Product updates

Here’s features and improvements we’ve recently released.

Clearer question types: Single answer and Multi answer are now separate

  • Enhancement

We’ve made a change to how Choice and Grid questions work in Online Surveys, to make survey building clearer — and to protect your data.

Previously, Choice and Grid questions were each a single question type, with a toggle in the question editor to switch between single answer (radio) and multi answer (checkbox). That made it easy to miss what you were creating — and in some cases, changing this setting while a survey was open could lead to response data issues.

Now, we’ve split both Choice and Grid into two distinct question types:

  • Single answer (radio)

  • Multi answer (checkbox)

You’ll see these options upfront in a redesigned Add item menu, so it’s simpler to pick the right question from the start.

Add item menu

Why it helps:

  • Clearer question types up front make it obvious whether respondents can choose one answer or multiple.

  • Reduces accidental switching between single and multi answer, and prevents changes that could corrupt response data while a survey is collecting responses.

  • The redesigned menu creates space for more new question types and options as we expand the builder.

A small change that makes survey setup safer and easier — and available now in all surveys.

File upload is here – collect PDFs and images with your survey responses

  • New feature

Need respondents to share supporting documents, screenshots, or photos? You can now add a File upload question to your survey.

With this new question type, respondents can attach a PDF or an image directly as part of their response — making it easier to gather evidence, examples, and real-world context alongside your standard survey answers.

Example of a File upload question in a survey

What it means for you:

  • Gather richer evidence.

  • Reduce follow-up emails by getting everything you need at the point of response.

  • Support more use cases such as application-style surveys and research submissions.

A simple way to collect more than words — and available now in all surveys.

Help shape our new Slider question

  • Feedback

We’re adding a new Slider question type to Online Surveys, and we’d love your feedback before we release it.

If you create surveys in Online Surveys, this is your chance to try it early and help us make it clear, accessible, and easy to use.

Example of the new Slider question

What’s coming

The Slider question lets respondents drag to select a value on a scale (e.g., 0–10 for ease, 0–100% for percentages, or £0–500 for currency). As a survey builder, you’ll be able to configure exactly how the slider looks and feels to respondents.

Why we’re asking for your help

We want to make sure the Slider is easy to set up and is clear and quick for respondents to answer on desktop and mobile.

How you can take part

We’re looking for users to take part in a 45-60 minute session with our User Experience designer, Lauren. During the session you’ll have a go at setting-up a slider question and talk us through your experience as you do it. Sessions with take place from the 11th – 20th February 2026.

Your feedback will help us understand what works well and where we can improve.

If you would like to take part, you can sign-up here or contact lauren.obrien@jisc.ac.uk.

Introducing Insights – see how your survey is performing

  • New feature

Want to know how many people started your survey, how long they took, or where they dropped out? 

The new Insights page gives you instant answers. You’ll now see key stats like views, starts, completion rate, drop-out analysis, device usage and responses over time. You can use this data to help you make better decisions about your survey design, timing, and distribution.

Features available on the Insights tab

Why it helps:

  • Spot trends and take action while your survey is still open

  • Inform future survey design and outreach

  • Understand your audience better

All in one place — no spreadsheets, no digging. – and now available in all surveys created after 22 Aug 2025.

No more lost progress – surveys now auto-resume

  • New feature

We’ve made it easier for respondents to complete your surveys, even if they close their browser halfway through.

Now, when someone returns to your survey using the same browser, they’ll automatically resume where they left off — no links or codes needed.

If they’d rather start fresh, they can do that too using a new option right within the survey.

An example of a survey respondent choosing to start again.

Why it helps:

  • Fewer abandoned responses and less frustration.

  • Respondents can continue where they left off, up to 30 days later.

  • Fully automatic – no action required by you or your respondents.

  • Still works alongside the Finish later option for cross-device return.

Better for respondents, better for response rates – and now available in all surveys.

The new Ranking question has arrived!

  • New feature

We’ve added a brand new drag-and-drop Ranking question to Online Surveys – making it easier for your participants to show what matters most.

With this question, respondents can simply drag items into their preferred order, giving you clearer insights into their priorities without the friction of creating Grids with validation.

An example of a Ranking question

Why you’ll love it:

  • More intuitive for respondents to answer.

  • Drag and drop works seamlessly on desktop and mobile.

  • Fully keyboard accessible, supporting inclusive survey design.

  • Automatically adopts your survey’s custom theme colours for a consistent look and feel.

Perfect for gauging preferences, priorities, or levels of importance — and now available in all surveys.