TEXTAREA (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

The TEXTAREA variable is used for asking longer, open-ended text questions. Within the Free Format Variable dialog, specify a Free Format Variable with TEXTAREA as the Variable Type.

Within the HTML editing area, use a <TEXTAREA> 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 <TEXTAREA> tag (including case). If desired you can check the Require Response option and then specify the minimum number of characters you require the respondent to enter. SSI Web forces the respondent to enter at least the minimum and no more than the maximum number of characters before continuing to the next question.

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TEXTAREA Example

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

Free Format Question Name:

FF2

Variable Name:

FF2_WORKEXP

Variable Type:

TEXTAREA

Require Response:

(checked)

Error Message String:

Work Experience

Minimum Characters:

30

Example HTML Code:

Please tell us about your past work experience: <BR>
<TEXTAREA NAME="FF2_WORKEXP" ROWS="3" COLS="35">
</TEXTAREA>

(Regardless of the length permitted in the textarea box, responses are trimmed to a maximum of 10,000 characters to maintain data file integrity.)