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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 must create a question group first before you add questions to your survey. For more details on question groups, read the following wiki section.

Question types

To change the question type, you must first open the question in edit mode and click the General options tab located in the panel on the right side of the page:

Then, select the desired question type from the Select question type menu. To help ensure that you choose the correct question type, a preview of the question type is displayed in the Select question type panel.

Check our introduction on questions section for more information

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

Subpreguntas

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

An array allows you to create a set of subquestions. Each of them uses the same set of answer options. For example, you can use this question type when you need feedback on several aspects of a particular product.

Example 1: Question type - Array using flexible labels.zip

Example 2: Question type - Array - Semantic Differential Question Type.zip

Find out more about the Array question type...

Array (5 point choice)

It is an array type that is prefilled with answer choices. An 1 to 5 scale is used. A "No answer" answer option is automatically added if the question is not mandatory.

Hint: If you need scales other than 5 points, use the general array question type.

Example: Array 5 point choice example.zip

Find out more about the 5 Point Choice Array question type...

Array (10 point choice)

It is an array question type that is prefilled with answer choices on a 1 to 10 scale. A "No answer" answer option is automatically added if the question is not mandatory.

Hint: If you need to use another scale, change the question type to the general array question type.

Example: Array 10 point choice example.zip

Find out more about the 10 Point Choice Array question type...

Array (Yes/No/Uncertain)

It is an array question type that is prefilled with the following answer choices: "Yes", "No", and "Uncertain". You can also add a "No answer" choice if the question is not mandatory.

Example: Array Yes No Uncertain Example.zip

The "No answer" option is displayed if the question is not mandatory.

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

Array (Increase/Same/Decrease)

It is an array type that is prefilled with the following answer choices: "Increase", "Same", and "Decrease". A "No answer" answer option is automatically added if the question is set to be not mandatory.

Example: Array increase decrease example.zip

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

Array by column

This question type is the same as an array, except the subquestion and answer axes are swapped.

Example: Array by column example.zip

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

Array dual scale

This question type provides two scales of answer options for each subquestion. A heading can be set for each scale from the question display options:

You can also set a special question attribute to use this question type with dropdown boxes:

Example 1: Dual Scale Example.zip

Example 2: Dual Scale Dropdown Example.zip

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

Array (Numbers)

This question types allows survey administrators to a create large arrays with numbered dropdown boxes with a set of subquestions on the "y-axis", and another set of subquestions on the "x-axis".

You can also set a special question attribute to use this question type with checkboxes:

Example 1: Example_Array_Numbers

Example 2: Example_Array_Numbers_Checkboxes

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

Array (Texts)

The Array (Text) question type allows for an array of text boxes with a set of subquestions as the "y-axis", and another set of subquestions as the "x-axis".

Example: Array_Texts_Example_text.zip

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

Mask questions

Due to a lack of a better term, we define all questions where the input of answers is predefined as mask questions.

Date

This question type can be used to ask for a certain date, time or a combination of both date and time. The values can be selected by the participants either from a popup calendar or from dropdown boxes. Validation, minimum, and/or maximum dates can be chosen by the survey administrator. Various date and time formats are supported.

Example: Example_Date_Time.zip

Find out more about the Date question type...

File upload

The file upload question type can be used to collect file(s) from a user in response to a question. For example, a company with employment opportunities could use this question type to request the candidate to submit/upload his or her updated CV, as well as any other scanned documents in the employment survey.

Example: File upload question type.zip

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

Gender

This question type collects gender information ("Male" or "Female") from the respondents.

Example: Gender question type.zip

The "No answer" option is displayed if the question is not mandatory.

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

Find out more about the Gender question type...

Language switch

This question type allows the user to change the language of the survey. Users can choose from a dropdown list, the language in which they wish to have the survey questions displayed.

The dropdown list includes the base language (which is selected when the survey is created for the first time) and the additional ones (they can be edited from the general settings panel).

Example: Language switch question type

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

Numerical input

This question types asks the survey participant to enter a single number.

Example: Question_example_numerical_input.zip.

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

Multiple numerical input

This question type is a variation of the "Numerical input" question type. It allows multiple text boxes to be created, each of them allowing the survey respondents to enter only numbers. Each text box corresponds to an subquestion, the subquestion text being the label for the input.

Example: Multiple_numerical_input_question_type_example.zip

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

Ranking

This question type allows you to present your survey participants a list of possible answers/options, which they may then rank according to their preferences.

Example: Question type ranking.zip.

Find out more about the Ranking question type...

Advanced Ranking (new in 5.x)

This question type allows you to present your survey participants a list of possible answers/options in image form, which they may then rank according to their preferences.

Text display

This question type does not collect any input from the respondent. It just simply displays text. It can be used to provide further instructions or a design break in the survey.

Please note that you can write in the text of this question also html or javascript. In this way, you can use this question for other purposes.

Example: Text_display_example.zip

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

Yes/No

Survey administrators can collect "Yes" or "No" responses from the respondents with the help of this question type.

Example: Yes/No question type example.

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

Equation

Hint: Unlike all other question types, if an equation is hidden, it is still computed, its value being stored in the database.

Hint: Equation question type allow to assign a value to another Question. See how to use assignment Operator.

No HTML tag can be saved in the database due to security concerns.

This question type lets the author create an equation (e.g., a calculation or tailored report) and save it in a database variable. Equations can use any syntax supported by ExpressionScript. If you are handling numeric values make sure that you use the advanced question setting "Numbers only" as explained below.

You may find below an example on how to use this question type:

Example: Limesurvey_survey_BMIsample.lss.zip.

Find out more about the Equation question type...

Multiple choice questions

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

Multiple choice

This question type can collect input of multiple selections through checkboxes.

Example: Multiple choice question type example.

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

Multiple choice with comments

This question type can collect input of multiple selections through checkboxes, while allowing the user to provide additional comments.

Example: Multiple choice with questions example.zip

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

Bootstrap Buttons (new in 5.x)

This question type can collect input of multiple selections using a bootstrap button. Respondent can click and then it is selected.

Image Select Multiple Choice (new in 5.x)

This question type can collect input of multiple selections using an image. Respondent can click and then the image is selected.

The images must be first imported using the resources link on the survey settings. Then the images can be selected as the image to use for the sub-questions using the HTML editor.

Single choice questions

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

5 point choice

This question shows a horizontal 1 to 5 scale from where the survey participants can select a single answer option.

Example: Single choice question example.zip

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

List (Dropdown)

This question type collects input from a dropdown list menu. You can also create subcategories within this list by making use of the "Category separator" attribute.

Example: List dropdown question.zip

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

List (Radio)

This question type collects input from a list of radio buttons.

Example: List_radio_example.zip

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

List with comment

This question type displays a list of radio buttons, while allowing the participants to provide a additional comment with their submission.

Example: List_with_comment_example.zip

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

Image Select List (Radio) (New in 5.x)

This question type will allow you to collect single input from a list of images.

The images can be added using the sub-question HTML Editor.

Bootstrap Button (New in 5.x)

This question type collects single input from a list of bootstrap buttons.

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

This question type collects a single line of text input.

Example: Short_free_text_question.zip

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

Long free text

This question type collects multiple lines of text input.

Example: Long_free_text_example.zip

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

Huge free text

This question type collect multiple lines of text input, allowing more text to be typed in.

Example: Huge_free_text_example.zip

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

Multiple short text

This question type is a variation on the "Short Text" question type which allows more than one text entry per question. The user first defines the question and can then add additional text boxes by adding 'Answers'. Each answer becomes the label of the new text box.

Example: Multiple_short_text_example.zip

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

Browser Detect (new in 5.x)

The browser detects question type captures the browser the respondent is using and the operating system.

When the "use mapping services" is enabled, then there will be a map displayed.

Note: To use google maps, a valid Google Maps API key must be inserted into the field available in the global settings of your installation.

Respondents can use the pin to select a location on the map.

Input on Demand (new in 5.x)

The input on demand displays one column at a time and respondents can use the add button to add more answers. Other options are available. Use the question settings to add more options.

Styling questions

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

Question types/pt

From LimeSurvey Manual