The Questions page is where you create custom questions for use on registration forms, Certain Check-In, and elsewhere.

It is the same page opened in a pop-up window when you add or edit a question on any of the following pages:

• (Event) > Plan > Event Setup > Questions
• (Event) > Plan > Event Setup > Travel
• ( Event) > Plan > Event Setup > Agenda > Agenda Item > 'Advanced'

( Note: This is a legacy feature used prior to development of the Forms > Agenda section. )

• ( Event) > Plan > Forms > (form) > Questions Section
• Account Settings > Registration > Profile Data (Administrators only)
• Account Settings > Management > Event Data (Administrators only)
• Account Settings > Management > Display Fields (Administrators only)

Jump to: | Select Question Type | Details | Settings | Answer Options | |---|---|---|---| | Preview Question and Set Default Answer | Display Settings | | |

Creating a Custom Question

To create a custom question, you need to supply:

• the question (a request for information).
• for some questions, the possible answers (a way for the registrant to respond).

Use the sections on this page to create questions and answers to collect:

Profile data

Profile data is unique information about a registrant that is not likely to change even if the person attends multiple events.

Profile data cannot be collected using Certain's built-in data entry fields.

Example profile data question:

• "What division of the company are you in?"

Each Certain account may have up to 40 profile data questions.

An administrator sets up profile data on Account Settings > Registration > Profile Data.

Registration information

Registration information is information collected from a registrant relating to a specific event.

Example registration information question:

• "How did you hear about this event?"

Registration information questions can include options to select.

Each event may have up to 135 registration information questions.

You set up registration information on Plan > Event Setup > Questions.

Videos:

• All videos about Custom Questions
• Video: Adding a Question
• Video: Creating a Question

Event information

Event information is information that the event planner needs.

Registrants may not even see event information.

Each Certain account may have up to 45 event information questions.

An administrator adds event information on the Custom Event Data page:

• Account Settings > Management > Event Data

Display Fields

Display Fields are fields that the event planner uses when configuring the display used for registration forms, event websites, and even email templates.

Display Fields:

• See Plan > Configure > Primary Display
• See Extended Display

Travel information

Travel information is travel reservation information.

Travel information requires the Travel Module and its Travel Reservations sub-module.

Each event may have up to 30 "Custom Travel Questions".

The custom travel questions include 15 default questions.

Example default travel question:

• Travel Request Confirmation Number

See Plan > Event Setup > Travel.

Agenda Item information

Agenda Item information is legacy feature information.

> Caution: legacy feature

Agenda Item information is information about the reservation of an agenda item.

Example agenda item information question:

• "How many tickets would you like to purchase?"

Certain knows where to show (that is, how to assign) each custom question and its corresponding answer field.

Certain assigns each custom question and answer field based on the page from which the Questions page was accessed.

To create a custom question

Follow the steps below that correspond to the sections you see on the Questions page in Certain.

Skip steps that refer to panels you do not see.

> Note: When you begin to create a custom question, you see only two sections on this page: Select Question Type and Details.

The question type you choose determines which other sections and options are displayed.

Select Question Type

STEP 1 – Select the type of question/answer format

STEP 1 selects the type of question/answer format that best collects the needed information.

These formats are based on the answer method.

> Caution: Once a question has been answered by anyone, you can't change its type.

You must delete the question and recreate it.

Text

Text is a text field with a single row for answer entry.

Text supports up to 256 characters.

Textarea

Textarea is a text area with multiple rows for answer entry.

Textarea supports up to 4000 characters.

Radio (button)

Radio (button) is a question type where the registrant selects one answer from multiple choices displayed as radio buttons.

Checkbox

Checkbox is a question type where the registrant selects zero or more answers from a list displayed as check boxes.

Select

Select is a question type where the registrant selects one answer from multiple choices displayed as a drop-down list.

Select Multiple

Select Multiple is a question type where the registrant selects zero or more answers from multiple choices displayed as a scrolling list.

Ticket

Ticket is a question type where the registrant enters an integer value to indicate the number of items to select or purchase.

Date

Date is a question type where the registrant enters a date.

The registrant can select the date from a calendar selection or enter the date in a text field.

Date uses a specified format (see Date Formats, below).

Default for Date is the current date.

Maximum for Date is 20 years later.

Time

Time is a question type where the registrant enters a time as a text field.

Time uses a specific format.

Date-Time

Date-Time is a question type where the registrant enters a date and time.

The registrant can select the date from a calendar selection or enter the date in a text field.

The registrant enters time as a text field.

Date-Time uses a specified format (see Date Formats, below).

Number

Number is a text field validated as a number.

Integer

Integer is a text field validated as an integer.

Integer requires a whole number without any decimal places.

File

File is a question type where the registrant can upload a file.

A registrant attaches the uploaded file to the registration.

Uploadable file types include:

• Word documents (and other word processing formats)
• Excel (and other spreadsheets)
• .PDF
• .PPT (and other presentation formats)
• .AI
• .EPS
• .HTML
• .HTM
• .RTF
• text
• .Zip

File size must be less than 4 MB.

File name should be less than 50 characters.

File name must be unique within the event.

Image

Image is a question type where the registrant can upload an image file.

The registrant attaches the uploaded image file to the registration.

Uploaded file must be of image type:

• .JPG
• .JPEG
• .PNG
• .GIF
• .EPS

> Note: .ai and .psd images should be uploaded via File questions.

Image file size must be less than 4 MB.

Image file name should be less than 50 characters.

Image file name must be unique within the event.

Rating

Rating is a question type where the registrant gives a rating of one to five by clicking one symbol.

When creating the question, you select a Rating Symbol of Star (the default) or Radio.

Star rating symbol:

• or

Radio rating symbol:

• (the source shows star symbols and radio circles without readable alt text)

Details

STEP 2 – Provide the requested information about the question part

STEP 2 provides the requested information about the question part of the question/answer format.

> Note: The question type you selected determines which other options are shown in this section.

Name

Name is required.

Name is what shows on attendee confirmations and in user's views.

Example Name:

• "Business type:"

Best practice:

• Keep the name short to make it easy to find.

Name may appear in Registration reports.

Code

Code is an abbreviated name used for report column headers.

If Code is left blank, Certain sets Code to the question's Name when you save the question.

Display for Reg Form

Display for Reg Form is optional.

Display for Reg Form is text or HTML displayed on registration forms.

> Note: Display for Reg Form is not used anywhere else.

Example Display for Reg Form:

• "What type of business are you in?"

If Display for Reg Form is left blank, Certain sets it to the question's Name when you save the question.

Error message

Error message is optional.

Error message is a message displayed if the answer to this question fails its validation.

Example Error message:

• "Select the type of business you are in."

If Error message is left blank, the form's default error message is used.

Tags

Tags apply when tags have been set up in the account by your Administrator.

Tags are available for the question type you are adding or editing.

You can select one or more tags.

> More info: > Note: This field is only available if tags have been set up for the relevant "object". > For example, if you are adding questions under Event Setup > Custom Questions, then the Tags field is only shown if your Administrator has set up any tags for the 'Registration Questions' object.

> Technical Note: All tags are exposed via Certain's API 2.0.

The APIs associated with the objects return the associated tags if you include an includeList=tags attribute.

For more information, see:

• tips on creating names, codes, and labels

Settings (not available for Radio and Select question types)

STEP 3 – Provide the requested information about the answer part

STEP 3 provides the requested information about the answer part of the question/answer format.

> Note: The question type you selected determines which options are shown in this section.

Size of input field or Size of form field

Size of input field applies to Text and Text Area questions.

Size of input field is the width of the answer field.

Size of input field is the maximum number of characters displayed without moving the cursor within the field.

Size of input field may be shorter than the actual answer.

Size of form field applies to Ticket, Integer, Number, File, and Image questions.

Size of form field is the width of the answer field.

The width corresponds to the maximum number of characters displayed without moving the cursor within the field.

Size of form field may be shorter than the actual answer.

Characters in Answer

Characters in Answer applies to Text and Text Area questions.

Minimum:

• Minimum is optional.
• Minimum is the minimum number of characters in the answer.
• Note: Minimum may not be greater than 50.
• Blank means no minimum length.

Maximum:

• Maximum is optional.
• Maximum is the maximum number of characters in the answer.
• Note: Maximum may not be greater than 8000.
• Blank means maximum is set by system limits.

Enable character count:

• Enable character count applies to Text Area questions.
• If selected, the registrant sees how many characters they can still enter.

Number of answers allowed

Number of answers allowed applies to Checkbox and Select Multiple questions.

Minimum:

• Minimum is the minimum number of answers the registrant can select.
• If left blank, it is set to 0.

Maximum:

• Maximum is the maximum number of answers the registrant can select.
• If left blank, it is set to 0.

Number of options to display

Number of options to display applies to Select Multiple questions.

Number of options to display is the number of answer options to display in the drop-down list.

# of 'tickets' allowed

of 'tickets' allowed applies to Tickets questions.

Minimum:

• Minimum is the lowest number the registrant can enter.
• If left blank, it is set to 0.

Maximum:

• Maximum is the highest number the registrant can enter.
• If left blank, it is set to 0.

Minimum, Maximum:

• Enter the desired limits.

Range of values

Range of values applies to Integer and Number questions.

Minimum:

• Minimum is the lowest value the registrant can enter.

Maximum:

• Maximum is the highest value the registrant can enter.

Example:

• If Minimum equals 5 and Maximum equals 10, then a registrant could enter 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10.

Date Format

Date Format applies to Date and Date/Time questions.

Date Format requires selecting a format.

Default Date Format is MM/DD/YYYY.

Formats available (with examples):

• MM/DD/YYYY (10/29/2019)
• DD/MM/YYYY (29/10/2019)
• D M, Y (29 Oct, 19)
• D MM, Y (29 October, 19)
• DD, D MM, YY (Monday, 29 October, 2019)

Time Format

Time Format applies to Date, Time, and Date-Time questions.

Time Format requires selecting:

• AM/PM
• or 24-hour

Date Range

Date Range applies to Date and Date-Time questions.

From:

• From is the earliest date the registrant can select.

To:

• To is the latest date the registrant can select.

Year Range

Year Range applies to Date and Date-Time questions.

Year Range is relevant only if you have not selected a Date Range.

From:

• From is the earliest year the registrant can select a date.

To:

• To is the latest year the registrant can select a date.

Answer Options (for Radio, Checkbox, Select, and Select Multiple question types)

STEP 4 – Enter answer options

STEP 4 enters answer options for each answer option you want to offer the registrant.

Each answer option includes:

• a Label.
• a Name.
• a Code.

The Name and Code are separated by hyphens, for example:

• Yes I will attend-Yes-Y
• (The source shows "Yes I will attend—Yes - Y" with hyphens and formatting.)

The entries are entered on one line of the text box.

For more information, see:

• tips on creating names, codes, and labels

You must enter a Label.

Name and Code are optional.

Press Enter after each answer option to begin a new entry.

Do not use the Tab key.

> Note: Maximum answer options per question is 1000. > > Recommended: do not exceed 150 to maximize registration form performance.

STEP 5 – Save to display additional options

STEP 5 clicks Save at the bottom of this page.

This step is not 'Save and Close'.

Additional options are displayed.

STEP 6 – Select additional options (if needed)

Seq:

• Seq is Sequence.
• Seq is a number used to determine the display order for each answer option.

Label:

• Label is text or HTML to show to registrant as answer choice.
• Verify your entry.

Name:

• Name is text to show on confirmations.
• Verify your entry.

Code:

• Code is text to display in reports.
• Verify your entry.

Sel?:

• Sel? clears this check box if this option is for display purposes only.
• Sel? means the option cannot be selected.

See this warning about using Sel? or Web? for questions linked to agenda items.

The source says the linking happens via the Advanced button on Event Setup > Agenda.

Web?:

• Web? clears this check box to remove the answer option from the registrant's online form.

See this warning about using Sel? or Web? for questions linked to agenda items.

The source says the linking happens via the Advanced button on Event Setup > Agenda.

Cap:

• Cap is Capacity.
• Cap is the number of times this answer can be selected per event.

Act?:

• Act? clears this check box to deactivate (delete) the answer.

Sort answer options alphabetically by Label:

• Sort answer options alphabetically by Label is a check box.
• If checked, the system sorts answer options alphabetically by their label on the registration form.
• Sorting alphabetically overrides numbers in the Seq fields.

Add a text field after the last option:

• Add a text field after the last option enables a text field after the last answer option in the list.
• This option is most commonly used when you include an 'Other' option.

Example answer options:

• "Vegetarian"
• "Kosher"
• "Other (please specify):"

You can specify properties of the text field.

You can specify whether the text field is a required entry.

> Important: The registrant must select the last answer option in their list when entering text into the Other field.

Display text box on click:

• Display text box on click is only available if you selected the previous one: 'Add a text field after the last option'.
• Select this check box if you want the text field to only be displayed to the attendee after the attendee selects (clicks) the last option.
• This prevents the attendee from wondering what the empty text box is for.
• The attendee only sees the text field if the attendee selected the option requiring text entry.

Preview Questions and Set Default Answer

STEP 7 – Preview your entries

STEP 7 clicks the Save button on the bottom of this page.

This step is not 'Save and New'.

STEP 7 previews your entries in this section.

STEP 8 – Verify the question's appearance

STEP 8 verifies the question's appearance.

You can change the appearance using Display Settings options.

You click Save to preview any changes.

STEP 9 – Select default answer (for applicable types)

STEP 9 applies to radio buttons, check boxes, and select drop-down lists.

STEP 9 selects a default answer from the answer options displayed in the drop-down list.

STEP 10 – Change the question's appearance if needed

STEP 10 changes the question's appearance using Display Settings options.

STEP 10 clicks Save to preview any changes.

Display Settings

Video:

• Setting Question Display Settings (Less than 2 minutes)

Show Online?:

• Show Online? selects one of these options:
• No (custom question is not shown on form)
• Optional (response not required if question included on registration form)
• Require (response required if question included on on form)
• Read Only (if field included on form, answer is shown but may not be amended)
• Hidden (available for Text and Textarea questions only)

Hidden:

• Hidden means the question is not shown on form.
• Hidden means the answer can be captured.
• Hidden is for use capturing UTM or other parameters from a customized form URL.

> Note: A Certain registration form must include a Questions section before it will show a custom question (regardless of this setting).

Include an empty option with the label:

• Include an empty option with the label is available for question types that have multiple selections.
• This option enables you to create a blank text entry field for the registrant to supply additional information.

Questions/Answers:

• Questions/Answers sets orientation of the question text to the answer entry field.
• Questions/Answers can be set to left/right or top/bottom.

Multiple Answers:

• Multiple Answers enables you to set whether answers should be arranged in a single column or row.
• Multiple Answers enables arrangement in a certain number of columns.

Answers Order:

• Answers Order applies if answers are displayed in multiple columns.
• Answers Order specifies whether the order the answers are displayed is:
• in rows across columns, or
• down each column and then up to the next.

Question Font, Horizontal, and Vertical Alignment:

• This option sets the typeface and positioning for question text.

Answers Font, Horizontal, and Vertical Alignment:

• This option sets the typeface and positioning for answer text.

Class:

• Class optionally enters a class name.
• Class enables a question to be styled using CSS.

STEP 11 – Save and close

STEP 11 clicks Save and Close when you are satisfied with the results shown in the Preview section.