Answer Piping Variables allow you to insert, or "pipe", the answer text from a previous question into a question on a later page in the questionnaire, allowing for a more customized, dynamic, and personal survey experience. The piped answer text appears as a line of code in the questionnaire builder but when you preview or take the survey, this code will be replaced with the previously selected answer.

The following question types can be used to pipe answers from:

  • Single Selection
  • Multiple Selection
  • Dropdown Select
  • Line Scale
  • Numeric
  • Text Question
  • Single Selection Grid
  • Multiple Selection Grid
  • Numeric Grid
  • Semantic Differential Scale Grid
  • Bullseye
  • Preference
  • Ranking
  • Discrimination Questions (all)



SEE ALSO – Insert Variable Text for details on how to insert piped text from sample details, participant fields, and custom field from your test.


NOTES:
  • The variable text string is case sensitive and must be entered exactly as specified.
  • Variable text stings can be enclosed in either a '# #' or '{{ }}' bracket format. For example, #question_cid# and {{question_cid}} are both supported formats.
  • If there is no text entered in the question's response field or if no answer is selected (i.e. question not required or not asked based on trigger logic) no text will display where the variable text string is specified in the questionnaire.
  • Copying a questionnaire or saving to library as a template will not update the entered variable text strings. Variable text strings must be updated in your new questionnaire copy to reflect the new question's cid.
  • Answer piping from zipper questions is not currently supported.
  • Answer piping will only work within the same questionnaire the question is asked. Piping answers to external questionnaire is not currently supported.



To insert answer piping variable text: 

  1. Click a question to open the configuration window. Then click on ANSWER PIPING VARIABLES to open the question variables list.



  2. Search for the question you want to pipe the answer from, then click on COPY to copy the variable text string to clipboard.

    NOTE – The copy button and variable text string does not display for question types that are not supported to pipe answers from. Refer to the list of supported question types above.



  3. Paste the variable text string where you'd like the piped answer text to appear in the question.



  4. Click anywhere off the window to close it. The question updates on the page.

    The question variable text string displays blue, italicized and underlined in the Questionnaire Builder view, indicating a valid variable text string is being used.



  5. When you preview the test or when participants take the survey, the selected answer's text is displayed within the question.



    Multiple Selection question answers will display comma separated, for example:



    Grid question answers can display two different ways.

    Group Variable – The answer text from the individual group displays, for example:
     
    Question Variable – All groups and their answers display in a list, for example: