Single Select

Allow respondents to choose one option from a list of choices

The Single Select question type (also called Multiple Choice Single) allows respondents to select exactly one option from a predefined list of choices.

Configuration

Basic Properties

type TSurveyMultipleChoiceSingleElement = {
  id: string;                    // Unique identifier
  type: "multipleChoiceSingle";  // 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
  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: "yes", label: { default: "Yes" } },
  { id: "no", label: { default: "No" } },
  { id: "maybe", label: { default: "Maybe" } }
]

Requirements:

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

Shuffle Options

Randomize the order of choices to reduce bias:

• none (default): Display choices in the order defined
• all: Randomize all choices
• exceptLast: Randomize all except the last choice (useful for “Other” or “None of the above”)

Display Types

Control how options are presented:

• list (default): Show all options as radio buttons
• dropdown: Show options in a dropdown/select menu (useful for long lists)

Use Cases

Simple Yes/No

{
  id: "recommend",
  type: "multipleChoiceSingle",
  headline: { default: "Would you recommend us to a friend?" },
  required: true,
  choices: [
    { id: "yes", label: { default: "Yes" } },
    { id: "no", label: { default: "No" } }
  ]
}

Multiple Options

{
  id: "department",
  type: "multipleChoiceSingle",
  headline: { default: "Which department do you work in?" },
  required: true,
  choices: [
    { id: "sales", label: { default: "Sales" } },
    { id: "marketing", label: { default: "Marketing" } },
    { id: "engineering", label: { default: "Engineering" } },
    { id: "support", label: { default: "Customer Support" } },
    { id: "other", label: { default: "Other" } }
  ],
  shuffleOption: "exceptLast"
}

With “Other” Option

Provide a free-text option for responses not in your list:

{
  id: "learn_about",
  type: "multipleChoiceSingle",
  headline: { default: "How did you hear about us?" },
  required: true,
  choices: [
    { id: "google", label: { default: "Google Search" } },
    { id: "social", label: { default: "Social Media" } },
    { id: "friend", label: { default: "Friend or Colleague" } },
    { id: "other", label: { default: "Other" } }
  ],
  otherOptionPlaceholder: { default: "Please specify..." },
  shuffleOption: "exceptLast"
}

Dropdown for Long Lists

Use dropdown display for many options:

{
  id: "country",
  type: "multipleChoiceSingle",
  headline: { default: "What country are you from?" },
  required: true,
  displayType: "dropdown",
  choices: [
    { id: "us", label: { default: "United States" } },
    { id: "uk", label: { default: "United Kingdom" } },
    { id: "ca", label: { default: "Canada" } },
    { id: "au", label: { default: "Australia" } },
    // ... many more countries
  ]
}

Randomized Options

Reduce order bias with shuffling:

{
  id: "favorite_feature",
  type: "multipleChoiceSingle",
  headline: { default: "What's your favorite feature?" },
  required: false,
  choices: [
    { id: "feature_a", label: { default: "Feature A" } },
    { id: "feature_b", label: { default: "Feature B" } },
    { id: "feature_c", label: { default: "Feature C" } },
    { id: "none", label: { default: "None of the above" } }
  ],
  shuffleOption: "exceptLast"
}

Best Practices

1. Keep choices mutually exclusive: Each option should be clearly distinct
2. Use 2-7 choices when possible: Too many options can overwhelm respondents
3. Consider dropdown for 10+ options: Improves mobile experience with long lists
4. Add “Other” for unknown responses: Let respondents provide alternatives
5. Shuffle when testing preferences: Reduce position bias in A/B testing
6. Keep “Other”/“None” last: Use shuffleOption: "exceptLast" to maintain context
7. Use clear, concise labels: Each choice should be easy to understand at a glance

Accessibility

• Radio buttons provide clear single-selection semantics
• Keyboard navigation works with arrow keys
• Screen readers announce the total number of options
• Required fields are properly labeled for assistive technologies

Related Question Types

• Multi Select - Allow multiple selections
• Rating - For satisfaction or agreement scales
• NPS - For Net Promoter Score