The following article covers general steps on how to create most survey elements in IntelliBuilder via the Element Editor.
New users should consider reviewing the Survey elements overview for IntelliBuilder article before continuing.
Creating a new element
The following steps can be used to create a new survey element via the Add Element menu. Survey Creators (SCs) should note that not all elements will require each of these steps below, as some elements, such as lists or text questions, may be much less complex than others.
Elements and features that do not adhere to the steps below, or require additional steps, are covered in Additional survey elements and features for IntelliBuilder (non-condition related topics) and Conditioned survey elements and features for IntelliBuilder (condition logic related topics).
Caution! Don't forget to periodically merge your newly added survey content! IntelliBuilder can save "drafts," but in order to ensure that all additions and changes are preserved, users should be sure to save that draft's version periodically by clicking Save New Version.
Step 1: Select an element type
To select an element to create, click the Add button, which automatically opens the Add Element menu after the last created question. This modal offers various categories from which to choose an element. Select the desired type to begin creating a new element.
Tip! Users should note that which elements are available will depend on whether you are in Basic, Advanced, or Expert Mode. In Expert Mode, users can also select SPL Input, which allows users to input source code directly in the modal to create a survey element, or even multiple elements at once. This option is especially helpful for allowing SCs to create survey element types that are not currently available in the Add Element menu or elements that require more complex coding.
For information on user modes, click here.
Step 2: Enter question text or element ID
Selecting a question type launches the Element Editor in which SCs will define the features of their new element. First, enter the question text for questions and tables, or the name/ID for lists, quotas, and groups. In the case of question text, simple formatting (bolding, underlining, italicizing) can be done with typical keyboard shortcuts such as Ctrl-B. In the case of lists, groups, and quotas, IDs should not include spaces or periods, and all caps is recommended. Underscores are also permitted - e.g., AGE_QUOTA.
If need be, users can alter the question ID (QID) at this step as well; otherwise the system will default to the next available numerical value, incrementing by 1. Note that if SCs use their own element IDs such as 'D1' or 'GENDER', the system will attempt to add the next available number for the element ID.
Tip! If the wrong element type has been chosen, users can always change the question type by clicking the Back button or by clicking the Element Selector pulldown menu. Note that switching element types will switch which types of properties and attributes are available. Depending on the type of elements you switch between, previously-defined items such as logic/conditions may be removed.
Tip! Elements do not need to be created in sequential order and can be drag and dropped in-between existing elements while the Element Editor is open. To move an element before saving it, click and hold the element's handle, then drag it to the desired location.
As new elements are automatically assigned the next available numerical ID, be sure to change the element ID if you are moving the element to another location.
Step 3: Enter options
Begin adding options on the option lines. To add multiple options, either press Enter or click the + icon to create the next option "line". Options are required for all element types except text-input questions and tables, or free standing text such as Piped Text or Display Text, and can be created either inline (within the survey element as shown below) or as setlists (external lists). If need be, users may click the Paste options from document button to copy and paste multiple list options into a modal/pop-up from a Word, Excel, or text (.txt) file.
Like question IDs, option IDs can be edited by clicking on the ID line and then inputting a new value. Often "Other" options and "Exclusive" options use higher numerical IDs such as '91', '97', or '99'.
Tables rows are created in the same manner as options and also allow users to paste in list elements from a Word, Excel, or text file.
Using external list (setlist) options
If a setlist is required instead of inline options, users can select Options From in the Properties menu. This will cause the Opts From Editor to appear, allowing users to choose from the following categories:
- Local Lists – This includes any lists that have been created in IntelliBuilder (or in the Edit applet). The Opts From Editor defaults to showing selections from here.
- Question Group – This includes a list of all previously created questions in the survey, allowing the user to pipe-in options from another question.
- Survey Sheets – This includes a list of all spreadsheets that have been uploaded locally to the survey. At this time, survey spreadsheets must be added by PMs.
- System Sheets – This includes a list of commonly used system spreadsheets available on the server your survey is being created on. This includes sheets related to ZIP Codes and geographical locations, panels, or creating numerical options (e.g., '0to10' or '1to7').
Tip! Need a numerical list of options for your question? The Series property can be used to add a numeric scale to a question. Once selected, simply specify the Left Bound (minimum value) and Right Bound (max value), and the system will create a full set of options from those values. Series can even be used to create alphabetical lists as well.
To use the full set of options included in the list, sheet, or question, click Apply With All Options. To choose a subset of those options, click Select Options. Choosing the latter will take you to a second page on the Opts From Editor where you may elect to include or exclude options from the list or sheet. SCs can even enter custom SPL if need be to specify which answers to include or exclude.
Once the desired subset of options has been specified, click Apply to continue.
After a selection has been made in the Opts From Editor, a new property will be added to the element with the text [SHOW OPTIONS FROM LISTNAME] . If you need to change which list you would like to reference, click the Change List icon () to the left of the Options From property. Note that multiple lists or sheets can be included by repeating this process as long as the option IDs do not overlap.
If a table requires a setlist or sheet reference for its rows, users may select the Rows From property to do so, and follow the steps described for Options From.
Tip! Elements may include both inline options and setlists/external lists if desired. Select the Options From (or Rows From) property to call in the external list or sheet options, then define any additional options to use locally under the Options (or Rows) section of the Add Element modal. Users should make sure the local/inline option or row-question IDs do not overlap with the IDs from the external lists.
Step 4: Add option attributes
Adding option attributes is not required, and in many cases, will not be needed. Multiple attributes can be added for an option, but attributes must be added one at a time. To add an option, click the down arrow to the far right of the option. This will bring up the Attribute menu. Which attributes are available will depend on the element type.
Tip! Both the Attributes menu and Properties menu are keyword searchable. Instead of clicking the down arrow to open these menus, users may begin typing in the field and will be shown a list of matching attributes or properties.
Attributes such as Explain and Condition will require additional information. Once these attributes are selected, a modal will appear allowing you to enter that information.
For a list of currently available attributes, see Survey elements overview for IntelliBuilder. For more information on adding condition logic, see Conditioned survey elements and features for IntelliBuilder.
Tip! The Anchor attribute works in concert with the Randomize Options property, and as such, it should only be applied to an option if Randomize Options has been added to the element.
Step 5: Add properties
Like attributes, adding properties to a survey element is not required. Properties are added to the element itself and dictate how it should function. Which properties are available in the Properties menu is dependent on the element type, and whether you are using Basic or Advanced Mode. Properties must be added one at a time, but each survey element can accept multiple properties as needed.
Many properties will require additional input to define the feature. If additional input is required, a modal will appear after selecting the property, allowing the user to input the required information. Click Apply once completed.
For a list of commonly used properties, click here.
Step 6: Complete your element
After all options, attributes, and properties have been added to the element, it is recommended you take a moment to review the content. Once complete, click either Apply to finish creating the element and exit out of the Element Editor, or Apply + Add New to continuing adding additional elements. Press Cancel to cancel the creation/addition of the element.
Tip! When using the Apply + Add New option, the "new" element will automatically be the same element type as the last created element. If another element type is needed, simply use the Element Selector menu to switch types.
Creating elements via copy
When creating questions with similar properties, instead of using the Add Element menu to create a new question, SCs may instead elect to copy an element, then edit the details after. To copy an element, click the Gear menu and select the Copy option. The copy will be added immediately after the element from which it was derived and will automatically be assigned the next available question ID.
Note: Elements that contain the Editable By property can only be copied (or edited) by SCs with the specified IB user mode. If set to Expert, then only Expert SCs can copy/edit the element; if set to Advanced, then both Advanced and Expert users can copy/edit the element.
After copying the element, click the Edit (pencil) button to alter the question ID, text, or other features. For information on editing elements, see Editing surveys with IntelliBuilder.
Using comments for assistance
IntelliBuilder is a new feature, and as such, there may be times when users cannot create the elements they would like with all of the features they require. This may be due to certain element types, properties, or attributes not yet being available, or due to the complexities that may exist in creating a compound condition. Or maybe you have tried to define something on your own, and you would prefer that an experienced SC/PM review what you have created. In any of these situations, it is recommended users leave a comment in the Comments section to the right of a survey element to request assistance.
Comments can be useful not just to ask for assistance, but to also have a stored log of discussions about edits and revisions, or to create action items. For information on using the comments feature, see Communicating through IntelliBuilder.
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