Creating an Autosuggest Answer List

Using the Autosuggest Element requires the creation of a valid answer file, which contains a list of all the answers you would like to be suggested to participants as they type. The answer file can be created using a simple spreadsheet application, like Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets.

1:  File Requirements

Your answer file must be uploaded in .xls, .xlsx, .txt, .csv, or .dat format. Additionally, the following requirements apply to each type of answer file:

• .txt and .csv file contents must be either tab-delimited or comma-separated.
• .dat file contents must be tab-delimited.

Note: Any valid non-.dat answer file will be converted to .dat format on upload.

Note: If your answer file was originally saved in Excel (in .xls or .xlsx format), you can use the excelToTab option for the Upload/Replace Files API endpoint to convert your file to .dat format prior to uploading. This option is automatically enabled when uploading files via the Autosuggest element.

1.1:  Required Variables

The answer file must contain at least two columns – an answer key column as well as an answer value column. These columns should be labeled as follows:

• uniqueKey:  The unique ID for each answer value.
• answerKey:  The answer values that are suggested as participants start typing.

In addition to these two columns, the list may include additional variables to filter how answer values are suggested.

1.2:  Optional Variables

The following additional variables are optional:

• language:  The survey language code (decLang value) to be used for displaying answers. Only answers with language values matching a participant’s assigned survey language will be suggested.
• filter1:  One or more unique values to be used for displaying answers. Only answers matching the values a participant entered will be suggested. Multiple filter values should be comma-separated.
• filter2:  Additional values to be used for displaying answers. Only answers matching the values a participant entered will be suggested. Multiple filter values should be comma-separated.

Note: You may specify up to two filters for a single element. Additional filters of this type are not supported at this time.

1.3:  Additional Considerations

The following considerations and limitations apply when creating an answer list:

• Larger files (i.e., files containing 10,000+ rows) may affect performance and cause loading delays.
• You can upload files up to 50 MB in size.

2:  Example File

Below is an example of an answer list created in Notepad, which contains the required key variables, as well as two filter variables and a language variable.