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You might want to ask different options about one item. For example the rating of a characteristic and its importance. This is how to implement this.
Example 1
Example 2
Combined questions are a combination of different single questions from the “list of questions”. The title and the description as well as the item texts originate from the first question. So does the leftmost input option. However, the items of the first question were compressed a little so there was more space for further input options. Those originate from other questions.
The instruction focusses at first on example one (two questions), then on example two (three questions)
Attention: Not all question types are suitable for combined questions. For example, a dropdown selection does not use an own line for all options (which corresponds to an item). Thus this type cannot be combined with other questions. To combine those see (Placing input fields anywhere).
question()
to show question one. You may also drag and drop the question into the PHP-code-field.question('AB01','combine=AB02'); // Combines AB01 with AB02
Hint: When combined with another question, regardless of their ID, the items of question 2 will use the same position (not IDs!) as the items of question one. For example, if the items of question one have the IDs 3, 4 and 5 but the position 1, 2 and 4, question two will ask for the items with the position 1, 2 and 4, regardless of their ID.
It might happen, that the item AB01_03 corresponds to the item AB02_01, because the position of the items were changed. Consider this when evaluating the results. You can avoid confusion if you don't change any item position after duplicating the question. If needed anyways, you can change the item order of the output by using the function question()
.
Hint: Randomizing the item order is no problem. Be aware, the setting of question one is the only one regarded, while the other questions follow the first so there are no inconsistencies.
Hint: Questions kan be dragged-and-dropped into the questionnaire-page or be included by using PHP. If you do both on one page, the question will be shown twice and you will get the respective error messages.
To combine more than two questions, follow the steps above. At step nine, use the option combine several times for every question to be added. The labels above the columns (in example two: “I use this regularly”) are entered as Text on top of the options in the “Edit question” page.
PHP-Code
question( 'T201', 'combine=T202','combine=T203', );
To have sufficient space for the labels, you may need to adjust the widths of the colums. Enter a value (in this example 150 pixels) at Width of input column under the Alignment of input boxes tab and set the Alignment of the input fields to “center”.
By default, the input fields of the questions have a gap of 16 pixels. By using the option gap you may adjust this behavior. The setting applies to the whole combined question. Different spaces between individual question parts are not possible at present.
The labels of the questions other than the first are not displayed by default. If you want to display the item texts, add the option combine_items.
Hint: If a multiple choice or selection question are set to show the labels on the right (“Position of the input fields - left hand”), they are always displayed, regardless of the option at combine_items.
PHP-Code
// No spce between input fields question('AB01','combine=AB02','gap=none'); question('AB01','combine=AB02','gap=0'); // Line between input fields question('AB01','combine=AB02','gap=line'); // Space of 20 pixels beween input fields // and item labels for the second (!) question only question( 'AB01','gap=20','combine_items=no' 'combine=AB02', 'combine_items=yes' );