02 Variable Name

What Is It?

Specifies the name of the variable (e.g. Q1, S3a). This is written to the data file as the name of the variable that contains the data. Within the survey, it is the variable name (prefaced with '@') that is used to define skips, filters, piping, conditional text, etc.. All variables MUST have a unique variable name or an error will occur.

The Variable Name is shown above the question type symbol in Survey Shaper's Designer Pane. Note: you may need to check the Display Variable Name box in the User Preferences in order to see the labels in the flowchart.

Variable Name should not be confused with the Variable Label which is text that describes what the variable represents.

How Do I Use This?

Typically the variable name will be in the form Q#, e.g. Q1, Q2, Q3. You may choose to use different conventions e.g. M1Q1 (first question of a Module), D1 (demographic), or S1 (Screener).

Survey Shaper will automatically create a new variable name each time you create a new variable by dropping an object from the Toolbox into the Designer Pane. This can be overwritten or changed, but you will need to also update any skips or filters which use the old variable name.

Setting variable name via the Properties Pane:

Enter the variable name into the Variable Name field.

Setting variable name via the Quick Update Box:

Enter the variable name into the Variable Name field, and click OK.