---
url: "https://questionstar.com/help/question-types/matrix/"
title: "Matrix question type — multiple items on the same scale"
description: "Ask about multiple statements compactly using one shared Likert or rating scale. Configuration, analysis, mobile display."
lastmod: "2026-07-08"
type: "help"
---

# Matrix question type

## About the Matrix question type

The **Matrix** question type lets you rate several statements against the same criteria. Typical use cases are rating products, services, or attitudes, where respondents make a selection for each of several items. This question type is also frequently used for so-called [Likert scales](/blog/likert-scales-explained).

The Matrix offers a compact, structured way to present questions with identical answer scales.

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## Question type settings

The following settings are available in the Question Settings panel on the right:

![Settings of the Matrix question type](/api/media/file/1.-Einstellungen-des-Fragetypen-Matrix.png)

1. **Response Type**
 Choose the appropriate response type for your matrix question:**Single Choice** – only one answer option can be selected per row (e.g. for rating scales like "Agree", "Disagree").**Multiple Choice** – several answer options can be selected simultaneously per row.**Text** – a short free text can be entered per cell.**Number** – a numeric value can be entered per cell.**Date** – a date can be selected or entered per cell.**Sliders** – a rating can be given per cell using a slider.

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2. **Bulky Table Mode**
 When enabled, the table header is displayed in the classic horizontal layout instead of slanted. The slanted display (default) has the advantage that the scale looks more compact overall and clearer for respondents. The classic table header is recommended especially when using sliders or scales with few answer options.
3. **Sticky Table Header**
 When this option is enabled, the table header stays visible while scrolling — useful when there are a great many statements.
4. **Transpose**
 Swaps the positions of rows and columns. The statements are then shown as columns and the answer options as rows. This can be useful when the statements are particularly short and the answer options are longer, or when a horizontal arrangement fits the screen format better.
5. **Randomize row order**
 The order of the statements is randomly shuffled when the page loads, to reduce response bias and order effects.
6. **Randomize column order**
 The answer options can also be arranged randomly. This function is used less often, since with classic scales it can disrupt the familiar logic of the answer sequence (e.g. from agreement to disagreement).
 → You'll find more information about randomization here: [Random order of answer options, questions, pages, and blocks](/help/branching-and-display-logic/random-order)
7. **Display on Mobile Devices****As set in the layout** (default)
 How matrix questions are displayed on mobile devices is generally set uniformly for all matrices in the Style view of the survey layout. However, if you'd like a different display for a particular matrix question, you can adjust it individually here.**Accordion** (default behavior)
 Per matrix, only one statement with its scale is shown expanded at a time. Once the respondent has answered that statement, it automatically collapses and the next statement opens. All other items stay collapsed but can be opened individually if needed. 
 This display saves space and provides a better overview on small screens.**Break by Statement**
 All items (rows) are fully expanded and displayed one below the other — similar to the accordion, but without the other rows collapsing automatically. This display is especially useful for shorter matrices and for better accessibility, e.g. in surveys for blind or visually impaired people.**Slide**
 The matrix is displayed just as on the desktop. Since it's usually wider than a mobile device's screen, a horizontal scroll bar appears. Respondents can bring the answer options into the visible area by scrolling horizontally.

### Editing modes of the matrix question

The working or editor area of a matrix question consists of three editing modes, which you can switch between conveniently via tabs. This allows flexible and clear editing — especially with extensive or more complex matrices.

8. **Matrix Preview**
 In this area you see the current preview of the matrix — the way it will later be shown to respondents. Here you can edit statements and alternatives directly. If the matrix isn't fully visible in the editing view, you can switch to the separate "Statements" and "Alternatives" editing modes to edit the content more compactly.
9. **Statements**
 In this tab you can edit the statements (rows) of the matrix separately. This is especially useful with longer matrices. You can also divide statements into groups and define your own group headings to improve the structure.
10. **Alternatives**
 Here you edit the answer alternatives (columns) separately from other matrix elements. The settings are shown compactly and clearly, so you can adjust the alternatives quickly.

## Statement settings

Each statement in a matrix question has its own helper menu that offers additional editing and setting options:

![Settings of the statements](/api/media/file/2.-Einstellugnen-der-Aussagen.png)

1. **Open the statement settings**
 Click into the desired statement and then, in the helper menu, on the gear icon to open the statement settings.
2. **Highlight item**
 Enable this option to visually highlight a particular statement. This makes sense when a statement is especially important or should receive special attention.
3. **Not required**
 If a matrix question is marked as required, all statements must be answered by default. With this setting you can make individual statements optional, so respondents may skip them. This is particularly useful for optional "other" statements.
4. **Enable custom text field (e.g. "other")**
 When enabled, an additional free-text field is shown next to the statement. This lets respondents enter their own answer — typical for "other" options.
5. **"Other" answer required**
 Determine whether the additional text field must be filled in when this statement has been rated. This option is enabled by default but can be disabled if needed.
6. **Text field placeholder**
 Set a short hint text here that is shown in the empty text field (e.g. "Please specify"). This placeholder disappears as soon as respondents start entering their input.

## Answer option settings

The following answer option settings are available:

![Settings of the alternatives](/api/media/file/3.-Einstellungen-der-Alternativen.png)

1. **Open the answer option settings**
 Click on the desired answer option and then, in the helper menu, on the gear icon to edit the properties of that option.
2. **Highlight item**
 Enable this option to visually highlight an answer option. This can be useful when certain options — such as "Not applicable" or particularly important answer choices — should stand out visually.
3. **Value (code)** (Single Choice scale only)
 Here you can optionally store your own value (code) for the answer option.
 By default, QUESTIONSTAR automatically assigns ascending codes — 1, 2, 3, and so on. In most cases, therefore, no manual coding is necessary.
 Your own coding can be useful, however, for example:
when the answer options represent a measurable quantity (e.g. €5, 7 kg, 15 m²), orwhen you want to code nominal scales differently (e.g. m = male, f = female).

> 💡
> 
> **Note:**
>  These codes are used in data analysis and in the export (e.g. CSV, Excel) and can make later analysis easier.

## Grouping statements

In the Statements editing mode, you can not only manage the individual statements one by one but also group them thematically. This makes it easier for respondents to find their way around — especially with extensive or complex matrices.

**How grouping works:**

![Groups](/api/media/file/4.-Gruppen.png)

1. Switch to the "**Statements**" editing mode.

 Here you can:
2. **Assign a group heading:**
 Insert a group heading to structure statements thematically. The heading is visually emphasized but cannot be selected or rated — so it doesn't create a statement of its own, it just serves to improve the structure.

**Helper menu for groups (purple menu):**
 The following functions are available in the group's helper menu:

3. **Add Group**
 Adds a new group.
4. **Move Group Up or Down**
 Rearrange groups and their associated statements.
5. **Delete Group and Its Contents**
 Removes the entire group along with all statements it contains. Caution: the statements are lost in the process unless they were moved beforehand.

> 💡
> 
> **Note:**
> 
>  Grouping statements is especially useful when your matrix covers different topic areas — for example "Service quality", "Product range", or "Communication". Group headings help make the structure clearer and improve how well respondents understand the questions.

## Examples of matrix questions

Matrix questions are excellent for having multiple statements rated compactly and comparably against the same criteria. Here you'll find examples of how different variants of matrix questions can be used in a survey.

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