---
url: "https://questionstar.com/help/question-types/multiple-lines-essay/"
title: "Multiple Lines (Essay) question type"
description: "With the Multiple Lines (Essay) question type you capture long free-text responses such as feedback, testimonials or comments — including a character limit, placeholder & piping."
lastmod: "2026-07-08"
type: "help"
---

# Multiple Lines (Essay) question type

## About the Multiple Lines (Essay) question type

With the Multiple Lines (Essay) question type, respondents can enter a longer, freely worded answer across several lines. This question type is especially well suited to:

- Open feedback or suggestions for improvement
- Detailed opinions
- Comments, explanations or individual testimonials
- Follow-up questions that explain closed-ended answers

Typical use cases:

- “What suggestions do you have for improving what we offer?”
- “Please describe your experiences with the product so far.”
- “Is there anything else you'd like to tell us?”
- “Do you have any comments or suggestions for improving the help articles on QUESTIONSTAR?”

## Settings for the Multiple Lines question type

The following options are available in the settings panel:

![Multiple Lines (Essay) question type](/api/media/file/1.-Fragetyp-Mehrere-Zeilen-Essay.png)

1. **Minimum Length**
 Specifies the minimum number of characters the answer must contain.
 If the question is mandatory, respondents can't leave the questionnaire page before they've entered the defined minimum number.
 *Useful for:*TestimonialsError reportsFeedback where **a brief answer isn't enough**
2. **Maximum Length**
 Limits the maximum length of the text entry.
 This feature is especially useful when you…prefer compact feedbackwant to avoid unnecessary rambling
3. **Show character counter**
 Displays below the input field how many characters have already been entered — or how many are still available (if a limit is set).
 This feature creates **transparency** and helps respondents **gauge for themselves** how long their answer is.
4. **Initial value**
 Optional: text already entered that appears in the input field when the survey loads.
 Example: carrying over a value from a previous question via piping
 👉 [Reuse answers with piping](/help/advanced-features/piping-reusing-answers)
 This could be, for example, an answer from a previous Multiple Choice question or a personal default text.
5. **Field Placeholder**
 A gray hint text in the input field that isn't saved and disappears automatically as soon as the respondent starts typing.
 Example: “Space for your wishes, ideas, comments”
 Use placeholder text as a friendly prompt or for contextual guidance.

## Example of an essay question

The following question invites open feedback — for instance at the end of a questionnaire:

*[Interaktiv:  — siehe HTML-Version der Seite]*

[Open preview in a new window](https://app.questionstar.com/preview-panel/5e36fd96-ce12-45b1-993c-0424fd5f12df/24d09a5d-cef8-4cee-9506-618a5737d472)