Add answers in a batch

Use the Batch Editor to quickly create multiple answers, columns, and rows. You can also use the Batch Editor to format and pipe text.

Note: Once your survey is live, you will no longer be able to batch edit answers.

Example: Add an answer set to a Single Choice question

You want to ask participants to rate their level of satisfaction. Instead of creating a new answer for each response, you can type all of the responses at one time.

After you click OK, the application automatically adds each item of text to its own field.

Note:

• Using the Batch Editor to modify text that is referenced in another question will affect your survey logic. For more information, see Pipe answers into question or answer text and Skip or display questions.
• You can use the Batch Editor to add more answers and arrange items in an existing question. However, if you change the text the application will treat it as a new answer. To preserve the image and properties in an existing answer, use the Answer field in the Edit Pane to change the text.
• You can change an answer's text after you distribute your survey. However, any data the answer collected in distribution will be removed after you publish your changes. For more information, see Publish changes in a live survey.
• For multiple communities with different locales, this feature is not available for secondary survey locales. Instead, you can use the batch translation menu to import and export translations into your multilingual survey. For more information, see Export and prepare the batch translations template and Import batch translations.

This feature is available in the following question types:

• Single Choice questions
• Single Choice Grid questions
• Multiple Choice
• Multiple Choice Grid
• Allocation
• Rank Order
• Card Sort (modern surveys)

You can paste text into a question from the following document formats:

• Text file
• PDF
• Microsoft Word or similar word processing software
  Note: Depending on your word processing software, supported styling (bold, italic, hyperlinks) may be preserved, however, all other styling will be removed.

1. In the Edit Pane, above the answer text field, click one of the following options:

   Question type	Option
   Single Choice Multiple Choice	Add Answers in Batch
   Multiple Choice Grid Single Choice Grid	Add Columns in Batch Add Rows in Batch
   Single Choice Grid Cards	Add Categories in Batch Add Items in Batch
   Allocation Rank Order	Add items in Batch

2. Type or paste your answers in the text field.
   
3. Optional: Remove the answer text.
   • Click Clear all to delete all of your text.
   • Click Cancel to close the dialog without adding items.
4. Click OK.
   The application automatically adds each item of text to its own field.
5. Optional: Format your text.
   Tip: You can add a line break to an answer by typing Shift + Enter if you are on a PC or Shift + Return if you are on a Mac.
6. Optional: Pipe an answer from a previous question into the answer text.
7. After you have added your items, you can:
   • Add an image to an answer
   • Set the behavior for the question items

Parent topic: Question formatting