PaperSurvey offers a comprehensive set of question types designed for paper-based data collection. Each type is optimized for accurate OCR recognition and easy respondent completion. Understanding the available options helps you choose the right format for every question in your survey.
Selection questions
Single choice
Respondents select one answer from multiple options. The system flags entries with multiple selections for review.
Best for: Yes/No questions, gender selection, single preferences
Multiple choice
Allows selection of one or more answers. You can set maximum selection limits if needed.
Best for: "Select all that apply" questions, interest areas, service preferences
Range
Respondents mark their position on a scale between two endpoints.
Best for: Satisfaction scales, agreement levels, frequency indicators
NPS (Net Promoter Score)
A specialized 0-10 scale with automatic NPS calculation built in.
Best for: Customer loyalty measurement, recommendation likelihood
Discrete choice (conjoint)
Presents a set of alternatives described by a shared list of attributes and asks respondents to pick the one they prefer. Each alternative is a column, each attribute is a row, and respondents mark a single choice. Set it up by listing the attributes to compare and the alternatives with their values. To present several choice tasks, add a separate discrete choice question for each one.
Best for: Trade-off and preference research, product concept testing, pricing and feature comparisons
Grid questions
Single choice grid
Multiple questions share the same answer options, with one selection allowed per row.
Best for: Likert scales, feature ratings, comparative evaluations
Multiple choice grid
Multiple questions allowing multiple selections per row.
Best for: Feature usage matrices, availability schedules, preference grids
Before/After Table
Each row shows a statement in the middle with the same rating scale on both the left and the right, so respondents rate every item under two conditions in one compact grid. Set it up by defining the shared rating scale once, adding each statement as a row, and labeling the two sides.
Best for: Before and after comparisons, then vs now retrospective ratings, expectation vs experience, importance vs performance
Text and number input
Number
Numeric input with optional digit limits for structured data collection.
Best for: Ages, quantities, IDs, phone numbers, postal codes
Date
Structured date entry with automatic validation.
Best for: Birthdates, event dates, deadlines
Date (day/month choice)
A date entered by crossing day and month boxes rather than writing digits, read automatically via optical mark recognition.
Best for: Dates where marking boxes is easier than writing, such as start months or day-of-week selection
A text field validated as an email address, flagging entries that do not look like a valid address.
Best for: Contact capture, follow-up permissions, newsletter sign-ups
Postal code
A field formatted for postal or ZIP codes, with country-specific formats and fixed digit layouts where applicable.
Best for: Addresses, catchment analysis, regional segmentation
Barcode
Reads a barcode or QR sticker (QR, Code 39, Code 128) placed within the field boundaries.
Best for: Linking forms to inventory, assets, samples, or existing records
Inline text and number inserts
Advanced fields embedded directly inside a sentence or block of text, so a short text or number answer sits within your own wording rather than as a separate labeled question.
Best for: Fill-in-the-blank phrasing, structured statements, custom inline responses
Short text
Single-line text input for brief responses.
Best for: Names, email addresses, brief answers
Long text
Multi-line text area for detailed responses.
Best for: Comments, feedback, explanations, suggestions
Signature
Captures signatures as images without any additional processing.
Best for: Consent forms, agreements, authorization
Layout elements
Heading
Ten heading styles are available with customizable colors: four classic sizes including the filled band, plus numbered sections, side rules, uppercase kickers, centered titles with flanking rules, outlined frames, and short accent underlines. Any heading can also carry a muted subtitle line, and the boxless styles can draw a filled chip behind the text.
Best for: Section titles, instructions, grouping related questions
Description
A block of descriptive or instructional text that is not a question and collects no answer.
Best for: Instructions, context, consent wording, section introductions
Box
A container that visually groups related content on the page, in four styles: the classic bordered box, a borderless tinted panel, a thin outline, and a titled card with a colored title band.
Best for: Highlighting a section, framing instructions, drawing attention
Page break
Forces content to start on a new page.
Best for: Logical survey sections, keeping related questions together
Divider
A visual separator between question groups, available as a classic line in several weights, dotted, double line, ornament, dashed, and centered dots. Any line style can also render short and centered.
Best for: Visual organization, section separation
Vertical spacing
Adds blank space between elements.
Best for: Improving readability, creating visual breathing room
Multi-column
Groups questions in 2, 3, or 4 column layouts.
Best for: Short questions, demographic data, space optimization
Repeater
Repeats the next set of questions a fixed number of times, saving each repeated block as a separate entry. Use [counter] and [max_counter] in question names for labels such as "Person 1 of 3."
Best for: Rosters, multiple people or items per form, repeated sections
Special
Prefill data
An invisible field that associates prefilled data with a response. It is not shown on the form and collects no answer from the respondent. See the Prefill Data section for setup and bulk link generation.
Best for: Matching responses to known records, tracking codes, mail-merge data
Need a custom question type?
If your survey requires a specialized question format not listed here, contact us at hello@papersurvey.io. We regularly add new question types based on user needs.