Add An Other Option With A Text Box
In a Multiple Choice or Dropdown question, type an answer label followed by [specify]. Domandata removes the suffix and turns that answer into a text-enabled Other option.
Block Builder: Answer Options
For example:
Other [specify]creates an option labeled “Other” with a text box.Something else [specify]creates the same kind of option with a custom label.
The text box appears to respondents when they select that option. Typing only “Other” creates a normal closed answer option unless you accept a text-field suggestion shown by the editor.
Use The Other Option Shortcut
You can also press Alt+Enter while editing the answer options to append a text-enabled Other option. This shortcut must be enabled under Settings → Advanced → Keyboard shortcuts.
Settings: Keyboard Shortcuts
Use an Other field when the answer list may not be exhaustive and the write-in responses will be useful during analysis. For sensitive or potentially exhaustive categories, consider adding a separate “Prefer not to answer” option rather than treating nonresponse as Other.
Enter And Edit Options Faster
- Paste a list: Copy newline-separated answers from a document or spreadsheet and paste them into one option field. Domandata creates one option per line.
- Press Enter: Insert a new option after the current one. If the cursor is in the middle of an option, the text after the cursor moves into the new option.
- Press Backspace in an empty option: Remove that option and return to the previous one.
- Press Tab on ghost text: Accept the suggested answer. A suggestion marked “+ text field” becomes a text-enabled Other option.
- Press Cmd+N or Ctrl+N: Add a new question while editing an option, when the builder shortcut is enabled.
Block Builder: Edit Answer Options
After editing a live survey, review recodes, branching conditions, quotas, and translations that depend on the changed answers. Preview the survey before publishing the new version.
Review Features That Use The Options
Changing an answer label can affect other parts of a survey that refer to that answer. After adding, renaming, reordering, or removing options, check:
- Recodes: Confirm each answer still has the intended exported value.
- Flow and follow-ups: Review conditions that show a follow-up, route to another block, or end the survey based on a selected answer.
- Quotas and experimental assignment: Confirm category and allocation rules still target the intended option.
- Translations: Add or revise the translated label for every survey language.
- Published surveys: Preview and publish again when the participant-facing version should receive the changes.
Flow: Review Option-Based Conditions
Avoid changing answer definitions after data collection begins unless your research protocol accounts for the change. Existing responses may use earlier labels or codes, so document mid-field changes in the codebook and analysis notes.