Definition

EndDefinition

• Questions are created in a reference table shared by all standard and multi-section questionnaires.
  • Each question is formatted depending on its type (e.g. checkbox, list, etc.) in order to make it easier for users to answer.  See Types of questions. 
  • They may propose default answers based on static content, such as a list of static values, or dynamic content, such as a list of values returned by an SQL query run when the question is displayed.

• They can be customized depending on the questionnaire's context of use, i.e. its display conditions, data entry constraints and display order. You can define the properties using the Manage Questions wizard in each questionnaire.

Example

You can format a question depending on its type.

Notes

• The types of questions are defined by EasyVista. You cannot add to them.
• When users open a questionnaire again and if a given question was already asked in one of the workflow steps, the last answer to this question will be displayed instead of the default answer.

Caution

• If you modify a question, the modification is immediately propagated to all questionnaires where the question is included.
• If the description of the question is not translated, you should restrict the number of characters to 253 so that the square brackets [ ] added by the system to non-translated strings will not generate an error when you save.
• When you create default values for Radio Button, Grid or List types of questions, you must ensure that you enter them in the order in which you want them to appear. This is because you cannot modify the order of the values subsequently.

Best Practice

         See also Best practice - Questionnaires.

• If several questions have the same description, you should specify the code of each question so that users can identify them easily.

• You can apply a color gradient to the satisfaction rating scale in a satisfaction survey by setting the fields Gradient start color and Gradient end color.  See the procedure.
           

Menu access

• References > Other References > Questionnaires: Questions

• In a questionnaire: Manage Questions wizard > Create a New Question

Screen description

Code: Question ID.

Description: Description of the question. HTML tags can be used.

Type: Type of question, used to adapt the answer field based on the question asked. A list of fields contextual to the type of question will be displayed.

• Content: When the type of question gives users a choice of answers, this indicates the origin of the values displayed.
  • Static option: Values are specified in the question and cannot vary, i.e. static values.
  • Dynamic (SQL) option: Values are retrieved from the Service Manager database using an SQL query run when the question is displayed.
     

• Default Value: Default answer to the question, can be modified by users.
  • When a default value is proposed, it can be one of the values proposed to users (Selected from the list option) or a value retrieved from the Service Manager database when the question is displayed (Look up SQL option).

• Value: Value used to preload the answer, can be modified by users.

  example  

• Index / Description table: List of values proposed as answers to the question.
  • Add one row for each possible answer.
  • Caution: You must ensure that you enter the rows in the order in which you want the values to appear in the questionnaire. This is because you cannot modify them subsequently.
     

• Number of Elements in a Row: When the type of question gives users a choice of answers, this indicates the number of values to be displayed in a given row.

  example 2 elements per row  

• Display Item Label: Used to indicate if the label is displayed after each choice of answer (True) or if no label is displayed (False).
   

Types of questions

Type of question	Display		Notes
Radio Button	The question is followed by one radio button for each possible answer.		Radio button labels can be static or dynamic, i.e. the result of an SQL query run when the question is displayed. One of the radio buttons can be selected by default. The choice can be static, i.e. default value = Selected from the list. In this case, select the radio button you want in the Default Value column. The choice can also be dynamic, i.e. default value = Look Up SQL. In this case, use the wizard to enter the SQL query to be run when the question is displayed. If there is no default value, no radio button will be selected.
	Combine this type of question with a Table Header question to create a satisfaction survey.  See the procedure.
Checkbox	A checkbox will be placed next to the question.		One of the checkboxes can be selected by default. The choice can be static, e.g. the checkbox is selected if the value = True or the checkbox is not selected if the value is False. The choice can also be dynamic, i.e. the result of an SQL query run when the question is displayed.
Comment	The question is completed by a non-modifiable field.		The length of the field will be equal to the length of the question.
Date	The question is followed by a Date field and the icon.		The field can be initialized by a static value or by a dynamic value, i.e. the result of an SQL query run when the question is displayed.
	If you want to display the current date in the Date field, you should create a now dynamic value and use the getUTCdate() function in the SELECT instruction. now = SELECT getUTCdate() FROM SD_REQUEST
Date and Time	The question is followed by a Date field, the icon and a Time field.		The field can be initialized by a static value or by a dynamic value, i.e. the result of an SQL query run when the question is displayed. Users are not required to enter the time.
	If you want to display the current date in the Date field, you should create a now dynamic value and use the getUTCdate() function in the SELECT instruction. SELECT getUTCdate() FROM SD_REQUEST
Decimal	The question is followed by a numeric field with decimal places.		The field can be initialized by a static value or by a dynamic value, i.e. the result of an SQL query run when the question is displayed.
Duration	The question is followed by a field for entering the time in hh:mm format.		The field can be initialized by a static value or by a dynamic value, i.e. the result of an SQL query run when the question is displayed.
Table Header	The question presents a table with column headers.		Add one row for each column header.
	Combine this type of question with a Radio Button question to create a satisfaction survey.  See the procedure.
Grid	The question is followed by a list that displays possible answers preceded by checkboxes.		Checkbox labels can be static or dynamic, i.e. the result of an SQL query run when the question is displayed. The grid will occupy the entire width of the questionnaire.
List	the question is followed by a drop-down list displaying possible answers.		The values in the list are static. An empty row is automatically added to the top of the list to enable users not to make any selection.
	To display a list containing values retrieved from the Service Manager database, you should use the SQL List question (only one possible answer), or the Grid question with dynamic content (several possible answers).
SQL List	The question is followed by a field.		Enter the SQL query using the data entry wizard. The icon opens a list containing the possible answers. Values are retrieved from the Service Manager database using an SQL query run when the question is displayed. Each answer can display several items of information.
	Click to see a query example.
Memo	The question is followed by a user-defined field whose size is variable.		The field can be preloaded by a static value or by a dynamic value, i.e. the result of an SQL query run when the question is displayed.
Integer	The question is followed by a numeric field for integers.		The field can be preloaded by a static value or by a dynamic value, i.e. the result of an SQL query run when the question is displayed.
Signature	The question is followed by a field where a signature can be inserted using a stylus pen or the mouse.		By default, this type of question is displayed alone in its row. The signature is saved in a .png file whose name is identical to the description of the question. The file is added as an attachment to the Service Manager object in which users accessed the questionnaire. You can click the Attachments link or select the Attachments tab to view it.
System	This type of question provided by Service Manager during setup enables you to define the graphic layout of the questionnaire. example   Horizontal line separator		You cannot add others.
	The System type of question is not available in the drop-down list. To display a horizontal line in a questionnaire, display the list of questions, sort them using the Type column and select Horizontal line separator.
File Upload	The question is followed by the icon used to select a file, e.g. image, XLS file, etc.		The file is added as an attachment to the Service Manager object in which users accessed the questionnaire.
Text	The question is followed by a user-defined field of limited size.
	To display a field whose size is variable, you should use a Memo question.
URL	The question enables you to access the URL when you move the cursor over the description.		You should enter the full URL.
	To help users recognize a clickable link, you should surround the URL using underline tags <u> </u>.

Procedures

How to create a question

1. Select References > Other References > Questionnaires: Questions in the menu.

2. Click + New.

3. Specify the information on the new question.

Note: The fields displayed are specific to the type of question.  See the description.

4. Click Save.

The new question will be available for all questionnaires regardless of the menu in which it was created.

How to create a satisfaction survey

     See also Best practice - Questionnaires.

Step 1: Create the possible answers in the survey via the header of the questionnaire (1)

1. Create a Table Header question.

2. Enter the label of the first column header to specify the first possible.

3. Repeat the procedure to create one row for each column header in the table answer that correspond to the other possible answers.
         
 

Step 2: Create the questions in the survey (2)

1. Create a Radio Button question.

2. Specify the number of columns in the table via the Number of Elements in a Row field.

3. Select False in the Display Item Labels option.

The radio buttons will be displayed in the table without any labels.

4. Create the possible answers to the question.

• Click  in the Index / Description table.
• Specify the label of the question.
           

5. Repeat the procedure to create the other questions in the survey.

How to create a questionnaire

      Create a standard questionnaire

      Create a multi-section questionnaire

Use case: How to create a questionnaire for an insurance company

This use case shows how all types of questions can be implemented using a questionnaire designed for the customers of an insurance company.

      See the description.