Referencing Previous Question Options

The Referencing Previous Question Options feature allows you to display the selected option text or filled content from previous questions in the question stem of subsequent questions. This feature enables dynamic question content based on respondents' previous answers, creating a more personalized and contextual survey experience.

Feature Access

1. Navigate to the survey editing page and locate the question where you want to reference a previous question.

2. Click on the question stem input field to edit the question text.

3. You will see a "Refer" button or option in the question input area.

Method 1: Using the Reference Button

1. In the question input field, locate and click the "Refer" button.

2. A popup  dialog will appear showing all available questions that can be referenced.

3. Select the question you want to reference from the list.

4. The reference code (e.g., [q1]) will be automatically inserted into your question text at the cursor position.

5. When respondents answer the survey, the referenced question's selected option text or filled content will be displayed in place of the reference code.

Method 2: Manual Reference Code Entry

If you cannot see the "Refer" button in the question input field, you can manually enter the reference code:

1. In the question input field, position your cursor where you want to insert the reference.

2. Type the reference code in the format: [q1], where the number (1) represents the system question number of the question you want to reference.

- For example, to reference question 3, type: [q3]

- To reference question 5, type: [q5]

3. To find the system question number:

- Uncheck the "Hide System Question Number" option in the survey settings

- The system question numbers will be displayed next to each question

How It Works

When a respondent fills out your survey:example survey

1. The respondent answers the referenced question (e.g., Question 1: "What is your favorite color?" - Answer: "Blue")

2. When they reach the question that contains the reference (e.g., Question 2: "Why do you like [q1]?"), the system automatically replaces [q1] with the actual answer from Question 1

3. The question will display as: "Why do you like Blue?" instead of showing the reference code

Supported Question Types

Most question types can be referenced by subsequent questions, including:

- Single Choice Questions: The selected option text will be displayed

- Multiple Choice Questions: The selected option text(s) will be displayed

- Text Fill Questions: The filled text content will be displayed

- Rating Scale Questions: The selected rating value will be displayed

- Matrix Questions: The selected option text(s) will be displayed

- And other question types: Most question types support referencing

Note: Only MaxDiff and Conjoint Analysis question types cannot be referenced by subsequent questions.

Example Use Cases

Example 1: Personalized Follow-up Questions

Question 1: "What is your favorite programming language?"

- Options: Python, JavaScript, Java, C++

Question 2: "What do you like most about [q1]?"

- If respondent selected "Python" in Question 1, Question 2 will display: "What do you like most about Python?"

Example 2: Dynamic Product Feedback

Question 1: "Which product did you purchase?" (Single Text Fill)

- Respondent enters: "Laptop Model X"

Question 2: "How satisfied are you with [q1]?"

- Question 2 will display: "How satisfied are you with Laptop Model X?"

Important Notes

- Most question types can be referenced by subsequent questions, except for MaxDiff and Conjoint Analysis question types

- The reference code format is [qX], where X is the system question number

- You can reference multiple questions in a single question by using multiple reference codes (e.g., [q1] and [q2])

- The referenced question must appear before the question that references it in the survey flow

- If a respondent skips the referenced question (due to skip logic), the reference test will not be  display 

- For Multiple Choice questions, all selected options will be displayed

- System question numbers can be viewed by unchecking "Hide System Question Number" in survey settings

- Reference codes are case-sensitive and must be entered exactly as [qX] format

FAQs

Q1: Which question types can be referenced?

A: Most question types can be referenced by subsequent questions, including Single Choice, Multiple Choice, Text Fill, Rating Scale, Matrix questions, and many others. Only MaxDiff and Conjoint Analysis question types cannot be referenced.

Q2: How do I find the system question number?

A: To view system question numbers, uncheck the "Hide System Question Number" option in your survey settings. The system question numbers will then be displayed next to each question, allowing you to identify which number to use in your reference code.

Q3: What happens if I reference a question that appears after the current question?

A: The reference will not work correctly because the referenced question must appear before the question that references it in the survey flow. Always reference questions that appear earlier in your survey.

Q4: Can I reference multiple questions in one question?

A: Yes, you can reference multiple questions in a single question by using multiple reference codes. For example, "You selected [q1] and [q2]. Please explain why."

Q5: What happens if a respondent skips the referenced question?

A: If a respondent skips the referenced question (due to skip logic or other reasons), the reference question text  will not be rdisplay  Consider using display logic to ensure the referenced question is always answered before the referencing question.

Q6: What format should I use for the reference code?

A: The reference code must be entered in the format [qX], where X is the system question number. The format is case-sensitive, so use lowercase "q" and square brackets. For example, [q1], [q2], [q3], etc.

Q7: What happens with Multiple Choice questions when multiple options are selected?

A: When referencing a Multiple Choice question where multiple options are selected, all selected option texts will be displayed, typically separated by commas. For example, if Question 1 has options "Red", "Blue", and "Green" selected, [q1] will display as "Red, Blue, Green".

Q8: Can I use the reference feature in question options as well?

A: The reference feature is primarily designed for use in question stems (the question text). If you need to set up option reference logic, you can click to see how option reference logic works.

Q9: What if I don't see the "Reference" button in the question input field?

A: If you don't see the "Reference" button, you can manually enter the reference code. Simply type [qX] in the question text where X is the system question number of the question you want to reference.

Q10: Can I edit or remove a reference after adding it?

A: Yes, you can edit or remove references just like any other text in the question input field. Simply select and delete the reference code [qX] or modify it to reference a different question number.