Survey question data types
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Summary of Survey question data types
When creating surveys in ServiceNow, selecting the appropriate data type for each survey question is essential as it determines the question format and the kind of data collected. Various data types are available to match different response formats and data collection needs.
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Key Data Types and Their Practical Use
- Attachment: Allows users to attach one or more files to a question. Attachments are viewable and manageable before survey submission but cannot be altered afterward. Supports any platform-supported file type.
- Boolean: Users select a check box to indicate a true/false or yes/no response. Requires defining a scale indicating if checking the box is positive.
- Choice: Users pick one option from a predefined list. Requires scale definition and creation of answer options. The system auto-determines min and max based on metric values.
- Date and Date/Time: Users select a date, or date and time respectively, suitable for temporal data collection.
- Likert Scale: Presents a range of options (e.g., Easy, Average, Difficult) via radio buttons. Requires scale definition and options creation, with automatic min/max settings.
- Number: Users enter numeric values within a defined range. Requires scale definition and specifying acceptable min and max values, which should be communicated in the question.
- Percentage: Similar to Number but optimized for percentage inputs, typically between 0 and 100. Scale and range must be defined and clearly stated.
- Reference: Provides an auto-completing list from a specified reference table (e.g., users). Does not support reference qualifiers.
- String: Captures text input with options for single line, single line wide, or multiline fields.
- Template: Enables selection from predefined answer templates. Requires selecting a template and defining scale for best responses.
- Yes/No: Simple binary choice. Scale must be defined to indicate if “Yes” is the preferred response.
- Image Scale: Users select images (e.g., emojis) as responses. Allows uploading custom images for selected/unselected states. Visual behavior varies based on image presence. Does not support N/A options.
- Multiple Selection: Users select multiple options via check boxes, suitable for questions like “Select all that apply.”
- Ranking: Users assign order numbers or drag-and-drop options to rank them. Ensures unique ranking numbers. Can be mandatory or dependent on other questions.
Practical Considerations for ServiceNow Customers
- Ensure scale definitions are set correctly, especially for data types requiring assessment of best/worst answers.
- Communicate acceptable input ranges clearly in question text for Number and Percentage types.
- Use Reference data type to link survey responses to existing ServiceNow records, improving data integration.
- Utilize Image Scale questions with custom images to create engaging, visually intuitive surveys.
- Ranking and Multiple Selection types enhance the depth of feedback by capturing preferences and multiple applicable answers.
- Attachments enable richer responses but note that attached files cannot be changed after submission.
Next Steps
ServiceNow customers can leverage these data types within the Survey Designer to build tailored surveys that collect precise and actionable data. Familiarity with each data type’s requirements and behavior ensures surveys are configured effectively to meet organizational needs.
You must choose a data type for each survey question. The data type determines the format of the question and the kind of data that is collected on survey questionnaires.
The following data types are available for surveys:
Attachment data type
On questionnaires, users can attach one or more files to a question.
- View a list of the attached files.
- View an attached file in a separate window.
- Rename an attached file.
- Add or delete files
Any type of file supported by the platform can be attached to a question. One or more files can be attached a question while taking a survey or completing an assessment.
The assessment administrator can see the attachments associated with an individual question as well as those associated with the survey.
See Administering attachments for more information.
Boolean data type
On questionnaires, users select a check box beside a statement or leave it cleared.
If you select Boolean, you must fill in the Scale definition field. Select High if it is best when users select the check box.
Choice data type
On questionnaires, users select a value from a list of choices.
Date and Date/Time data types
The Date and Date/Time data types are similar.
- Date: On questionnaires, users select a date.
Figure 3. Date data type question - Date/Time: On questionnaires, users select a date and time.
Figure 4. Date/time data type question
Likert Scale data type
On questionnaires, users select a multiple choice value from a custom Likert scale. Each answer option is represented by a radio button on the scale. A Likert scale question that evaluates an application's ease of use might have the answer options Easy, Average, and Difficult.
If you select Likert Scale, you must fill in the Scale definition field and create answer options. Select High for the scale definition if the answer option with the largest metric definition Value is best.
Number data type
On questionnaires, users enter a number.
- Scale definition: Select High if a larger number is better, such as for a question that measures the number of sales made in a quarter.
- Min and Max: Enter the smallest and largest numbers users can enter. State the range of acceptable answers in the question text.
Percentage data type
On questionnaires, users enter a number.
- Scale definition: Select High if a larger percentage is better, such as for a question that measures the percentage of work an agent has completed.
- Min and Max: Enter the smallest and largest numbers users can enter. Generally 0 and 100 are appropriate minimum and maximum values. If you choose values other than 0 and 100, it is usually best to state the range of acceptable answers in the question text.
Reference data type
On questionnaires, users select a value from a list that is generated from a specified reference table. The response field supports auto-completion.
For example, a user could select a user name in response to a question if you specify User [sys_user] as the reference table.
String data type
Figure 9. Single line 
Figure 10. Single line wide 
Figure 11. Multiline
Template data type
On questionnaires, users select a value from a predefined series of answer options. To use this data type, a question template must be defined.
- Template: Select a template.
- Scale definition: Select High if the answer option with the largest template definition Value is best.
Yes/No data type
On questionnaires, users select Yes or No from a list.
If you select Yes/No, you must fill in the Scale definition field. Select High if Yes is the best answer.
Image Scale data type
On questionnaires, users select an image from a predefined set of images as their response. Image scale questions can also be used in a template for better performance with surveys that have the same type of answer options.
Five emojis, similar to the Likert scale (very dissatisfied to very satisfied) are provided. However, you can upload additional images in JPG, PNG, or GIF format. Two images can be uploaded, one for selected case and another for
unselected case. For example, the selected image can be 
, and the unselected image can be 
. Larger size images are reduced to 64 x 64 pixels.
The result behavior depends on the presence of uploaded images. If no selected image is uploaded, then the question shows up blank.
| Selected image | Unselected image | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | Yes | Unselected image loads. Clicking the image changes it to the selected image. |
| Yes | No | Selected image loads with 50% opacity. Clicking the image changes the opacity to 100%. |
| No | Yes | A blank placeholder box is displayed. |
| No | No | A blank placeholder box is displayed. |
- N/A option is not supported for image scale type question.
- For an image scale type question, an empty string is saved as an answer for a hidden and dependent question of an unselected image.
Multiple selection data type
On questionnaires, users can select multiple check boxes indicating all answers that apply. For instance, a user can be instructed to "Select all that apply" in a multiple selection question.
Ranking data type
On questionnaires, users can select a different order number for each option to rank them. Drag-and-drop functionality is also supported, which allows a user to either fill in the number, or simply drag an option.
One order number cannot be selected twice. This question can be mandatory and it can also be dependent on a parent question, but not vice versa.