SELECT (Combo Box) (Free Format Question Type)

Warning:
Because of the complexities of the Free Format Question type, you must completely test your survey to ensure that it functions properly and that the data for your entire survey are being saved correctly.

General Information about Free Format Questions

To display a combo box type input within your Free Format Question, you define a Free Format Variable with SELECT (Combo Box) as the Variable Type.

Within the HTML editing area, specify a <select> HTML tag in your HTML code. The easiest way to do this is by using the Free Format Tools button . When using the Free Format Tools button, SSI Web automatically provides default HTML with appropriate variable naming conventions.

The name of the Free Format Variable must be the same as the name attribute in your HTML code for the <select> tag (including case).

Checking Required Response requires a respondent to choose an option other than the first visible default option. Be sure to change the Default_option text between the <option> tags. Not checking the Required Response allows the respondent to skip this question.

The MULTIPLE (multiple input list box) attribute is not yet supported in SSI Web.

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SELECT (Combo Box) Example

(The following parameters represent a Free Format Question with one variable defined.)

Free Format Question Name:

FF1

Variable Name:

FF1_COLOR

Variable Type:

SELECT (Combo Box)

Error Message String:

Favorite Color

Reject Default Response:

(checked)

Example HTML Code:

Please select your favorite color: <BR>
<SELECT NAME="FF1_COLOR">
<OPTION SELECTED VALUE="">Choose One</OPTION>
<OPTION VALUE="1">Red</OPTION>
<OPTION VALUE="2">Green</OPTION>
<OPTION VALUE="3">Blue</OPTION>
</SELECT>

Note that we assigned numeric values to the response options. This permits you to tabulate responses within the Marginals program in the online administrative module. If "Require Response" is selected, SSI Web verification will not let the "Choose One" option to be selected.