# Question Types Available in PaperSurvey Source: PaperSurvey.io Help Center URL: https://www.papersurvey.io/help/form-design/article/question-types-and-examples --- 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. [Image: Single choice question type] **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. [Image: Multiple choice question type] **Best for:** "Select all that apply" questions, interest areas, service preferences ### Range Respondents mark their position on a scale between two endpoints. [Image: Range question type] **Best for:** Satisfaction scales, agreement levels, frequency indicators ### NPS (Net Promoter Score) A specialized 0-10 scale with automatic NPS calculation built in. [Image: NPS question type] **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. [Image: Discrete choice question type] **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. [Image: Single choice grid question type] **Best for:** Likert scales, feature ratings, comparative evaluations ### Multiple choice grid Multiple questions allowing multiple selections per row. [Image: Multiple choice grid question type] **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. [Image: Before and after table question type] **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. [Image: Number question type] **Best for:** Ages, quantities, IDs, phone numbers, postal codes ### Date Structured date entry with automatic validation. [Image: Date question type] **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. [Image: Date day and month choice question type] **Best for:** Dates where marking boxes is easier than writing, such as start months or day-of-week selection ### Email A text field validated as an email address, flagging entries that do not look like a valid address. [Image: Email question type] **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. [Image: Postal code question type] **Best for:** Addresses, catchment analysis, regional segmentation ### Barcode Reads a barcode or QR sticker (QR, Code 39, Code 128) placed within the field boundaries. [Image: Barcode question type] **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. [Image: Short text question type] **Best for:** Names, email addresses, brief answers ### Long text Multi-line text area for detailed responses. [Image: Long text question type] **Best for:** Comments, feedback, explanations, suggestions ### Signature Captures signatures as images without any additional processing. [Image: Signature question type] **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. [Image: Heading styles] **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. [Image: Description element] **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. [Image: Box styles] **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. [Image: Divider styles] **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. [Image: Multi column layout] **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](mailto:hello@papersurvey.io). We regularly add new question types based on user needs. --- Need more? The complete PaperSurvey.io help center and blog is available as a single document at https://www.papersurvey.io/llms-full.txt.