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Survey Layouts Overview

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    Overview

    The Survey Layouts application allows you to manage the following:

    • Import or export a layout definition (in XML format)

    • Duplicate an existing layout

    • Delete an existing layout

    • Rename a layout

    • Apply a preview image to a layout

    • Select layout rendering version

    • Enable responsive rendering

    • Manage layout access permissions

    • Manage professional user permissions to a layout

    Getting Started

    To get started, click the Survey Layouts icon from the Forsta Plus homepage. This opens the Survey Layouts list:

    1 Import Layout Definition - This button opens a file browser from which you can import a previously exported layout definition. If you have an existing layout (for example one exported from another Forsta environment) you can use the import option to make it available in the current environment, you are logged into. This adds it to the survey layouts list and allows you to edit it.

    2 Survey Layouts List - This section lists details about each survey layout, including the Name, Access Level, Created Date, Created By and Company Name.

    3 Search - The search bar allows you to search between Survey layouts.

    4 Edit - Click the pencil icon to edit a survey layout. See Editing a Survey Layout for more information.

    5 Duplicate - Click the duplicate icon to duplicate a survey layout. The name of the duplicated layout will be ‘Copy of ’ followed by the name of the original.

    6 Export, Delete - Click the three dots to reveal a menu from which you can Export your Survey layout to .xml or .zip format (for larger files). From here, you can also delete your survey layout.

    Note: You may only delete a layout which you have the ‘Delete’ access level permission for (see Manage professional user permissions).

    Overview Page

    Click the pencil icon next to a survey layout to access its overview page.

    From here can:

    • Apply a preview image to a layout

    • Select layout rendering version

    • Enable responsive rendering

    • Manage layout access permissions

    • Manage professional user permissions to a layout

    Applying a Preview Image

    An optional preview image can be added to a layout, this makes it easy to view a preview of how the survey may look with the selected layout, once applied to the survey.

    To create a suitable preview image it is necessary to take a screenshot of a question whilst previewed with a survey that is using the desired layout.

    It is a good idea to choose a question to preview that will give a good representation of a typical survey screen (the recommended image width is 480px).

    Note: Images are provided for the standard layouts that are provided by Forsta.

    Selecting the Rendering Version

    The Rendering Version for a survey layout refers to the specific version of the rendering engine used to display and manage the survey's presentation layer. It dictates how the survey's layout, styling, and interactive elements are rendered on respondents' devices. Different rendering versions may offer varying levels of support for features, performance optimizations, and compatibility improvements.

    Older rendering versions ensure that legacy surveys maintain their intended appearance and functionality. Newer versions often include enhanced features, improved performance, and updated support for modern web standards.

    The rendering version can be selected/adjusted by using the drop down list on the layout overview screen.

    Enabling Responsive Rendering

    The Enable Responsive Rendering setting ensures that your survey layout automatically adapts to different screen sizes and device types, providing an optimal viewing experience for respondents across desktops, tablets, and mobile devices.

    Responsive rendering can be enabled/disabled by using the toggle switch on the layout overview screen.

    Managing Layout Access Permissions

    The Access Level can be used to determine who else can access and make use of a layout. The options are:

    • Private (permission controlled)

    • Available for all users in your company

    When the layout access level is private only users who you explicitly grant access permission will be able to access it (unless they are system administrators). For granting selected users with permissions, see below.

    Manage Professional User Permissions

    When on the layout overview screen there is a ‘Permissions’ button on the left side navigation bar, select this to open the permissions screen.

    On the permissions screen you can see a list of professional users who have access to the layout. The access level for each user may be set to one of the following:

    • Read only (use may view the layout but not edit it)

    • Read/Write (user may view and edit the layout)

    • Delete (user may view, edit or delete the layout)

    You may also turn on the Layout Administrator toggle switch for selected users. A Layout Administrator has elevated permissions and responsibilities, focusing on the management and customization of survey layouts.

    To grant access permissions to users who are not currently listed, click the Add Users button and then locate and add the desired user(s).

    To revoke access for a user simply press the ‘Revoke access’ button at the end of the row for the applicable user.