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Preparing an Advanced Format TXT File

Owned by Brittany Boyer
Last updated: Nov 22, 2024
4 min read

Advanced Format TXT files in Qualtrics are primarily used for importing survey structures, such as questions, choices, and basic configurations. These files provide an efficient way to structure and import surveys, especially for those who prefer working with raw code or need to create surveys in bulk. However, it’s important to note that advanced logic (e.g., skip patterns or display logic) must still be added post-import in the Qualtrics platform.

Contents

Overview

Purpose of Advanced TXT Format

  • Used to define the core structure of a survey, including:

    • Question text

    • Question types

    • Answer choices

    • Basic settings

  • Advanced logic like skip patterns or branching must be configured in the Qualtrics editor after import.

Specifying Types Within Tags

  • Tags define the type and structure of questions. Correct formatting is essential for successful imports.

  • Examples:

    • [[Question:MC]]: Multiple-choice question

    • [[Question:TE]]: Text-entry question

    • [[Question:Text]]: Descriptive text block

    • [[Question:TE:Form]]: Form-style text entry question

Incorporating HTML Formatting

The Advanced TXT format supports HTML tags for styling question text, choices, and block introductions. This allows you to improve the visual appeal and clarity of your survey by incorporating elements like bold text, italics, colors, font sizes, and more.

Common HTML Tags and Their Uses

  • Bold Text: <b>...</b>

  • Italics: <i>...</i>

  • Underline: <u>...</u>

  • Font Color: <span style="color:#HEXCOLOR;">...</span>

  • Font Size: <span style="font-size:SIZEpx;">...</span>

  • Line Breaks: <br>

Examples of HTML Formatting

  1. Styling Block Titles You can format block introductions with HTML to make them visually distinct.

[[Block:Workshop or Training Details]] [[Question:Text]] [[ID:Wkshp_intro]] <span style="color:#bf5700; font-size:32px;"><b>Workshop or Training</b></span>

  • Result: The block title will appear in bold text with an orange color and a larger font size.

  1. Adding Emphasis to Question Text You can use HTML tags to emphasize certain parts of a question.

[[Question:MC:MultipleAnswer]] [[ID:Wkshp_Target]] Who was the audience? <i>Select all that apply.</i> [[Choices]] Undergraduate Students Graduate Students Faculty or Staff

  • Result: The phrase "Select all that apply" will appear in italics.

  1. Formatting Choices with HTML While it’s less common, you can use HTML in choices to provide additional emphasis or explanations.

[[Question:MC]] [[ID:Res_Name]] What resource(s) are you tracking this semester? <i>Select all that apply.</i> [[Choices]] <span style="color:green;">Narcan (i.e., naloxone)</span> <span style="color:blue;">Safer Sex Supplies</span> Sleep Kits Other (please specify)

  • Result: The first two choices will appear in green and blue text, respectively.

  1. Including Line Breaks in Text Use <br> to create line breaks within question text or blocks.

  • Result: The block will display the title "Resource Tracking" followed by the descriptive text on a new line.

Best Practices for HTML Formatting

  1. Use HTML Sparingly: Avoid overloading your survey with too many styles, as this can make it look cluttered or distract respondents.

  2. Test Your File: Always test your HTML-formatted TXT file after importing it to ensure the styles render correctly in Qualtrics.

  3. Focus on Accessibility: Use formatting thoughtfully to maintain readability for all users, including those using assistive technologies.

Question Type Codes

Multiple Choice Questions

Tags: [[MC]] or [[MC:MultipleAnswer]]

  • Single-Answer Questions: Use [[MC]].

  • Multiple-Answer Questions: Use [[MC:MultipleAnswer]].

  • Examples:

Text Entry Questions

Tags: [[TE]], [[TE:SingleLine]], or [[TE:Form]]

  • Single-Line Text Input: [[TE:SingleLine]] is used for single responses.

  • Form Questions: [[TE:Form]] allows multiple text-entry fields in one question.

Example: Single-Line Text Input

Example: Form Question

Other Tags

Survey-Level Tags

  • [[AdvancedFormat]]: Declares the file as an advanced format TXT file. Always required.

Question and Answer Tags

  • [[Question:{type}]]: Defines the question type (e.g., MC, TE).

  • [[Choices]]: Lists response options or text-entry fields.

  • [[ID:{identifier}]]: Assigns a unique identifier to the question.

Block Tags

  • [[Block:{block name}]]: Starts a new block with a specified name.

  • [[Text]]: Displays rich-text content within a block.

Example: Block Definition

Example of an Advanced Format .txt File with 2 Complete Questions

Here’s an example of a multiple-choice question with multiple answers and a text-entry form question:

Conclusion

The Advanced TXT format offers a powerful way to structure surveys in Qualtrics, allowing for flexibility in defining question types, layouts, and settings. While it doesn’t support advanced logic directly, Qualtrics’ editor provides tools for adding logic post-import. By mastering this format, you can streamline survey creation and manage large projects efficiently.

Special thanks to Charles GPT for helping organize and refine this article.

 

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