Editing surveys with IntelliBuilder (r9)

Efficiently editing survey elements is critical for a seamless survey design process. This article guides users through four distinct methods of editing, each tailored to different editing needs and user expertise levels. From simple text edits directly in Builder or Preview modes to more complex edits using the Element Editor, and the Expert-exclusive Source view for SPL edits, users can choose the method that best suits their needs. Whether making straightforward changes or engaging in advanced editing and collaboration with expert survey programmers, this guide will help you have a smooth editing experience within the IntelliBuilder (IB) editor.

Editing survey elements

Users can edit survey elements in four different ways, depending on the complexity of editing required and which user modes are available to them. Each of these methods will be covered below.

If at any time edits are required for a particular survey element and you are unable to make them yourself, then leave a comment on the element for other collaborators to see.

Simple text edits

Simple text edits to a survey element can be accomplished while the survey is in either Builder or Preview viewing modes without the use of the Element Editor. These are often referred to as "inline edits" or "word edits." Any text that is editable will be highlighted when hovered over. 

Builder view

Preview view

Click on the highlighted text, then edit as needed. To apply the changes, click anywhere outside the highlighted area, or press Enter. All text edits executed this way will be flagged as "inline edited" in the Session Activity pane.

Survey element edits

If changes beyond simple text edits are needed, such as modifying the question type, properties, attributes, and question or option IDs, users should utilize the Element Editor. The Element Editor is accessed by clicking the pencil icon, found next to the Gear menu.

The Element Editor functions similarly whether creating a new element or editing an existing one, allowing users to add, remove, or alter any components of the survey element. Text edits can also be made here, and while in the editor, users can also use simple formatting keyboard shortcuts to bold (Ctrl-B), underline (Ctrl-U), or italicize (Ctrl-I) as needed.

Users should note that altering a question type, for example changing a single select table to a single select question, may result in the removal of certain properties and attributes.

The Apply button will become active once any changes have been made. After reviewing the edits, click Save Version to commit all changes to the current version of the survey. Changes made from the Element Editor will be listed as "updated" in the Session Activity pane.

SPL edits

Expert users may edit the SPL for individual elements by switching them to Source view, either via an element's Gear menu or the source icon in the main IB toolbar. 

Source view via Gear menu

Source view via main toolbar

Once in Source view, the element's code will turn yellow when clicked, and any of the SPL displayed can be edited. Similar to simple text editing, users should click outside of the element once finished. Then, click Save Version to make sure the changes are saved.

Complex edits via Survey Editor

Expert users also have the ability to directly edit a survey's source code in the survey editor by toggling from IntelliBuilder mode to SPL mode, found in the top left of the main toolbar. Click the dropdown to switch modes.

After choosing to switch editor modes, any unmerged changes will be saved as a draft when switching edit modes.

In both IB editing mode and SPL editing mode, any survey elements being edited by another user will be flagged. In IB mode, you will see a lock icon with the user's initials.

In SPL mode, you will see a comment bubble showing the users name and where they are currently editing.

If any edits made from multiple users conflicts, they will receive a message asking the user to resolve the conflicting changes before continuing. For more information on working simultaneously as a team, read Collaborative editing.

Using comments for editing assistance 

At times, the required revisions may be either too complex to accomplish in IB or might just be outside a user's comfort level. Maybe a user has made changes to a survey element, and they just want someone more experienced to verify the edits are correct. In these situations, comments can be extremely useful.

Comments can be used not just to ask for assistance, but to also have a stored log of discussions about edits and revisions. You can even at-mention specific users for assistance if need be. For more information on using the comments feature, see Communicating with IntelliBuilder.

Rearranging survey elements

Survey elements do not need to be added to the survey in the order they will be displayed. They can be rearranged as needed, either by dragging and dropping the element into a new location via the element's "handle" icon, or via the Move option under the element's Gear menu.

It's important to note that moving a question to a new location in the survey does not change the element ID; for instance Q1 will always be Q1. Users will need to manually edit any question IDs themselves via the Element Editor, and carefully update any conditional logic referencing the question ID.

Via drag and drop 

To move an element via drag and drop, click on the element's "handle" located in the top left of the survey element's toolbar. When you click on this dotted symbol and hold, the cursor will become a small hand icon. Once "gripped," drag the element up or down the screen to the desired location and drop it in that spot by releasing.

Once an element has been moved to a new location, both that element and the one immediately following it in the new order will be considered "edited." Remember to click Save Version to make this change permanent.

Via move action

The second method for moving an element to a new location in the survey is by selecting Move from the Gear menu.

The Move widget modal will appear, allowing the user to specify where they want the element to be moved. First, specify the Question Target from the dropdown menu. This is similar to telling the software to look for an existing question that will serve as a reference point. Then, use the Move Widget dropdown to indicate whether the question being moved should be positioned before or after the target question. Press Save when complete, and the element will be moved to the new location.

Next steps

Just as there are many ways to edit a survey, there are many ways to continue to learn. Read the articles below to expand your knowledge and experience with our software.

• Properties and attributes — To learn more about the available properties and attributes used with survey elements, read Common properties for IntelliBuilder and Attributes for IntelliBuilder.
• Additional elements and features — There are many IntelliBuilder features that require more explanation and example usage. To review the element types, properties, and/or attributes that are not explained in the Survey elements overview article, please read Additional survey elements and features for IntelliBuilder. 
• Conditions — If you want to dig a little deeper into adding a condition to your survey element or attribute, you can review Conditioned survey elements and features for IntelliBuilder.
• Collaborative editing — IntelliSurvey supports multiple users editing a survey simultaneously and in either editing mode (SPL or IntelliBuilder). The Collaborative editing article details the three ways to collaborate when editing a survey.
• Edit applet — If you want to familiarize yourself with the survey editor (SPL mode), read Creating and editing survey content with SPL.