How to Create a Short Answer Question in Zoho Survey | Online Help Guide

Short Answer

The Short Answer question type allows your respondents to type in a short text or a combination of text and numbers. You can set the character limit and the textbox size while crafting the question. The maximum response size is limited to 255 characters, which can be changed to any number less than 255. The maximum size you can set for the textbox is 40 characters. 
For example, a simple question as to what your customers think about a "good coffee" wouldn't need lengthy write-ups. It could be an emotion or a memory that they could explain in a word or two. A short answer question best serves the purpose.

Short answer question sample:


To add a short answer question to your survey:

  1. Click Short Answer in the question types listed on the left pane. You can also drag and drop the question type to the builder. Also, you can change the question type by clicking the dropdown next to the question type in the question editor. However, the choices for change are related to the question type you have selected. For example, if you selected the short answer question type, you can only change it to its variants available in the list. You can select an option from the dropdown. 

  2. In the Question box, type your question. 
    1. If you want to mark the question mandatory, select the Make this question mandatory checkbox.
    2. If you want to make changes to the default Error message text that displays, edit the content in the textbox.
    3. If you want to pipe in custom variables or variables from previous questions and customize the follow-up questions, click Insert Variable right above the Question box, and select the variable you want to use from the list. Read more on Piping.
  3. To learn what else you can do with the question, click Advanced options. You can perform the following actions:
    1. In the Textbox size dropdown list, select the size of the textbox you want to use.
    2. Select Validation if you would like to validate your responses using a predefined or custom regular expression that matches the answer.

      1. Select a validation type from the list of options available in the Validate dropdown list. Depending on the validation type you select, a predefined regular expression will be displayed in the RegEx field.
      2. Click the Condition dropdown list to select Matches or Contains.
      3. If you select Length, you'll need to enter the minimum and maximum character limits in theText must be between fields respectively.
      4. If you select Custom, you'll need to enter a custom regular expression to match the answer.
      5. You can edit the default error message in the Error message field, or use the text displayed.
    3. The autofill or prepopulate answer feature allows you to prepopulate single-variable survey responses automatically before sending them to respondents. To prepopulate answers for a known respondent, select Prepopulate answer. 
    4. Question hint is used to add hints to your question and help your respondents get a clear idea of what your questions are all about. This feature is optional and is available only for certain types of questions. 
      Add survey question hint
    5. Select Mark as Health Information (ePHI) in the Data Privacy section to safeguard the health information data in the healthcare surveys category. The Encrypt answer field also gets selected, by default.
    6. Select Encrypt answer to add an additional layer of security to the responses for this particular question.
  4. Switch to the Display Logic tab to add a logic condition to the question.
  5. Click Save.
  6. To discard the changes, click Cancel.


        Create. Review. Publish.

        Write, edit, collaborate on, and publish documents to different content management platforms.

        Get Started Now


          Access your files securely from anywhere

            Zoho CRM Training Programs

            Learn how to use the best tools for sales force automation and better customer engagement from Zoho's implementation specialists.

            Zoho CRM Training
              Redefine the way you work
              with Zoho Workplace

                Zoho DataPrep Personalized Demo

                If you'd like a personalized walk-through of our data preparation tool, please request a demo and we'll be happy to show you how to get the best out of Zoho DataPrep.

                Zoho CRM Training

                  Create, share, and deliver

                  beautiful slides from anywhere.

                  Get Started Now


                    Zoho Sign now offers specialized one-on-one training for both administrators and developers.

                    BOOK A SESSION







                                Quick LinksWorkflow AutomationData Collection
                                Web FormsEnterpriseOnline Data Collection Tool
                                Embeddable FormsBankingBegin Data Collection
                                Interactive FormsWorkplaceData Collection App
                                CRM FormsCustomer ServiceAccessible Forms
                                Digital FormsMarketingForms for Small Business
                                HTML FormsEducationForms for Enterprise
                                Contact FormsE-commerceForms for any business
                                Lead Generation FormsHealthcareForms for Startups
                                Wordpress FormsCustomer onboardingForms for Small Business
                                No Code FormsConstructionRSVP tool for holidays
                                Free FormsTravelFeatures for Order Forms
                                Prefill FormsNon-Profit

                                Intake FormsLegal
                                Mobile App
                                Form DesignerHR
                                Mobile Forms
                                Card FormsFoodOffline Forms
                                Assign FormsPhotographyMobile Forms Features
                                Translate FormsReal EstateKiosk in Mobile Forms
                                Electronic Forms
                                Drag & drop form builder

                                Notification Emails for FormsAlternativesSecurity & Compliance
                                Holiday FormsGoogle Forms alternative GDPR
                                Form to PDFJotform alternativeHIPAA Forms
                                Email FormsFormstack alternativeEncrypted Forms

                                Wufoo alternativeSecure Forms

                                TypeformWCAG

                                  Zoho FSM Video Tutorials


                                        All-in-one knowledge management and training platform for your employees and customers.

                                                  Create. Review. Publish.

                                                  Write, edit, collaborate on, and publish documents to different content management platforms.

                                                  Get Started Now




                                                                    You are currently viewing the help pages of Qntrl’s earlier version. Click here to view our latest version—Qntrl 3.0's help articles.




                                                                        Manage your brands on social media


                                                                          • Desk Community Learning Series


                                                                          • Digest


                                                                          • Functions


                                                                          • Meetups


                                                                          • Kbase


                                                                          • Resources


                                                                          • Glossary


                                                                          • Desk Marketplace


                                                                          • MVP Corner


                                                                          • Word of the Day


                                                                          • Ask the Experts


                                                                            Zoho Sheet Resources

                                                                             

                                                                                Zoho Forms Resources


                                                                                  Secure your business
                                                                                  communication with Zoho Mail


                                                                                  Mail on the move with
                                                                                  Zoho Mail mobile application

                                                                                    Stay on top of your schedule
                                                                                    at all times


                                                                                    Carry your calendar with you
                                                                                    Anytime, anywhere




                                                                                          Zoho Sign Resources

                                                                                            Sign, Paperless!

                                                                                            Sign and send business documents on the go!

                                                                                            Get Started Now




                                                                                                    Zoho TeamInbox Resources





                                                                                                              Zoho DataPrep Demo

                                                                                                              Get a personalized demo or POC

                                                                                                              REGISTER NOW


                                                                                                                Design. Discuss. Deliver.

                                                                                                                Create visually engaging stories with Zoho Show.

                                                                                                                Get Started Now








                                                                                                                                    • Related Articles

                                                                                                                                    • Long Answer

                                                                                                                                      The Long Answer question type allows your respondents to write long, open-ended answers in a textbox. You can set the character limit and the textbox size in the advanced options section. The maximum response size is limited to 5000 characters, which ...
                                                                                                                                    • Is it possible to add a tabular open-ended question in my survey?

                                                                                                                                      Sorry, we do not currently support adding tabular open-ended questions in Zoho Survey. However, as a workaround, you can try using the Text Field (Heading/Description) question type for the questions and Short Answer/Long Answer question types for ...
                                                                                                                                    • Dropdown (One Answer/Many Answers)

                                                                                                                                      The Dropdown (One Answer) question type allows the respondent to select only one answer from a list of choices provided by you in the dropdown. For example, assume that you're planning to rebrand your cafe and want to conduct a survey to understand ...
                                                                                                                                    • Multiple Choice (One Answer/Many Answers)

                                                                                                                                      The Multiple Choice (One Answer) question type helps respondents choose one answer from a list of choices that you define. Added to this, you can include an 'Other' choice field to prompt the survey respondents to type in their own answers if the ...
                                                                                                                                    • Is it possible to use question logic in a Multiple Choice question that also has ‘Other (please specify)’ as an option?

                                                                                                                                      Sorry, it's not possible to add the 'Other (please specify)' option in the question logic as it's not a pre-defined choice for multiple-choice questions. However, as a workaround, we suggest you enter 'Other' as a choice in the question and add ...
                                                                                                                                      Wherever you are is as good as
                                                                                                                                      your workplace

                                                                                                                                        Resources

                                                                                                                                        Videos

                                                                                                                                        Watch comprehensive videos on features and other important topics that will help you master Zoho CRM.



                                                                                                                                        eBooks

                                                                                                                                        Download free eBooks and access a range of topics to get deeper insight on successfully using Zoho CRM.



                                                                                                                                        Webinars

                                                                                                                                        Sign up for our webinars and learn the Zoho CRM basics, from customization to sales force automation and more.



                                                                                                                                        CRM Tips

                                                                                                                                        Make the most of Zoho CRM with these useful tips.



                                                                                                                                          Zoho Show Resources