Autocomplete question type
About the Autocomplete question type
The "Autocomplete" question type allows for fast, convenient, and error-reduced entry from an extensive list of possible answers. As respondents type, the system shows matching suggestions they can choose from. This question type is especially helpful with long lists — such as city names, degree programs, or product names.
Typical use cases:
- Asking about places or cities visited
- Selecting products, brands, or services
- Entering degree programs or occupations in open questions with a selection aid
If needed, you can also enable the option that lets respondents enter their own answers — even when these aren't included in the original list of alternatives. Optionally, such free entries can be added to the list automatically, so that they're suggested to future respondents as well. This allows the list to expand dynamically based on actual user input.
Tip: Autocomplete not only improves usability, it also improves data quality — through consistent spelling and the avoidance of typos.
The "Autocomplete" question type is available in two variants:
- Single Choice – Only one answer can be selected.
- Multiple Choice – Several matching answers can be entered.
Most settings of these two variants largely correspond to those of the Dropdown Select question type.
This article therefore describes only the specific settings that apply exclusively to the Autocomplete question type.
Question type settings
The question-type-specific settings and features of Autocomplete are:
- Prompt Text
The text that appears as a placeholder in the input field (e.g., "Please enter…") while the field is empty. - Message when Nothing Found
Displayed when no matching suggestions are found in the list (e.g., "Sorry, nothing found…"). - Allow free entry
When enabled, respondents can enter their own answers even if they aren't included in the suggestion list. This eliminates the need for a separate answer option such as "Other." Add answers to the list
Enable this feature if new entries should automatically be added to the list of answer alternatives — e.g., for continually expanding data sources.
Tip: Especially if your survey is aimed at a broad public, you should regularly review the list of free answers (see point 6). Correct any typos and remove inappropriate or obscure entries. In open surveys, it's not uncommon for respondents to enter nonsensical or inappropriate terms just for fun — including, at times, offensive expressions or names of extremist groups. You should remove such content from the suggestion list to preserve the quality and credibility of your survey.- Button Label "Add Alternative"
Here you can customize the text of the button that appears when a new entry — one not included in the list — is added (e.g., "Add city…"). - Edit free answers
With this button, you can view and, if needed, edit the new answers freely entered by respondents (see also point 4 above).
👉 The editor's functions correspond to those in the Dropdown Select question type: editor for longer lists. - Import from File
Use this feature to conveniently import extensive lists — such as cities, products, or brands — from Excel or CSV files.
👉 For more information, see the article on theDropdown Select question type: importing answer alternatives - Export to CSV
Export the existing list as a CSV file to back it up, share it, or reuse it in another survey.
For the "Multiple Choice" subtype only:
Minimum Answers
Sets how many options respondents must select at minimum. This setting is especially helpful for questions where several entries are expected — e.g., "Please name at least two cities you have visited."
Important: When a minimum number is defined, the current questionnaire page can only be left after the required number of options has been selected — even if the question is not marked as mandatory.- Maximum Answers
Limits the number of entries a person can make. This setting is especially helpful when you want to restrict the selection to a certain number — e.g., "Name up to five places you've visited." This lets you focus the entries on the most important aspects or specifically capture the most relevant answers.
Further settings of the "Autocomplete" question type
The remaining settings of this question type largely correspond to those of the "Dropdown Select" question type. You'll find a detailed description in the corresponding article:
Examples of autocomplete questions
Autocomplete questions are especially well suited to long lists, where respondents receive matching suggestions as they type. In the following example, entry is supported by search suggestions to make selection easier.
Note: Due to the page layout, the preview of the examples within this help article is shown in mobile format. Open the preview in a new window to see how the questions behave on a desktop device.