Create a Short Answer question

Ask participants to formulate a one- or two-word answer using their own words instead of selecting from a list of possible answers.

With Short Answer questions you can ask participants to enter their:

• First and last name
• Street address
• City name
• State or Province

Short answer question from the participant's perspective

Modern survey (mobile):

Classic survey (desktop):

Classic survey (mobile):

Note:

• In mobile view, the default line height is always 1 line.
• In desktop view, the default line height depends on the Minimum and maximum response length setting:
  • If the setting is 75 characters or less, the line height is 1 line.
  • If the setting is 76 characters or more, the line height is 2 lines.

1. From the Survey Builder Toolbox, under Core Questions > Open Text Questions, do one of the following:
   • Drag the Short Answer question to the Table of Contents.
   • Click the Short Answer question.
   
2. In the Table of Contents, click the Short Answer question.
   The Edit Pane appears.
3. Optional: Edit the Question name.

   Question names:

   • Should be unique.
   • Can contain symbols and all alphanumeric characters.
   • Are not displayed to participants.
4. In the Question text field, enter the question text.
   Note: The recommended character limit is 2500.
5. Optional: Set the Minimum and maximum response length.
6. Optional: Select Enable AI Generated Follow-up Questions.
   This option turns the AI Follow-Up feature on or off. Enabling AI Follow-Up prompts participants to elaborate on their answers and can lead to better open-ended responses. For more information, see AI Follow-Up (beta).

   Note: For this feature to work as intended, the Short Answer question must be on its own page.
7. Optional: Once you have authored your question, you can also:
   • Format the question
   • Pipe answers or variables into the question or answer text
   • Set the answer behavior
   • Define how participants move through the survey
   • Hide the question
   • Duplicate the question
   • Delete the question
8. Optional: Select Treat response as sensitive data.

   This option controls whether the application purges personally identifiable information collected through this question, for members who have become inactive. System variables such as FirstName, LastName, and email are flagged as sensitive data by default. For more information, see Sensitive data.

   Note: Admins can change this setting. To change this setting as a Power User or an Author, you must have the Can access sensitive data permission.
9. Optional: To preview the question in desktop or mobile view, in the Edit Pane, click Preview.
   
   A preview of your survey appears, starting with the selected question.

   Note: Preview in mobile view simulates the mobile experience. For best results, preview your question on a mobile device.

Parent topic: Open End questions