Creating and applying survey templates (r9)

Survey templates are used to create new surveys with pre-existing resources and content. A survey template is similar to a survey, but is not intended to collect live data. Survey templates are an efficient way to create multiple surveys that have a similar structure and require similar resources.

Surveys created using a survey template will have the source code (SPL), sheets, and deliverables copied over from the template, among other things. A complete list of what is copied from a survey template can be found below.

Creating a survey template

To create a survey template, first create the survey that will serve as a template. Then, go to the Configuration applet for the survey, and check the Survey Template box under Advanced Options. Click Save to apply the changes.

This designates the survey as a template. In the Survey Navigator, a Template icon is displayed next to the Survey ID for any surveys that can be used as templates. Any pinned/favorited survey tiles that are templates will also display this icon.

Highlighting content with the <mark></mark> tags

In the template's SPL, any text wrapped in the HTML tags <mark></mark> will highlight that text in IntelliBuilder. Use these to indicate which portions of the template need to be replaced with content specific to the new survey.

SPL	IntelliBuilder
1. <mark>Question 1</mark> type: radio scale: y 1. Very unsatisfied 2. Unsatisfied 3. Neutral 4. Satisfied 5. Very satisfied

Adding instructions with the internal memo widget

Use the internal memo widget in SPL to add comments to IntelliBuilder for instructions on using the template. These comments will not be shown in the live survey.

The internal memo widget must be a standalone widget, not attached to another question in the SPL. You'll need to define a memo ID and insert the memo's contents in a text tag on a separate line. The text tag supports the use of heredoc.

Syntax

internal memo: MEMO_ID
text: Memo contents here

Example

SPL	IntelliBuilder
internal memo: PRODUCT text: Replace [PRODUCT] with the product for the current project.

Further template considerations

When creating a survey from a template, the latest published version of the template is always used. Surveys created from a template are not "linked" to the original template, so if the template is edited after a survey has been created, the survey will not be updated to match.

Survey templates can be updated just like any survey, however in order to make those changes part of the template going forward, you must parse and publish the survey again. For example, if you add a translation to your template, it's not enough just to publish that translation; you must parse and publish the whole survey so that the translation will become a part of the template.

Using a survey template

New surveys can be created from a template in the Survey Navigator. There are two ways to use a template: the  Create from Template button and the Use Template option in the  Actions menu for the desired template.

Via Create from Template button

To create a new survey using a template, click the  Create from Template button next to the New Survey button.

In the modal that appears, select the desired template from the dropdown menu, and enter a Survey ID and description for the new survey. Then, click the Create button to create the new survey. Once the software finishes building the survey, you'll be taken to the IntelliBuilder editor for the new survey.

Via Use Template

Alternatively, you can click the  Actions menu for the desired template in the Survey Navigator and select Use Template.

Enter a Survey ID and Description for the new survey. Then, click the Create button to create the new survey. Once the software finishes building the survey, you'll be taken to the IntelliBuilder editor for the new survey.

Resources copied from survey templates

When a survey is created using a template, the following resources are copied from the template:

Items that are not copied from the template include the following:

• survey responses/record data
• survey users and user access to deliverables
• IntelliBuilder comments
• panels
• weights
• quota caps
• contact lists and batches.