Use a Multiple Choice question when respondents need to choose from a predefined list of answers.
Depending on the question settings, you can allow respondents to select one option or multiple options, randomise the choices, add special options such as Other or N/A, and control how the choices are displayed.
If you have not created your survey yet, start by creating an online survey, then add and configure the question from your Porsline dashboard.
How to add a Multiple Choice question
Open the survey you want to edit and go to the Create phase.
Select Multiple Choice from the list of question types. Click it to add the question, or drag and drop it into the position you want.
How to enter the question label
Enter the question text in the Label field.
To insert an answer from a previous question or a Custom Variable, type @, then select the answer or Custom Variable you want to use.
For example, if the respondent answered “What is your name?” earlier in the survey, you can insert that answer into the current question to personalise the wording.
How to add a description
Enable Description when respondents need additional instructions before choosing an answer.
For example, you can explain whether they should select one choice or multiple choices, or provide criteria they should consider before answering.
You can also type @ in the Description field to insert an answer from a previous question or a Custom Variable.
How to use Ready-made choices
After entering the question, add the choices you want respondents to see.
You can enter your own choices or select a predefined set from Ready-made choices and edit it as needed.
Ready-made choices can only be selected before the question is saved.
How to add Other, N/A, and All options
You can add the following special options to a Multiple Choice question:
- Other option
- N/A option
- All options
When Other option is enabled, respondents see a text field where they can enter an answer that is not included in the predefined choices.
Use N/A option when none of the listed choices apply, and All options when respondents may need to select all available choices.
How to make the question required
Enable Required when respondents must answer the question before submitting the survey.
If a required question is left unanswered, the Review button appears at the end of the form. Respondents can use it to return to the unanswered required questions.
How to add an image or video
Enable Image or Video when the question needs supporting visual content.
Add an image
Select Image, click Choose, and select the file from your device.
The image must be in JPG, PNG, or GIF format and no larger than 2 MB.
Add a video
Select Video, then enter the video URL in the relevant field.
Use a link that meets the field requirements and is accessible to respondents.
How to adjust the image layout on mobile and desktop
After adding an image, you can adjust how it appears separately on mobile and desktop.
Select the device preview you want to edit, then adjust the image position and display settings.
How to add secondary labels to choices
Enable Add secondary label to choices when you need each answer choice to have a different label or code in exported results.
Secondary labels are not shown to respondents. They appear only in exported data, such as Excel files.
For example, respondents might see choices from Strongly agree to Strongly disagree, while the exported results use secondary labels from 1 to 5. These values can then be used for further analysis in tools such as Excel or SPSS.
How to randomize choices
Enable Choice Randomization when you want the answer choices to appear in a different order instead of always following the same sequence.
This can also be useful in quizzes or tests when you want participants to see answer choices in a different order.
How to display choices vertically
Choices are displayed horizontally by default.
Enable Vertical Display to show each choice on a separate line.
How to allow multiple selections
Enable Multiple Selection when respondents should be able to choose more than one answer.
You can then define the minimum and maximum number of choices they are allowed to select.
For a practical example that combines Multiple Choice with multiple selections, see How to define logic in Multiple Choice questions.
How to hide the question number
Enable Hide question number if you do not want the question number to appear to respondents.
How to view and export Multiple Choice responses
Go to Results, then open the Results Table.
The recorded answers appear in the column for the Multiple Choice question. Use Export to download the results in Excel or CSV format.
You can also open Charts to review the available visualisations for the question, along with the frequency and percentage for each choice.
When should you use a Multiple Choice question?
Use Multiple Choice when respondents need to choose from a predefined list of answers and you want the results to remain structured and easy to compare.
Use Multiple Selection when more than one answer may apply. If the list of options is very long and respondents only need to choose one answer, consider using a Dropdown question instead.
If you need help setting up a Multiple Choice question, contact us at [email protected].