Creating standalone lists (set lists)

Set lists are lists of options (choices) that are defined independently and can be carried forward and referenced throughout the survey. To define a set list, use the set list widget.

set list: CAR_TYPES
randomize: y
1. Sedan
2. Pick-up
3. Minivan
4. SUV
5. Compact SUV
6. Coupe
7. Station wagon
97. Other {autoother: y}{placeholder: Specify}

Each list option should have a unique numeric ID followed by a period and a space, then option text.

Details

• Set list names (IDs) should be in all caps. Spaces are not allowed, but you can include underscores. Make sure that all set lists in a survey have unique names.
• To reference a set list in a question or variable, include a list call tag such as optsfrom, rowsfrom, or colsfrom.
• Set lists can be located before or after the questions and variables they are referenced in.
• Lists can also be built from other lists, or combinations of local options and other lists. Make sure that all option IDs are unique when combining multiple lists.
• Element decorators and option data decorators can be included after individual list options to provide additional information.
• Order tags such as order, randomize: y, or alphabetize: y can be included with set lists.

Combining lists

There are multiple ways to combine list options from multiple lists. Two of the more common methods are shown below.

Creating a set list from another set list

Sometimes when a list is reused, another order is required on a follow-up question. In these situations, you can define a list based off the previous list's options and include an order tag on the new list.

set list: CITIES
randomize: y
1. New York City
2. Chicago
3. Boston
4. Los Angeles
5. Denver

set list: CITIES_ALPHA
alphabetize: y
optsfrom: CITIES

Combining local option choices with another list

Multiple collections of options can be combined into a single list as long as the option IDs are unique (no overlap). In the following example, the CARS options are combined with locally defined options in the CARS2 list. Since the options from CARS are listed first, they will be displayed before the local options.

set list: CARS
1. Ford
2. Chevrolet
3. GMC
4. Jeep

set list: CARS2
optsfrom: CARS
10. Toyota
11. Kia
12. Mercedes
97. Other {autoother: y}{placeholder: Specify}