Button Multi-Select Question

Last updated
Save as PDF

1: About the Button Select (Multi-Select) Question

The button select (multi-select) element utilizes a multi-select form and must contain buttons. It is a 1-dimensional version of the button select grid question. This element does not utilize flash.

Example of this question are displayed below in the following table.

Example: View on larger screens, such as Desktops

Example: View on smaller screens, such as Smartphones

Notes & Considerations:

The button select question is mobile compatible.
Matches familiar real-world usage (e.g., ATM machines) that most respondents are familiar with. Selecting answers requires very little effort because of the large hit area. This significantly reduces both cognitive and kinematic load (click fatigue).

Learn more: Button Select Concepts

2: Adding a Button Select (Multi-Select) Question

Note: You can set the "Show" filter to display only elements that are compatible or optimized for the devices allowed for your project. Click here to learn how to how verify your project settings.

To insert a button select (multi-select) element, add a new survey element, select the "Dynamic" tab and choose "Button Select" (multi-select). Then click "Insert".

Enter question text and instructions.

Click "New Button" to add an answer option.

Enter all answer options in the appropriate sections. Button select (multi-select) elements must contain buttons.

2.1 Answer Actions

Click "Row/Button Actions" to access the following:

3: Style Settings

To configure the display settings for the button select (multi-select) element, click the "Style: Button Select" link.

The "Style"Editor" window opens for you to specify how the question will display using the options at the left. Mouse-over an option to display information about the feature at the right. After you have selected the styles, click "Save".

Style Option	Description
Layout	Choose the layout for the buttons. Vertical: Aligns buttons vertically Tiled: Tiles the buttons in a grid format Horizontal: Aligns the button horizontally
Show Form in Button	For this question type, respondents click a button to select an answer. This option determines whether or not the answer form (e.g.checkbox) shows within the button. Yes: Additionally shows the answer form within the buttons. No: Hides the answer form and only shows the buttons.
Large Screens
Button size	Width If the layout is vertical: Min Width: Define the minimum width allowed for larger screens in pixels, em, or a percentage. If the unit is not specified, it defaults to %. Note: For tiled or horizontal layouts, this setting does not apply. For all layouts: Max Width: Define the maximum width allowed for larger screens in pixels, em or a percentage. Height If the layout is horizontal: Min Height: Define the minimum height allowed for larger screens in pixels, em or percentage. If the unit is not specified, it defaults to %. Note: For vertical or tiled layouts, this setting does not apply. For all layouts: Max Height: Define the maximum height allowed for larger screens in pixels, em, or a percentage.
Alignment	Buttons within the page: Left: Left-align buttons Center: Center-align button Right: Right-align buttons Content inside the button: Left: Left-aligns the content Center: Center-aligns the content Right: Right-aligns the content
Small Screens
Button size	Width If the layout is vertical: Min Width: Define the minimum width allowed for smaller screens in pixels, em, or a percentage. If the unit is not specified, it defaults to %. Note: For tiled or horizontal layouts, this setting does not apply. For all layouts: Max Width: Define the maximum width allowed for larger screens in pixels, em or a percentage. Height If the layout is horizontal, Min Height: Define the minimum height allowed for smaller screens in pixels, em, or a percentage. Note: For vertical or tiled layouts, this setting does not apply. For all layouts: Max Height: Define the maximum height allowed for smaller screens in pixels, em, or a percentage.
Alignment	Buttons within the page: Left: Left-align buttons Center: Center-align button Right: Right-align buttons Content inside the button: Left: Left-align content. Center: Centers the content Right: Right-aligns content

4: Question Options

The options available are located on the right side of the screen. You can set rules for the entire question by clicking near the question text or set rules for individual rows or columns by clicking on the row or column you wish to edit. The option section will show the question, row or column text, label and type you have selected to edit.

4.1: General Options

Each of the following options, when altered, affect all attributes within the button select (multi-select) element.

Label: The label assigned to the element. You may edit the default label for the element here.
Type: Displays the element type. You may change the element type to multi-select, number, select or text.
Show If: Allows you to create new logic conditions or select an existing logic condition for the element. For more information, click here.
Languages: Select what languages the element will show in if the survey has multiple languages. The default is "all languages".
Min Answers: This option allows you to define the minimum number of answers the respondent must select in order to complete the question.
Max Answers: This option allows you to define the maximum number of answers the respondent may select.
Randomize: Items can be randomized by rows, columns, or both. To watch a video tutorial, click here.
Randomize Groups: This option is available if there are row groups. When checked this option will randomize the groups.
More Options: Use the dropdown menu to select less commonly used options. Once selected, you will be able to specify the setting for that option. For more information on each option, click here.
Raw Options: If you prefer to manually enter the XML options, use the "raw options" dialog. This is useful for copying and pasting options between survey elements.
Raw Validate: If you prefer to manually enter validation code, use the "Raw Validate" dialog. Click here for an example of using the "Raw Validate" option.

4.2: Row Options

These options only affect specific row/button line attributes.

Label: The label assigned to the row. You may edit the default label for the row here.
Data Value: The value assigned to the row in the data. You may edit the default value for the row here if the option is available.
Show If: Allows you to create new logic conditions or select an existing logic condition for the row. For more information, click here.
Languages: Select what languages the row will show in if the survey has multiple languages. The default is "all languages".
Do Not Randomize: This option is only available if the "randomize" general option is selected. Checking this box will anchor the line to remain in place. To watch a video tutorial, click here.
Optional: This option is only available if the "mandatory" general option is selected. When checked it will allow for the row to become optional and non-mandatory.
Exclusive: When checked this option will make the row exclusive. The respondent will not be able to select the "exclusive" row with any other options in the row.
Open End: Allows you to add an open end response box to the row by selecting "Mandatory" or "optional" from the dropdown menu. "Mandatory means the respondent must enter feedback in the response box to continue if the row is selected. "Optional means that feedback is not required.
Hidden: This option will hide the row from respondents.
More Options: Use the dropdown menu to select less commonly used options. Once selected, you will be able to specify the setting for that option. For more information on each option, click here.
Raw Options: If you prefer to manually enter the XML options, use the "raw options" dialog. This is useful for copying and pasting options between survey elements.