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Matrix Table Question

Suite

Customer Experience Employee Experience Strategy & Research

Product

Qualtrics

What's on this page

About Matrix Table Questions

Matrix table questions allow you to combine multiple questions that have the same answer choices. This is most useful when you need to ask multiple questions that should be rated on the same scale.

There are several variations on the matrix table question. Each variation has unique options and a unique format.

Statements vs. Scale Points

Statements are the rows of the matrix table. These are the items you’d like a respondent to rate.

the statements go along the side of a matrix table

Scale points are the columns of the matrix table. These are the ratings you want respondents to choose for each statement.

the scale points run along the top of a matrix question

When you set your matrix table to single answer, you can choose 1 scale point for every statement. This is the same even if the table is transposed so that statements become columns and scale points become rows.

Adding and Removing Statements and Scale Points

Use the plus (+) and minus (–) buttons under Statements and Scale points to adjust the number of statements and scale points.

the number of statements and number of scale points fields in the survey builder

You can also click directly on the name of a statement or scale point and press Enter for each option you want to add, or use Edit multiple to change the text. See adding and editing questions for more information.

Qtip: When adding statements or scale points, you have the option to select from suggested choices. This can be a quick way to add common choices, such as an “agree to disagree” scale, in a single click.

Qtip: You can adjust the width of the column containing your statements by clicking and dragging the vertical line to the left of your statements.

Qtip: You can only add up to 100 statements in a single matrix table question.

Variations

To access matrix table variations, use the Matrix type drop-down menu. Note that each variation will bring up a different set of question editing options.

the matrix type dropdown menu on the left side of the survey builder

Qtip: Some matrix variations are unsupported in the new survey taking experience. If you’d like to use a variation but find it unavailable, then you must revert your survey to the legacy experience.

Likert

The Likert variation displays a list of statements (rows) and scale points (columns) in a table format. You can determine how respondents answer the question using the Answer type dropdown:

Allow one answer: The respondent can select 1 scale point per statement.
Allow multiple answers: The respondent can select multiple scale points per statement.
Dropdown list: The respondent selects 1 scale point per statement using a drop-down menu.
Drag and drop: The respondent selects 1 scale point per statement by dragging and dropping scale points into statement buckets.

Bipolar

The Bipolar variation displays 2 extremes of a scale. Respondents select a point between the 2 extremes.

Rank Order

The Rank order variation allows respondents to rank a set of scale points by typing in a number for each scale point.

You can include multiple statements and allow the respondent to rank the scale points for several different topics (e.g., “Please rank the following topics from 1–5 for each of the following restaurants”).

Constant Sum

The Constant sum variation allows respondents to allocate resources among the items in each row. As the respondent provides answers, the total resources can be displayed to the respondent.

Constant sum matrix tables have the following unique options to help you customize the survey taking experience:

the unique options for a constant sum matrix table in the survey builder

Add total box: Adds a total box that sums the entered values. You can position the box on either the statements or scale points.

Add symbol: Adds a symbol before or after each box. This is useful for adding currency symbols.

Add range requirement: Allows you to specify a minimum and maximum value for every box.

Qtip: In the above example, you’ll notice you can also position where you want the total box to appear on the matrix. Here, the totals show up along the bottom, adding up the values in the columns (scale points).

Text Entry

With the Text entry variation, each row contains a set of text entry boxes. This variation looks and acts similar to the text entry – form question type. You can specify the size of the text boxes (short, medium, long) using the Text box Size option.

You can use the Add validation options to specify what type of content the boxes will allow. You can restrict character ranges, maximum and minimum character length, and custom validation.

the add validation dropdown for limiting the length of the text entry

Profile

The Profile variation allows you to label every single scale point within the matrix table separately so each row can have its own scale points. To enable the profile variation, select the likert matrix table and change the format to profile.

Question options can be single answer, multiple answer, or a dropdown list.

MaxDiff

MaxDiff is a specialized variation of the matrix table that allows respondents to choose 1 option in each of 2 categories.

Qtip: Interested in running a MaxDiff project? Check out our support pages on the MaxDiff XM Solution.

Qtip: If you need to add more than 1 scale to the same set of statements, try using a side by side question instead.

Carousel View

Carousel view allows survey takers to view matrix tables 1 statement at a time. In the editor, these look the same as regular likert matrix tables, but look like this when taking the survey:

As you click statements, the question at the top of the scale automatically changes

Qtip: Regardless of whether you have autoadvance on questions turned on in a survey, answering a statement will automatically progress the respondent to the next statement. If respondents want to go back or skip ahead, they can use the arrows on either side of the statements.

To enable carousel view:

Select a matrix table.

Make sure the Matrix type is set to Likert.

Under Answer type, select either Allow one answer or Allow multiple answers (depending on whether respondents should select a single answer or multiple answers).

For Format, choose Carousel.

enabling carousel and adding a progress bar

Choose the Alignment of your statement text. You can choose from the following:

Vertical: Answers are lined up vertically beneath the statement.
Horizontal: Answers are lined up horizontally beneath the statement.
Column: Split answers into columns. You can set how many columns.

Select Show progress to add a progress bar to the carousel. This bar fills with color as the respondent answers the statements.

Blue progress bar filling up under the statement

Qtip: The Mobile friendly option makes sure the question is always in the vertical view in mobile.

Qtip: Unlike with other matrix tables, you can add text entry to scale points on a carousel matrix.

This is what this looks like in the survey:

Additional Options

Depending on the matrix table variation you’ve selected above, you may see some of the following additional settings when editing your question.

Answer types

If you’ve set your matrix table to the likert format, you can change the answer format.

Allow one answer: Respondents can choose 1 scale point per statement.
Allow multiple answers: Respondents can choose multiple scale points per statement. If you do, you get additional options under Add validation:
- Minimum scale points selected: Require respondents to select a certain number of answers before they can proceed with the rest of the survey. In this case, there is no maximum number of responses, only a minimum.
- Answers range: Specify a minimum and maximum number of responses the respondent can provide.
- Custom: Require respondents to select specific choices before they can proceed. See custom validation and custom validation messages.
Dropdown list: Respondents can choose a single scale point for each statement from a dropdown list. You must select Click here to edit scale points to edit the names of scale points.
Drag and drop: Respondents can drag statements into the box of a single scale point.

Data for dropdown list and drag and drop is in the same format as single answer likert matrix tables.

Mobile Friendly

When viewed on mobile devices or reduced screen sizes, Matrix Tables often require respondents to scroll to see the full question. The Mobile friendly option formats matrix table statements into an accordion so they can all fit comfortably on 1 screen.

Mobile view where each row is an item and it drops down to reveal the scale points that can be assigned

For more information on mobile compatibility for your surveys, visit our mobile survey optimization page.

Transpose Table

Transpose table switches your scale points to the left and your statements along the top. However, it is important to note that the selection works the same as when the table isn’t transposed, so that for a single answer likert matrix, you can only choose 1 scale point per statement, and data exports will have columns organized by statements.

Position Text Above

For a slightly more compact display, statements for each row sit on top of the scale rather than to the left.

Statement Groups

Statement groups are labels you can add to your answer choices, allowing you to group them together to help respondents stay organized. This option is available for likert, rank order, constant sum, and text entry variations.

Click Add statement group to add a group to your matrix question. See Assign to Group for information about customizing your statement group.

Repeat Headers

Repeat headers are helpful for respondents when matrix tables are longer. The header row is repeated periodically throughout the question.

Repeat scale points along the middle row of statements (Middle).

Repeat scale points along the bottom row (Bottom).

Repeat scale points both along the middle and the bottom rows (Both).

a matrix table with the both option enabled for repeat headers

Repeat scale points above every row of statements (All).

Add Whitespace

Add whitespace is helpful for respondents on longer matrix tables. When enabled, whitespace is added periodically throughout the question.

Choice Randomization

the statement and scale randomization options for question behavior

You can randomize the choices in your matrix table in the Question behavior section:

Click Statement randomization to randomize statements.
Click Scale point randomization to randomize scale points.

See choice randomization for more details.

Downloaded Data Format

Once your responses have been collected, Qualtrics offers various methods to create reports both in and out of the platform. From the Data & Analysis tab, you can view and manipulate your survey responses on an individual basis.

When you export your response data, the way your matrix table data is formatted depends on the format of the question. For example, a text entry matrix table response could display as strings of alphanumeric characters when downloaded, where a likert matrix table response displays as a single number; each question format has a different downloaded data format.

Similar to All Exports

The first 3 rows of every export are column headers. Every row after that is a different survey respondent’s answers.

Qtip: If you’ve added export tags to your matrix table, the names of export column may vary. See the linked export tags page for more on how this feature affects exports.

Single Answer Likert Matrix Table

For single answer variations of the likert matrix table, where a participant can choose 1 answer per statement on your matrix table, you’ll find 1 column in your dataset for each statement in your matrix table.

Generally, each matrix table statement get its own separate column of data. Each column has a header in the format “Question Text – Statement Text” to clarify what specific matrix table and what statement it’s referring to.

Example: In the below example data export, the column of data for the first statement is labelled, “How satisfied were you with the following during your visit? – The number of dogs in the office.”

Depending on whether you exported the data in label or value format, you will either see the scale point the respondent selected (e.g., Extremely dissatisfied) or the recode value assigned to the scale point (e.g., 1).

Multi-Answer Likert Matrix Table

Matrix question where you can choose multiple scale points

For multiple answer variations, it depends on whether you chose to split multi-value fields into columns. If you did not (which is the default), each statement gets its own column, and every answer the respondent selected is listed as comma-separated in the same column.

Example: Note how the header format is “Question – Statement” and responses are comma-separated in the same column.

If you did choose to split columns, then each scale point will have its own column in the dataset. On each participant’s row, there will be a “1” or the text of the answer in the columns of the choices they selected.

Example: Note how the header format is now “Question – Statement – Scale Point” and columns are now blank or have only 1 answer.

Text Entry Matrix Table

For this matrix variation, a column will be included in the dataset for each text box in the table. In this column, you’ll see the text each participant typed into the text box. In the example below, the text entry was restricted to Numeric Content Type, and so the export displays the numbers the respondents typed into the text boxes.

Each column is labeled according to this numbering scheme: [Question Number]_[Row Number]_[Column Number].

Max Diff Matrix Table

For this matrix variation, you’ll see a column in the spreadsheet for each item the participant can rate in your MaxDiff table. These columns are sorted so the first column in the dataset refers to the first statement in your matrix table, the second column in the dataset to the second statement in your matrix table, etc.

Depending on whether you exported the data in label or value format, you will either see:

Label: The level of favorability the respondent selected (e.g., “Favorite” or “Least Favorite”).
Value: For each row of the matrix table, you’ll see a “1” in the column representing the item listed on the left of the statements, and a “0” in the column representing the item listed on the right of the statements. In the example shown here, “Least Favorite” would be coded a “1” and “Favorite” would be coded as a 0.

Constant Sum Matrix Table

For this matrix variation, the downloaded data file will include 1 column for every text box in the matrix table. The columns are labeled according to this numbering scheme: (question number)_(column number)_(row number). In each cell of those columns will be the number that the respondent typed into the constant sum text box.

Qtip: Constant sum questions don’t automatically export the data for the totals. To include this data in your export, you can create a formula variable at any point in the data collection. If you want to be able to display this total to respondents, then before you collect your data, you’ll need to create embedded data equal to math operations adding up the piped text for the appropriate columns or rows.

Bipolar Matrix Table

For this matrix variation, the downloaded data file will include 1 column for each row in the matrix table. In each cell of those columns will be a number that corresponds to 1 of the radio boxes on that particular row. For more information on the numbers attached to radio boxes in a question, visit our recode values page.

Exports will look this way regardless of whether they are in label or value format.

Rank Order Matrix Table

For this matrix variation, the downloaded data file will include 1 column for every text box in the matrix table. The columns are labeled according to this numbering scheme: (question number)_(column number)_(row number). In each cell of those columns will be the rank (in number format) that the respondent gave to that particular topic.

Profile Matrix Table

For this matrix variation, the downloaded data file will include 1 column for each statement in the matrix table. Depending on whether you exported the data in label or value format, you will either see the scale point the respondent selected (e.g., Extremely dissatisfied) or the recode value assigned to the scale point (e.g., 1).

Reporting on Matrix Tables

Once your responses have been collected, Qualtrics offers various methods to create reports both in and out of the platform. From the Reports tab, you can view aggregate data with pre-made reports as well as create your own.

A rainbow bar graph where the bars on the x axis are the satisfaction ratings, and the different colors of bars represent the statements in the matrix table

The visualization types available for your matrix table depend on the format of matrix table you’ve selected.

For example, likert matrixes tend to have the same visualization options as multiple choice questions, even down to how single answer vs. multi answer formats behave.

Meanwhile, text entry matrix tables work best with visualizations made for open feedback-style data. This includes word clouds and paginated tables in Results, and word clouds and results table visualizations in Reports.

When a matrix table is formatted to only accept numeric data, such as when it is a constant sum matrix table, the visualizations available are those best equipped to report on solely numeric data. These types of matrix tables are compatible with the same Results and Reports visualizations that constant sum questions are compatible with.

FAQs

Can I edit a live survey that is currently being taken?

Yes, but there are a couple considerations:

Who will see the changes? Only those who have not yet started the survey will see the new changes. Anyone who started the survey prior to your changes will see the original survey, not the updated one.
What kinds of changes are okay? Superficial text edits are fine (e.g., fixing a typo or changing the font), as are adding questions or answer options. However, deleting questions or answer options can harm previously collected data. We recommend never deleting answer choice options or questions (unless you are 100% positive that you will not ever need any of the collected data associated with those answer choice options or questions). Instead, we recommend hiding unwanted questions and answer options with Advanced Randomization.

To learn more, visit our page on Testing and Editing an Active Survey.

How do I save/undo my edits to my survey?

Qualtrics is a web-based application and saves differently than other downloaded or installed types of programs. Rather than having a particular “Save” button, Qualtrics automatically saves whenever you click on an actionable item outside the area you are working on, or leave the page. For example, if you are editing a question, your changes are saved when you click on a different question or change tabs.

Often, Qualtrics will allow you to undo a change if you hit Ctrl + z (PC) or Cmd + z (Mac) on your keyboard. However, not all changes are undoable.

Qualtrics automatically saves previous versions of your survey when you make edits or publish your survey. Survey versions are a snapshot of your survey and its settings and allow you to view any past version and restore your survey to that form. See the linked page for more information on this feature.

Why are my recode values all out of order?

Recode values are assigned in the order the answer choices are created. Before you start collecting responses, these values will reset to always be in sequential order as long as you haven’t edited your recode values yet. As soon as you select Recode Values to enable editing them, the order of the choices will be assigned to include re-ordering and deletion.

After you collect your first response, the recode values won't automatically update to be in a sequential order so as to protect your collected data.

So, if you make three options—we'll say Red, Yellow, and Blue—your recode values initially are 1, 2, and 3. If you delete Yellow and add Orange, Orange is the fourth option and has a recode value of 4. Your recode values are now 1, 3, and 4. If you move Red so that it’s the last listed option, your recode values are now 3, 4, and 1.

However, you can change the recode values at any time without affecting your data. You will see the updated values the next time you download your data or view your results.

How do I allow text entry on my “Other” answer choice?

Click on the answer choice (as if you were going to edit the answer text).

Click on the blue dropdown arrow that appears to the right of the choice.

Select Allow Text Entry.

Why are all of my fonts different in my survey? How do I fix it?

Fonts can be edited 2 ways: globally and locally.

Global font changes are made in the Look and feel menu and local font changes are made in the rich content editor for that specific question or answer choice.

Local font changes override global font changes, so if you made both types, you’ll end up with a mix between the global font settings and the local font settings for questions. Follow these steps to clear away all local formatting and let the global changes take effect uniformly:

Select all the questions (click on the first question, scroll to the bottom, hold down Shift, and click the last question).

Click Tools.

Highlight Review.

Select Strip Formatting.

Note that global changes made within Look and feel do not show up in the Survey tab. You need to preview the survey to see the changes and styling.

Why did the Edit Multiple button disappear on my survey?

The Edit Multiple button disappears when a survey collects at least 1 response. This is a protective measure, since deleting answer options may corrupt your collected data and the Edit Multiple feature makes it very easy to delete answer options. If you copy a project where this has happened, the survey copy will also have Edit Multiple disabled.

Pausing response collection will not bring Edit Multiple back. However, if you import the survey questions into a new project via the Import Questions From button, the Edit Multiple button will return.

What does this red X next to my answer choice mean?

Chances are, that choice is being excluded from analysis, meaning it won't show up in reports or data exports. This is a reversible setting. Read the linked support page for more details.

I want to remove a question or answer choice from a survey, but I’ve already collected some data. What do I do?

Once you’ve collected data, we recommend never deleting a question or answer choice, as it could invalidate your data. Instead, you can use Display Logic to hide your question or answer choice so that respondents will not see it. See Hiding Questions with Display Logic for more information.

How do matrix tables appear in Website and App Insights projects?

It depends on the settings you have applied to your survey and the creatives you are using. If you are using the simple layout or have applied the "Mobile friendly" setting, your matrix table will appear in the accordion format. This is recommended if you're embedding your survey in a modal, dialog, or window of some sort, such as a Responsive Dialog or Feedback Button.

If you don't apply the simple layout or "Mobile-friendly" setting, your matrix table will appear as a standard matrix table, regardless of whether that fits in the window where it's embedded.

To learn more about making surveys optimized for Website & App Insights, see Mobile Survey Optimization and Formatting Embedded Targets.

What kind of project can I use this type of question in?

For a full list of questions and their project compatibilities, see this table.

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