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Survey scripting & advanced logic
Randomize with fixed options, shuffle grid columns, require full rankings, build variables (counts, sums, dates, hidden values), pipe answers and dates, format text, and import Word questionnaires exactly as written.
What this guide helps you do
Script research-grade questionnaires in the builder: randomization with fixed options, grid column shuffling, variables for counts, sums, dates and hidden values, piping, text formatting, and Word imports kept exactly as written.
Before you start
- Have the questionnaire and its scripting instructions (e.g. ASK IF, RANDOMIZE, SINGLE CODE) at hand.
- Know the question names you will reference (A1, Q5, BS3…).
- Open the survey in the builder (Forms → the survey → Edit Form).
What you will do
- Import a Word questionnaire exactly as written
- Randomize options but keep some in place
- Shuffle grid columns
- Save the order each respondent saw
- Require every option to be ranked
- Create a variable (count, sum, date)
- Create a hidden "dummy" value from earlier answers
- Manage variables
- Pipe answers, Other text and dates
- Copy choices from one or more questions
- Show a random subset of questions
- Bold, italic and underline
You are done when
- Randomization, fixed options and rank-all rules behave as specified in Preview.
- Variables show the expected values when piped into question text.
- The Excel export contains the order and variable columns you need.
Overview
These tools cover what research scripters ask for most. Options, grid rows and grid columns can be randomized while selected items (Other, Don't know, None) stay in place, and the order each respondent saw is saved. Variables, created in the Logic tab, hold the count of selected options, sums and averages, dates, or a hidden value chosen from earlier answers; type {name} to show one anywhere. Uploaded Word, PDF or Excel questionnaires keep their question numbers, wording, order and answer codes, with nothing added.
When to use this feature
Step-by-step guide
Import a Word questionnaire exactly as written
Go to Forms → Create Survey. In the Create New Survey window click Attach file and choose the Word, PDF or Excel questionnaire. Under the file name keep "Keep my questionnaire exactly as written" ticked (default), then click Generate. Question names match the document (A1 stays A1), answer codes become the values (Yes = 1, No = 2), grid statements are named Q20_1, Q20_2…, and no intro, age/gender or extra questions are added. Scripting instructions such as ASK IF Q3 = 1 are kept in each question's General → Scripting note, which respondents never see. Untick the box only if you want the AI to design a new survey from the file.
Randomize options but keep some in place
In the Builder, click the question; its settings panel opens on the right. In Choice Options set "Choice order" to Random (for a grid: Rows → "Row order" = random). In the list of options, click the small arrow (›) at the start of the option to keep fixed (e.g. Other specify, Can't say) and switch off "Include in randomization (off = keep in its position)". Repeat for each anchored option and check in Preview.
Shuffle grid columns
Click the grid question, open Columns in the settings panel and set "Column order" to random. Each respondent sees their own stable order. To anchor a column (e.g. Don't know), open it with the arrow (›) and switch off "Include in randomization".
Save the order each respondent saw
Nothing to set: when options, rows or columns are randomized, the order shown is saved with the response. The Excel export adds {question}_Order and, for shuffled grid columns, {question}_ColumnOrder next to the question.
Require every option to be ranked
Click the ranking question, open Validation in the settings panel and switch on "Respondents must rank every option". Respondents cannot continue until all options are ranked.
Create a variable (count, sum, date)
In the builder menu (left sidebar or top tabs) click Logic, then Add variable at the top right. Enter a name without spaces (e.g. Q5_count) and choose what it should hold: Number of options selected in a question; Sum, Average, Lowest or Highest of numbers (tick the questions to include); Today's date; Years since a date; or Days between two dates. Keep "Save this value with each response" ticked to include it in exports, then click Save variable. Dates show and export as dd.mm.yyyy.
Create a hidden "dummy" value from earlier answers
Logic → Add variable → name it (e.g. utility) → choose "A value based on answers (if … then … otherwise)". IF: pick the question (e.g. BS3), keep "is", pick the answer (Al Ain); THEN: type the value (AADC). Otherwise: type the fallback (ADDC). Add more conditions with "Add another condition" and click Save variable. In Q5's text write "… TAQA Distribution and {utility}?". Respondents never see the variable itself.
Manage variables
Every variable is listed under Variables at the top of the Logic page. Click the pencil to edit, the bin to delete, or the {name} chip to copy it for pasting into question text. Variables also appear under "Calculated values" when you add a logic rule.
Pipe answers, Other text and dates
Click a question title and type another question's name in curly brackets, e.g. You said {Q1}. With the built-in Other option, {Q1} shows the typed text instead of the word Other and {Q1-Comment} shows only the typed text; an option with its own comment box pipes its typed text the same way. Piped dates read dd.mm.yyyy.
Copy choices from one or more questions
Click the question, open Choice Options, set "Copy choices from the following question" and "Which choice options to copy" (e.g. Selected). Use "Also copy choices from these questions" to merge a second question (options selected in Q1 OR Q2), and "Exclude these copied choices" to leave options out.
Show a random subset of questions
Put the questions in a Panel, click the panel border, open Conditions and set "Questions to display (0 = all)" (e.g. 5 of 10). Tick "Balanced selection" to show every question about equally. The export column {panel}_Shown lists what each respondent saw.
Bold, italic and underline
Click a question title or answer label and wrap words: **bold**, *italic*, __underline__ (or <b>, <i>, <u>). Example: How satisfied are you with **ADDC** __today__? The text shows formatted after you click outside it; results and exports show plain text.
Test like a respondent
After scripting, run Preview through each branch and compare the export columns with your data map before going live.
Screens / UI explanation
Question settings open in the panel on the right when you click a question; sections include General, Choice Options, Rows, Columns, Conditions and Validation.
The Logic page lists Variables at the top and logic rules below; Add variable and Add Rule sit at the top right.
The "Keep my questionnaire exactly as written" box appears under the attached file name in the AI composer.
Best practices
Name variables like data columns (Q5_count, utility) so exports stay readable.
Anchor Other, None and Don't know options whenever you randomize.
Preview every branch after adding variables or piping.
Tips
Use {Q1-Comment} when you only need the text typed in Other.
Use the Custom formula option for anything the recipes don't cover (sum, avg, count, iif, today, age, diffDays).
Check Scripting notes after a Word import to set up the logic the document describes.
Common issues
A piped variable shows nothing.
Check the name in braces matches the variable exactly and that the answers it depends on are filled in Preview.
An anchored option still moves.
Confirm "Choice order" is Random and the option's "Include in randomization" switch is off; built-in None/Other always stay last.
An imported survey has extra questions.
Re-import with "Keep my questionnaire exactly as written" ticked; if the file is a brief rather than a questionnaire, the AI designs a survey instead.
FAQ
Do variables appear in the Excel export?
Yes, when "Save this value with each response" is ticked. Dates export as dd.mm.yyyy.
Does the Sentink Field app support these features?
Yes. Randomization, anchored options, rank-all, variables, piping and text formatting run the same way in the mobile app.