03. Using the Multi-select Question Type

Introduction

Multi Select question is used in situations where there are defined but non-exclusive choices to pick. For example, which diseases have a person been immunized against. TaroWorks support advanced features such as scoring and enhanced logic for Multi Select questions.

This document will detail how to add a Multi Select Question to your form and how to answer it in the device.

 

How to Add a Multi-Select Question

1. Edit an existing draft form or start a new one. Go to the Question Builder tab.
2. On the left margin, click Multi Select (red arrow) to add the question to the bottom, or click and drag it to insert into your form.
3. Enter a Caption. Add Supporting text and check Required as desired.
4. Click Add another option (green arrow) to start a new option. Type the text for the option in the text field. Click Delete (blue arrow) to remove an unwanted option.
• NOTE: You may not leave an option as blank. You may not use the same text again.
• NOTE: If mapping to droplist field, we recommend to keep the options under 40 characters long.
• NOTE: The only way to reorder the options is to manually change the text.
  
5. Click Save to save the section.

Key Limitations

• The TOTAL number of options across ALL Single-Select and Multi-Select Questions should not exceed 1000. (Eg. 100 questions with 10 options each.) Otherwise the form runs the risk of triggering a View State Limit Error upon using Scoring or Logic
• The maximum total number of options for a single question is 99

Scoring

• Scoring is available for Multi Select questions.
• Be careful when changing the order of the options as the score value order also needs to be changed. Use preview to double check.
• Scores will be automatically be deleted when an option is deleted.
• Please see this video for details.

Logic

• You can set show/hide logic for a Multi Select question as normal.
• Multi Select question can be used as condition for other questions. Your options are:
• Answered / not answered; and,
• Does the entered value exactly match / not match an option.
• Be careful when changing the order of the options as the logic condition would also change. Use preview to double check.
• Logic based on an option will be automatically be deleted when that option is deleted.

Field Mapping

• The compatible field types for mapping are: 
• Picklist (Multi-Select); (IMPORTANT: Options should be under 40 characters long for mapping to Picklist fields)
• Text;
• Text Area;
• Long Text Area; and,
• Rich Text Area.
• Note that when mapped into text fields the values will be separated by a semi-colon. For example if A, C and D were selected they would map into text field as A; C; D.
• Be careful about field sizes, as errors may result when the option text size exceed the maximum number of characters permitted in a text field.
• For more, please refer to the Question-Field Mapping Compatibility Table.

 

Codes (NEW! in TaroWorks 4.1)

• You may enter a alphanumeric code for each multi-select option
• These codes than optionally be exported to CSV instead of the multi-select option value
• Only the multi-select options (not the codes) are visible on the mobile side

How to Answer a Multi-select Question on Mobile

1. When you reach a Multi Select question, tap any option to check the corresponding box. Tap the option again to unselect it. You may choose any combination of options. 
• NOTE: Pressing an option and holding will bring up a dialog box that allows you to remove the existing response - making the question unanswered (see below right).
2. When finished, swipe to continue to the next question.
   

• If you have marked a Multi Select question as required, then the Field Officer must at least check one of the options before they can continue.