Textbox validation

What is the open-ended text validation?

Open-ended text validation restricts the textual question type to allow a specific type of input or the number of characters.

You can configure your surveys to accept answers from respondents that pass certain rules. These rules are the settings or validation conditions that the answers must pass. Survey-creators configure surveys with these settings to collect data that would help them analyze survey results easily. These validation rules also ensure that the responses are of high-quality and standards set by market researchers.

QuestionPro surveys let you set a limit on the number of characters that a respondent can enter in the textbox. It is completely optional, and by default, there is no limit on the number of characters.

If you set the character limit on a question, it does not make the question mandatory to answer. You will need to mark the question as required to answer for the character limits to apply. If this number is set zero, the character limit does not apply. Blank spaces and special characters are counted in the total character limit.

The question will allow any response with that number of characters or lesser. You can apply a character limit in the following question types.

• Comment box
• Single row text

The limit of characters in a textbox applies to all four types of inputs that an open-ended question supports.

• Single row text
• Multiple rows text
• Email address
• Numeric input

Example of limiting the number of characters in textbox

Consider a coffee shop that wants to know if their customers have any comments or feedback for them. Assume the character limit set on this open-ended question is 10. It means respondents can enter text up to 10 characters. They can also choose to skip the question without entering anything. If the respondent wants to enter 'Please change the store timings.', he/she can type only 'Please cha'.

Uses of text validation in surveys

• Restrict the length of the text: At times, respondents can enter very lengthy text when given a chance to share their feedback in detail. - Market researchers can use set the character limit to restrict the size of the input.
• Collect concise responses: Limiting the number of characters will force respondents to stick to the point while sharing their inputs.

Advantages of text validation in surveys

• Acts as a validation: The character limit on the text acts as a barrier for a specific response to avoid a lengthy answer. You can be sure that the answer will not be longer than the specified limit.
• Better quality of data: Concise responses improve the quality of data. The lengthy text does not always help market researchers in gaining meaningful insights. With the limit on text survey questions, respondents have to share what matters most to them.

How to apply the character limit in your surveys?

Learn how to set up and use this feature with our help file on the numeric text box question.