The Matrix question type in SurveySensum lets you ask respondents to evaluate multiple row items (statements) against the same set of column answer options — all within a single compact question. This keeps your survey short while collecting rich, structured data.

Because several items share the same scale, respondents can work through the grid quickly, which improves completion rates and reduces survey fatigue.

Example:  "How satisfied are you with the following aspects of our service?" with rows for Speed, Quality, and Price, rated on a scale from Very Dissatisfied to Very Satisfied.

Matrix questions are ideal when you want to compare multiple items on the same dimension

How to Access the Feature

1. Go to the Build section of your survey.

2. Click on Editor from the left sidebar.

3. Click on Add next Question.

4. In the question type list, select Grid.
   

Once added, you can change the Grid Type (Simple Grid, Bipolar, Rank Order, Text Entry, or Dropdown) from the question settings panel on the right.

1. Simple Grid

The default matrix type. Each cell in the grid shows either a radio button (Single Answer) or a checkbox (Multiple Answer). Use this when you want respondents to select from a fixed set of column choices for each row item.

When to use it: You want clean, structured selections — for example, "Where did you look for product information?" with rows for Apple products and Samsung products, and columns for different platforms.

How the answer input works

• Single Answer: Radio buttons — the respondent can pick only one column per row.

• Multiple Answer: Checkboxes — the respondent can pick more than one column per row
  

2. Bipolar

The Bipolar grid displays two opposing labels (one on the left, one on the right) with a row of radio buttons in between. Respondents indicate where they stand on the scale between the two extremes.

When to use it: Attitude or perception measurement — for example, "Rate this product" with columns ranging from Ugly to Stylish, or Difficult to Easy.

Bipolar-specific settings

• Number of Columns: Use the + and – controls to set how many radio buttons appear between the two anchor labels. The default is 4.

• Show Column Name: Toggle ON to display column header labels above the scale. Toggle OFF to keep the scale clean with only the two anchor labels visible.

Bipolar does not support Choice-level Visibility or Randomise Choice. Only Randomise Statement is available for this grid type.

3. Rank Order

The Rank Order grid provides a numeric input field in each cell so respondents can type a rank number for each row-column combination. Use this when you want respondents to prioritise or order a set of items.

When to use it: Priority or preference tasks — for example, "Where did you look for information about the following products?" with rows for iPhone, MacBook, Samsung Galaxy, etc., and columns for different platforms.

Rank Order-specific settings

• Min Rank: The lowest rank value respondents can enter (fixed at 1).

• Max Rank: The highest rank value allowed. Set this to match the number of columns so respondents assign a distinct rank to each.

Set Max Rank equal to the number of columns to ensure respondents give each option a unique ranking.

4. Text Entry

The Text Entry grid places an open text box in each cell. Respondents type their own response rather than selecting from pre-set options. This is useful when you need free-form or numerical data for each row-column intersection.

When to use it: Collecting quantities, amounts, or short open-ended answers — for example, "Which features have you used in the following payment apps?" with rows for Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm, etc.

Text Entry-specific settings

• Content Type: Choose between Text (any free text) or Number (numeric input only). Selecting Number ensures only digits can be entered.

Use Content Type: Number when collecting quantities, frequencies, or monetary values so you can analyse the data numerically.

5. Dropdown

The Dropdown grid shows a dropdown menu inside each cell instead of radio buttons or checkboxes. Respondents pick from the dropdown list for each row-column combination. This is especially useful when your answer options are long or when you want a compact look.

When to use it: Benefit or feature applicability tracking — for example, "Which benefits apply to the following credit cards?" with rows for Amex Platinum, HDFC Regalia, etc., and columns for Airport Lounge Access, Fuel Surcharge Waiver, etc.

Dropdown-specific settings

• Dropdown Type:

• Single Selection — the respondent can pick only one option per cell.

• Multiple Selection — the respondent can pick more than one option per cell.

• Edit Answer Options: Click this link to open the Edit Answer Options dialog. This lets you customise the dropdown choices independently for each column.
  

• You can add, remove, Bulk Edit or reorder the options for Airport Lounge Access separately from Fuel Surcharge Waiver, for example.
  

• 
  

Use Edit Answer Options when different columns need different dropdown values — for example, one column might offer 'Yes / No' while another offers 'Not used / Used occasionally / Used regularly'

Add Description Text

Toggle this ON to add a supporting description below your question text. Use this to provide context, instructions, or clarifications that help respondents understand how to answer the matrix.

For matrix questions, a description is especially helpful when the scale is not self-explanatory — for example, 'Rate each item from 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest)'.

Mark This Question as Mandatory

When enabled, respondents cannot proceed to the next page or submit the survey without answering this question. Use this when a matrix question is critical to your research objective and cannot be skipped.

Always Hide Question

Hides this question from the respondent entirely. Use this when the matrix is carrying logic or piped data behind the scenes but should not be visible on the survey form.

Add Image / Video

Upload a supporting image (JPEG, JPG, or PNG, under 4 MB) or video (MOV, MP4, or GIF, under 10 MB) to appear alongside the question. Useful when the matrix evaluates visual stimuli — for example, asking respondents to rate features of a product shown in a photo.

Answers (Single Answer / Multiple Answer)

This setting is available for the Simple Grid type. It controls how many column options a respondent can select for each row.

• Single Answer: Radio buttons. The respondent can select only one column option per row. Use this for exclusive choices — for example, rating satisfaction on a 1–5 scale.

• Multiple Answer: Checkboxes. The respondent can select more than one column option per row. Use this when multiple selections are valid — for example, 'Which platforms did you use to research this product?'
  

Mutually Exclusive Choice

Available for Simple Grid. When enabled, selecting one specific column option automatically deselects all other columns the respondent may have already picked for that row. This is useful when you have a 'None of the above' or 'Not applicable' option in your columns that should override other selections.

Enable Mutually Exclusive Choice when one of your column options is 'None of the above' or 'Does not apply' — selecting it should clear any previously selected options.

View Options

Controls how the matrix is displayed on the respondent's screen. Three options are available for Simple Grid and Dropdown:

• Grid: Displays the full matrix table layout. This is the standard view and works well on desktop screens.
  

• Best for: Surveys you know will be taken on a desktop or laptop
  

• Accordion: Shows one row at a time in an expandable accordion. This is more mobile-friendly when your matrix has many rows.
  

• Best for: Mobile-first surveys, matrices with a large number of rows (8 or more), or questions with long statement text that would make rows very tall and unwieldy in grid view