Can I Disable Help Text on Survey Questions?

Every survey question in PaperSurvey includes default help text that guides respondents on how to mark their answers. You can disable this default text or replace it with custom instructions. However, removing instructions can significantly impact response accuracy, so it is worth understanding the trade-offs before making changes.

Why help text matters for accurate responses

Without clear instructions, respondents face several problems:

1. Uncertainty about how to respond. They will not know whether to select one or multiple options.
2. Confusion about marking method. Should they check, cross, or fill the bubble?
3. Risk of missed responses. Checkmarks can sometimes be written outside the answer box when people respond quickly, leading to unrecorded answers.

Recommended marking methods

• Cross (X) is the most reliable, as it is harder to miss the box
• Fill in bubble is clear and consistent
• Avoid checkmarks as they can easily extend outside the box

Removing default help text

If you still want to remove the default instructions:

1. Open the survey and click Settings next to its name.
2. In Paper Survey, under Help Text, turn off Default help text.
3. Click Save Changes in the bar at the bottom of the page.

Questions that have their own help text keep it.

Only remove help text if you are certain respondents understand how to complete your survey.

Adding custom help text

Each question can have its own custom instructions:

1. On the survey's Setup tab, find the question's card.
2. Click the help text line under the question text. Until you type in it, it shows the default text in grey, such as "Please cross one".
3. Type your own instructions.
4. Click Save in the toolbar.

Your text prints in place of the default instruction for that question.

Other help text display options

The Help Text section in the survey's Settings also lets you adjust how help text looks:

• Help text alignment places the help text on the left or right side of the page
• Italic help text displays all help text in an italic style
• Show in Web Surveys also displays help text in the web version of your survey (available when web surveys are enabled)

Best practices for help text

Always include instructions when:

• The question is multiple choice (respondents need to know they can select several)
• You are using rating scales or grids
• The question format might be ambiguous
• You are working with general public audiences

Consider custom help text for:

• Specifying an exact number of selections (e.g., "Select your top 3 choices")
• Clarifying marking preferences (e.g., "Mark with X")
• Adding examples or context
• Providing special instructions for complex questions

Only remove help text when:

• Running internal surveys with trained staff
• Questions are extremely simple (yes/no with an obvious single selection)
• You have tested thoroughly and confirmed there is no confusion

Examples of effective help text

Instead of removing help text entirely, consider replacing it with concise, clear instructions:

• "Mark one box with X"
• "Mark all that apply with X"
• "Fill in the bubble completely"
• "Select only your top choice"

A few words of instruction can prevent hundreds of unusable responses.