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Beyond the raw answers, the editor lets you create derived variables: groupings (recodes) and scores. They are used to filter, to segment and to prepare the analysis. The respondent does not see them.

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Recodes: group and recalculate

A recode creates a new variable from the answers: subtotals, groupings, crosstabs. For example: grouping “dog” and “cat” under “mammals”, or creating age brackets. A recode starts from a closed or numerical question, except grids, which cannot be recoded. An open-ended question cannot be recoded this way: its answers go through Coding.
1

Create the recode question

Add a question (usually a Single choice one) and place the subtotals or categories you want in it.
2

Assign the original items

With the arrows function, attach each original item to the right subtotal.
3

Hide the question

Hide it: it is a technical variable, the respondent must not answer it.
A recode behaves like a question. If a respondent falls into no category, they can end up blocked. Check that every respondent is covered, or set a filter on the recode. Also distinguish single choice from multiple choice: multiple membership that is set up badly can block the path.

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Automatic recodes

Some recodes are provided ready-made:
  • Random allocation: distributes each respondent into one or several cells (e.g. showing 3 concepts out of 5). An option balances the number of respondents per cell. The questions are then filtered according to the cell assigned.
  • Postcode recoding: turns a French postcode into a region, a department or an urban area size. This variable then serves as a filter or as an analysis axis.
For a long list, a recode can also be built by CSV import (a file of inputs and outputs), rather than item by item.

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Scoring: award points

Scoring (Sigma icon) awards points to items. Two uses:
  • Calculating a score according to the answers, based on business logic (e.g. 1 point per brand “know and use regularly”, for an awareness score).
  • Counting the number of items selected.
The score obtained then serves as a filter (e.g. score ≥ 3) or as an analysis criterion. Scoring works on any type of question, including grids.
The score is calculated from the scoring question onwards, in questionnaire order. To filter a question on this score, place it after the question that carries the scoring: a filter placed before it will not see the score yet.

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Where these variables live

The AI review spots the classic pitfalls: item missing from a recode or a scoring, duplicate variable name, respondent likely to end up blocked. A useful habit before launching fieldwork.

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Pre-filled variables

A Pre-filled variable is a question whose answer is passed in the launch URL, then retrieved from the sample source (panel or client file), instead of being asked of the respondent. This is the mechanism that pre-fills the profile data (age, gender, region…) without asking for it again.

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Make a question pre-filled

In the Question settings, turn on Use as pre-filled variable, then enter a Name of the pre-filled variable. It is this name that will be expected in the URL and that appears in the Launch tab.
Give each pre-filled variable a unique name, identical between the sample source (URL) and the platform. Two variables with the same name create a duplicate and make the questionnaire inaccessible for testing.
Place the pre-filled variables at the very beginning of the questionnaire: an ordinary question placed before them triggers a warning and the value may not be taken into account.
The way to fill in the values in the link is detailed in Launch.
Last modified on September 14, 2026