---
url: "https://questionstar.com/help/getting-started/productivity-tips/"
title: "Productivity tips"
description: "Boost your productivity when building surveys with clever features, shortcuts and tips — for faster work without any loss of quality."
lastmod: "2026-07-08"
type: "help"
---

# Productivity tips

In this article we'll give you practical tips to boost your productivity when creating surveys. At the same time, we'll show you features and keyboard shortcuts that make working with QUESTIONSTAR more pleasant, faster and more efficient — all without any loss of quality.

## Enter options quickly using the keyboard

Especially with extensive questions that have many options or matrix items, constantly reaching for the mouse can be time-consuming — for instance to add new options or move between fields.

For this, QUESTIONSTAR offers handy **keyboard shortcuts** that let you make entry efficient and smooth — **entirely without the mouse**.

Use the following shortcuts:

- **`Tab`** — jumps to the next answer field
- **`Shift + Tab`** — jumps to the previous field
- **`Ctrl + Enter`** (Mac: **`Cmd + Enter`**) — adds a new option or a new item directly after the field you're currently editing

This lets you create new options or matrix entries in a continuous workflow — especially helpful with many items or when quickly copying and pasting text.

## Insert multiple options at once

Questionnaires are often prepared outside of QUESTIONSTAR — for example in Word, Excel or Google Docs. All the more convenient, then, if you don't have to laboriously transfer already-prepared answer lists one by one.

With QUESTIONSTAR you can easily insert multiple options in **a single step**:

![CtrlC CtrlShiftV](/api/media/file/1.-StrgC-StrgShiftV-75-25.gif)

1. **Copy the list of options** from your word processor or spreadsheet
(Windows: **`Ctrl + C`**, Mac: **`Cmd + C`**)
2. **Paste the entire list**
(Windows: **`Ctrl + Shift + V`**, Mac: **`Cmd + Shift + V`**)

All entries are automatically placed into individual answer fields — whether it's Single Choice, Multiple Choice or matrix questions.

## Label scales faster with the Magic wand

Labeling rating scales can be time-consuming — especially when frequently used terms like "agree," "very important" or "never – always" have to be typed in manually. With the **Magic wand tool** in QUESTIONSTAR, this goes much faster.

![Magic wand](/api/media/file/2.-MagicWand-75-25.gif)

**A click on the Magic wand icon opens a collection of 65 ready-made scale labels**, neatly sorted into **16 categories**, including:

- Agreement
- Importance
- Frequency
- Satisfaction
- Net Promoter Score (NPS)
- …and many more

With just a few clicks you can insert the right labeling — without any typing. And you stay in full control of:

- **Scale direction** (e.g. negative → positive or the other way around)
- **Number of labels** (full scale labeling or a reduced display)

This way you can label even extensive scales **quickly, consistently and professionally** — ideal for standardized question formats or academic surveys.

## Reuse questions from other surveys

In QUESTIONSTAR you can easily bring **individual questions, whole blocks or entire pages** over from other surveys — including scales, logic and layout.

**Here's how:**

![Reuse questions](/api/media/file/3.-Fragen-wiederverwenden.png)

1. In the survey editor, scroll to the bottom of the page where you want to insert content.
2. Click the "**Copy from another survey**" button.
3. In the wizard, select the survey and the content you want.

> 💡
> 
> Tip: This feature is especially useful if, for example, you work with an internal question pool or want to draw on proven questions in follow-up projects.

## Change the question type later

Did you first set up a question as Single Choice, only to realize that Multiple Choice fits better? No problem — in QUESTIONSTAR you can **adjust the question type at any time afterward**, without having to re-enter the content.

![Change field type](/api/media/file/4.-Fragetyp-aendern.png)

Select the question in question in the survey editor and simply change the question type **in the Question Settings panel on the right**. There you'll find all the relevant types to choose from — from choice questions to matrix formats to open text fields.

This keeps you flexible and lets you quickly adjust your survey when needed — with no extra effort and without losing the work you've already put into creating labels.

## Insert images into the survey

Even though it isn't a classic productivity tip — this question comes up often: **How do you insert images into a survey?**

In QUESTIONSTAR you can use images flexibly almost anywhere — whether that's:

- directly in the **question text**,
- within **options**,
- or in **instructions or page headings**.

![Images in the question](/api/media/file/5.-Bilder-in-der-Frage.png)

Simply click at the desired spot in the editor and insert the image.

This lets you visually enhance surveys, make them clearer or more interactive — without any technical know-how.

> 💡
> 
> **Tip:** 
> 
>  In many modern browsers you can add images in QUESTIONSTAR not only by uploading them as a file, but also directly via **copy & paste** into the questionnaire — for example from a web page or from a Word file via the clipboard.