Type 12: List Text — SmartSurvey Docs

Question Type

12 List Text Text *ALPHALIST

Captures multiple open-text responses in a numbered list format using *ALPHALIST. Each numbered slot is presented as a separate text entry field. Commonly used for unaided recall questions where the respondent lists reasons, brands, or items one by one. Use *MANDATORY on a response slot to force the respondent to fill in at least that entry before advancing.

Type ID 12

Directive *ALPHALIST

Category Text

Script Definition

script definition (.q)

-- Basic *ALPHALIST: respondent fills in multiple text responses in order.
-- Each numbered line is a separate text entry slot.
*QUESTION Q3 *ALPHALIST
Q3. Why did you change your main SIM operator GP to BL?
1:1st Response *MANDATORY
2:2nd Response
3:3rd Response

-- *MANDATORY on the first slot ensures at least one response is always captured.
-- The respondent cannot advance without filling in entry 1.
-- Slots 2 and 3 are optional — the respondent may leave them blank.

Use in Expressions

expressions

lengthof[Q3]>0     -- at least one text entry was provided
totalof[Q3]>=2     -- respondent filled in 2 or more slots
totalof[Q3]=3      -- all three slots were filled

*ALPHALIST presents each numbered option as an independent open-text entry field. Responses are stored separately per slot and can be retrieved individually.

Why *MANDATORY? Appending *MANDATORY to a response slot forces the respondent to fill in that specific entry before they can advance to the next question. It is typically applied to slot 1 (1st Response) to guarantee at least one answer is always captured. Slots without *MANDATORY are optional.

Use totalof[Q3] to count how many slots were filled. This is useful in come-logic to route based on how many reasons the respondent provided.

Only apply *MANDATORY to slots that must always be answered. Making all slots mandatory will prevent respondents who genuinely have fewer responses from completing the survey.