In this article
Background variables are predefined data points collected about respondents before or during a survey. These variables are not questions asked within the survey itself but are instead preloaded data that can be used to filter, segment, and analyze survey results.
1: Examples of Background Variables
1.1: Demographic Information:
Age
Gender
Location
Employment status
1.2: Respondent Identification:
Email address
Account ID
Contact name
1.3: Categorical Information:
Customer type
Membership status
2: Adding Background Variables to your Survey
To create background variables in your survey, follow these steps:
2.1: Adding a Folder
Go to the "Design" tab of your survey.
Click the three vertical dots next to the first item in your survey.
Select "Add item before" and choose "Folder".
Name the folder "Background variables".
2.2: Adding Background Variables
Below are some examples of typical text variables you may want to add to your survey, and how to add them.
Respondent Email:
Click the three dots menu next to the background variables folder and select "Add Item inside".
Click the "Text" question item.
Click the pencil icon to edit the question ID (default is q[number]. Type "email" (must be lowercase) and press the Enter key to save.
Using the "Type" drop-down menu, change the type to "Background variable".
Enter "email" in the Title and Text fields.
Account Name:
Click the three dots menu next to the background variables folder and select "Add Item inside".
Click the "Text" question item.
Click the pencil icon to edit the question ID (default is q[number]. Type "AccountName" and press the Enter key to save.
Using the "Type" drop-down menu, change the type to "Background variable".
Enter "Account Name" in the Title and Text fields.
Account ID, Contact Name, and Contact ID:
Repeat the process for each variable:
Duplicate the previous variable.
Update the question ID and titles accordingly.
Ensure the Type is set to Background variable.