The Surveys module includes Answer Required options in two forms that require a user to answer a specified question before proceeding to the next question in the survey. The forms and their usage of the Answer Required option is described in the sections that follow. The setting used depends upon the specified question's Question Type.

• Survey Questions (Question Branches) Form
• Possible Answer Form for a Question

Survey Questions (Question Branches) Form

This option is applicable to single-answer Question Types, including the following default types:

• Combo Box
• Horizontal Radio Buttons
• Vertical Radio Buttons

When enabled for a particular Question Branch, a user must answer the specified question before he/she can proceed to the next question in the survey. If the user attempts to click Next or Finish within answering the question, an error message appears on-screen stating that the specified question must be answered before the user can proceed. The text of the error message depends upon the Survey Style Sheets in use.

Note that this option is not applicable to the Header Question Type or Question Types that allow Multiple Answers to Save. If you want to require a user to answer a Short Answer or Rate 1 to 3 Question Type, you need to select the Answer Required option within the question's Possible Answers record.

Possible Answer Form for a Question

This option is applicable to multiple-answer Question Types, which have the Multiple Answers to Save option selected, including the following default types:

• Rate 1 to 3
• Short Answer

These Question Types specify multiple answers that correspond to rating or text fields. For example, the sample Contact Information question has four answers: First Name, Last Name, E-Mail, and Phone Number, as shown below. Each answer creates a text field so that respondents can enter their contact information.


When Answer Required is selected for a particular answer, a respondent must enter a value in the text field or rate the answer before continuing with the survey. For example, to require respondents to enter an e-mail address, select the Answer Required option for the E-Mail answer (see figure below). If a respondent clicks Next or Finish without providing an e-mail address, an error notice appears on the web site, such as changing the color of the answer text to red. The format of the error message depends upon the Survey Style Sheets in use.


Note that this option is not applicable to the Header Question Type or Question Types that use single answers. If you want to require a user to answer a single-answer question, you need to select the Answer Required option within the Survey Questions form.