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What Question Types Can I Use in a Questionnaire?

See the answer types available for questionnaire questions and when to use each one.

Every question in a questionnaire has an Answer type that controls how the client answers it. Choosing the right type makes the questionnaire quicker for your client to complete and gives your firm answers in a consistent format.


You can change the answer type at any time while you are editing a question.


📝 The answer types


Short text
A single-line box. Use it for brief answers such as a name, a reference number, or a place.


Long text
A larger box for several sentences. Use it when you want the client to describe something in their own words, such as what has happened in the matter so far.


Single choice
A list of options where the client picks one. The client sees radio buttons. Use it when the answers are mutually exclusive, such as the current stage of a probate matter.


Multiple choice
A list of options where the client can pick as many as apply. The client sees checkboxes. Use it for questions like which steps have already been completed.


Yes / No
Two buttons. Use it for a straight yes or no, such as whether there are any known disputes.


Date
A date picker. Use it for deadlines, hearing dates, or dates of death.


Phone
A box for a telephone number.


Address
A box for a postal address.


🔘 Adding options to choice questions


Single choice and Multiple choice are the only types that need you to supply the answers. When you select either type, controls appear for adding your options. Add one option per answer you want the client to be able to pick.


It is worth including an escape route so a client is never stuck. Options such as None of the above or Unsure let a client answer honestly instead of guessing or abandoning the questionnaire.


⚙️ Settings on every question


Whichever answer type you choose, each question also has:

  • Question. The text your client reads.

  • Help text. An optional second line under the question. Use it to explain what you mean, give an example, or tell the client it is fine to leave the answer blank.

  • Required question. A toggle. When it is on, the client cannot submit the questionnaire without answering. Required questions show a red asterisk.


🔀 Can I show different questions based on an answer?


Not yet. Conditional questions, where answering yes leads to one question and no leads to another, are not currently available. Every client sees every question, in the order you arranged them. Conditional questions are coming soon.


In the meantime, there are a few ways to handle questions that only apply to some clients:

  • Use help text to set the condition. Add a line such as "Only answer this if you selected Yes above" or "Leave blank if this does not apply". Clients follow this readily when it sits directly under the question.

  • Leave conditional questions optional. Turn Required question off for any question that will not apply to everyone, so a client who does not need it can still submit.

  • Add a "Not applicable" option. On choice questions, give clients a way to say the question does not apply to them rather than skipping it. You then know they read it.

  • Build separate questionnaires. Where two groups of clients need genuinely different questions, make a questionnaire for each and assign whichever fits. Duplicating an existing questionnaire is the quickest way to build the second one. (Learn more)


💡 Good to Know

  • Use the QUESTIONNAIRE PREVIEW pane while you build to see exactly how each answer type will look to your client.

  • Be sparing with Required question. A client who genuinely does not know the answer cannot get past a required question, and may abandon the questionnaire rather than guess.

  • If you are asking for something a client may need to look up, say so in Help text rather than in the question itself. It keeps the question short and scannable.


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💬 Need Help?


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