | Multiple numerical input | Several numbers, optionally with a required total |
| Number | Equation | A value LimeSurvey calculates from other answers |
| Array | Array (Point choice) | Several items rated on the same scale |
| Array | Array (Texts) | A grid of text fields |
| Array | Array (Numbers) | A grid of numbers |
| Array | Array by column | Several items rated in columns instead of rows |
| Array | Array dual scale | Several items rated on two scales at once |
Choose the right type
- One answer from a list: List (radio) for up to about ten options, Dropdown for longer lists.
- Several answers from a list: Multiple choice. Use Maximum answers if participants may pick only a few.
- The same scale for several items: Array (Point choice) instead of many separate questions.
- An order of preference: Ranking advanced.
- A number you want to calculate with: Numerical input rather than Short text, so only numbers get in.
- Open feedback: Long text.
Answer options and subquestions
Some types need more than the question text. Single choice types have answer options, the choices to pick from. Multiple choice types, Ranking advanced, Multiple short text and Multiple numerical input have subquestions, one per checkbox, item or field. Arrays have subquestions as rows and answer options as the scale in the columns. You add both directly on the question in the editorial area. See Add subquestions and answer options.
How answers are stored
Every question has a question code, for example Q003. A question with subquestions stores one answer per subquestion, for example Q009_SQ001 for the first option of a multiple choice question. You use these names in conditions and equations, and each of them is a column when you export your responses. To see the codes in the editor, open the ... menu at the top right and switch on Question codes under View. See Question and answer codes.
Older question types
Array (5 point choice), Array (10 point choice), Array (Yes/No/Uncertain), Array (Increase/Same/Decrease), Huge free text and Language switch are no longer in the question type picker. Surveys that already contain them keep working: participants see these questions and their answers are saved. The editor shows the question text, but instead of the settings it shows "This question type isn't supported in the new editor yet".
- To change such a question, rebuild it with a current type: Array (Point choice) with your own scale, or Long text instead of Huge free text.
- A language switch question is not needed any more. A survey with more than one language shows a language menu to participants. See Run a survey in several languages with Quick translation.
- You can also edit these questions in the classic editor: switch with Editor version in the account menu at the top right.
Next steps
- Add and edit a question
- Add subquestions and answer options
- Conditions: show a question only when it applies
FAQ
Can I change the type after I wrote the question?
Yes, as long as the survey is not active. Select the question, click Type in the question settings and pick the new type. Check the answer options and subquestions afterwards: a type that does not use them does not show them.
Which type should I use for a rating scale?
For one item, 5 point choice gives a 1 to 5 scale, and List (radio) or Single choice buttons take a scale with your own labels. For several items on the same scale, use Array (Point choice).
How do I remove the "No answer" option?
No answer appears on questions that are not mandatory. Set Mandatory to On in the question settings, or turn No answer off for the whole survey under Presentation > Presentation.