ifblank

The ifblank tag is used to populate a numeric value for questions that are left blank. This tag works on open-ended text questions within a table where there are multiple questions. Values are auto-populated and stored in the database when a response is not entered. The value is set in the data once the question validates successfully.

This data cleaning tag is important for more advanced reporting functionality like averages, and situations where a blank is not the same as a 0 (zero). The ifblank tag is most useful for a table that sums up to 100%; any spaces that are not filled are implicitly considered to be '0' (zero) for the calculation.

Syntax

You can use the ifblank tag in a question, in a set defaults definition, in a class, or on a table.

ifblank: value

Examples

100% table

In the example below, the ifblank tag is used in conjunction with the showcolumntotal tags to assist in the creation of a table that requires the total to sum to 100%. The respondent is required to enter numbers in the rows until the total reaches 100, then any row that is left blank will be set to '0' in the data.

See demo See code Restart demo

Reducing respondent fatigue

In this example, the brand list is relatively long, and it asks for a numeric input for each brand, which is more work for the respondent than clicking or tapping buttons. The ifblank tag is added so that respondents only need to answer for the brands they have consumed, as it is safe to assume that a blank response is the same as '0'.

See demo See code Restart demo