About Multiple short text

Multiple short text shows several labeled one-line fields in one question. Each field is a subquestion. Use it for answers that belong together, such as first name, last name and city, or three words that describe a brand.

Add a Multiple short text question

1. Click the purple + in the top bar. The question type picker opens.

2. Under Text, click Multiple short text. The question appears at the end of the current question group.

3. Click Your question here and type your question.

4. Click the first subquestion and type the label of the field. Add subquestion below the last row adds another field.

Settings that matter

Select the question to open its settings on the right.

• Numbers only and Max characters (Simple tab): apply to every field of the question.
• Minimum answers and Maximum answers (Advanced > Logic): how many fields participants must or may fill in.
• Label wrapper width (Advanced > Display): the width of the labels next to the fields.
• Answer prefix and Answer suffix (Advanced > Display): text before or after every field.

How the answers are stored

Every field is stored on its own, for example Q021_SQ001 for the first field of a question with the code Q021. In the export, each field is a column.

Next steps

• Short text
• Multiple numerical input: several number fields
• Array (Texts): text fields in a grid

FAQ

Can I make only some fields required?

Mandatory applies to all fields. To require a number of fields, set Minimum answers instead, for example 2 of 3.

What happened to Input on demand?

Input on demand, which showed further fields one at a time, is not in the question type picker of LimeSurvey 7. Add all fields as subquestions and set Minimum answers to what you need.