Multi Select

Allow respondents to choose multiple options from a list of choices

The Multi Select question type (also called Multiple Choice Multi) allows respondents to select one or more options from a predefined list of choices.

Configuration

Basic Properties

type TSurveyMultipleChoiceMultiElement = {
  id: string;                    // Unique identifier
  type: "multipleChoiceMulti";   // Question type
  headline: TI18nString;         // Main question text (required)
  subheader?: TI18nString;       // Optional descriptive text
  required: boolean;             // Whether response is mandatory
  choices: TSurveyElementChoice[]; // List of options (min: 2)
  shuffleOption?: "none" | "all" | "exceptLast"; // Randomization
  otherOptionPlaceholder?: TI18nString; // Custom "Other" input placeholder
  displayType?: "list" | "dropdown"; // How to display options
  validation?: TValidation;      // Advanced validation rules
  imageUrl?: string;             // Optional image URL
  videoUrl?: string;             // Optional video URL
  isDraft?: boolean;             // Mark as draft
};

type TSurveyElementChoice = {
  id: string;                    // Unique choice identifier
  label: TI18nString;           // Choice text
};

Choices

Define at least 2 choices for your question:

choices: [
  { id: "email", label: { default: "Email" } },
  { id: "phone", label: { default: "Phone" } },
  { id: "sms", label: { default: "SMS" } },
  { id: "mail", label: { default: "Postal Mail" } }
]

Requirements:

• Minimum 2 choices required
• Each choice must have a unique id
• Choice labels cannot be duplicates within the same language

Validation Rules

Control the number of selections allowed:

validation: {
  logic: "and" | "or",           // How to combine multiple rules
  rules: [
    {
      id: "min_selections",
      type: "minSelections",
      params: { min: 1 }          // Minimum selections required
    },
    {
      id: "max_selections",
      type: "maxSelections",
      params: { max: 3 }          // Maximum selections allowed
    }
  ]
}

Available validation types:

• minSelections: Require at least N selections
• maxSelections: Limit to at most N selections

Shuffle Options

Randomize the order of choices:

• none (default): Display choices in the order defined
• all: Randomize all choices
• exceptLast: Randomize all except the last choice

Display Types

• list (default): Show all options as checkboxes
• dropdown: Show options in a multi-select dropdown

Use Cases

Select Multiple Features

{
  id: "interested_features",
  type: "multipleChoiceMulti",
  headline: { default: "Which features are you interested in?" },
  subheader: { default: "Select all that apply" },
  required: true,
  choices: [
    { id: "analytics", label: { default: "Analytics Dashboard" } },
    { id: "reporting", label: { default: "Advanced Reporting" } },
    { id: "api", label: { default: "API Access" } },
    { id: "integrations", label: { default: "Third-party Integrations" } },
    { id: "support", label: { default: "Priority Support" } }
  ]
}

Limited Selections

Restrict the number of selections:

{
  id: "top_priorities",
  type: "multipleChoiceMulti",
  headline: { default: "What are your top 3 priorities?" },
  subheader: { default: "Select up to 3 options" },
  required: true,
  choices: [
    { id: "speed", label: { default: "Performance & Speed" } },
    { id: "features", label: { default: "Feature Set" } },
    { id: "price", label: { default: "Pricing" } },
    { id: "support", label: { default: "Customer Support" } },
    { id: "security", label: { default: "Security" } },
    { id: "ux", label: { default: "User Experience" } }
  ],
  validation: {
    logic: "and",
    rules: [
      {
        id: "min_one",
        type: "minSelections",
        params: { min: 1 }
      },
      {
        id: "max_three",
        type: "maxSelections",
        params: { max: 3 }
      }
    ]
  }
}

With “Other” Option

{
  id: "communication_channels",
  type: "multipleChoiceMulti",
  headline: { default: "How do you prefer to be contacted?" },
  subheader: { default: "Select all that apply" },
  required: true,
  choices: [
    { id: "email", label: { default: "Email" } },
    { id: "phone", label: { default: "Phone Call" } },
    { id: "sms", label: { default: "Text Message" } },
    { id: "slack", label: { default: "Slack" } },
    { id: "other", label: { default: "Other" } }
  ],
  otherOptionPlaceholder: { default: "Please specify your preferred method" },
  shuffleOption: "exceptLast"
}

Randomized Survey

Reduce bias with randomization:

{
  id: "product_aspects",
  type: "multipleChoiceMulti",
  headline: { default: "What aspects of the product do you use regularly?" },
  required: false,
  choices: [
    { id: "dashboard", label: { default: "Dashboard" } },
    { id: "reports", label: { default: "Reports" } },
    { id: "alerts", label: { default: "Alerts" } },
    { id: "api", label: { default: "API" } },
    { id: "none", label: { default: "I don't use any of these" } }
  ],
  shuffleOption: "exceptLast"
}

Required Minimum

Ensure at least one selection:

{
  id: "pain_points",
  type: "multipleChoiceMulti",
  headline: { default: "What challenges are you facing?" },
  subheader: { default: "Select at least one" },
  required: true,
  choices: [
    { id: "onboarding", label: { default: "Difficult onboarding" } },
    { id: "performance", label: { default: "Performance issues" } },
    { id: "bugs", label: { default: "Software bugs" } },
    { id: "support", label: { default: "Lack of support" } },
    { id: "documentation", label: { default: "Poor documentation" } }
  ],
  validation: {
    logic: "and",
    rules: [
      {
        id: "at_least_one",
        type: "minSelections",
        params: { min: 1 }
      }
    ]
  }
}

Best Practices

1. Indicate “select all that apply”: Make it clear multiple selections are allowed
2. Use validation to limit choices: Prevent overwhelming responses with max selections
3. Consider minimum selections: Ensure meaningful responses with min validation
4. Add “None of the above”: Provide an exclusive option when applicable
5. Use clear, distinct labels: Avoid overlapping or confusing options
6. Shuffle to reduce bias: Randomize options in research surveys
7. Keep lists manageable: 5-10 options is ideal; use dropdown for longer lists

Validation Examples

Exactly N Selections

Require a specific number of choices:

validation: {
  logic: "and",
  rules: [
    { id: "min", type: "minSelections", params: { min: 3 } },
    { id: "max", type: "maxSelections", params: { max: 3 } }
  ]
}

At Least N Selections

validation: {
  logic: "and",
  rules: [
    { id: "min", type: "minSelections", params: { min: 2 } }
  ]
}

At Most N Selections

validation: {
  logic: "and",
  rules: [
    { id: "max", type: "maxSelections", params: { max: 5 } }
  ]
}

Accessibility

• Checkboxes provide clear multi-selection semantics
• Keyboard navigation with Tab and Space keys
• Screen readers announce how many options are selected
• Validation errors are announced to screen readers
• Required fields are properly labeled

Related Question Types

• Single Select - For single choice selection
• Ranking - Order options by preference