Randomize Responses: Variable Value

This article will show you how to use a hidden variable to manually create an order

Background

You may have the need to create a random order within a variable and use that to randomize a response list. The instructions below will show you how. 

Instructions

Step 1: Creating the Variable

1. Program a 'Single Variable' without a response list
   
   • See article: Add a Variable
2. Add a logic a 'Logic Block Page' in a location before the random order will be used. 
   • See article: Add a Logic Block Page
   • Using the formula syntax, set the variable to the order you need. Please note, the order must be a comma delimited list wrapped in quotes. Example: You have a question with a response list containing 5 items. You want the order to always be: 
     1-3-4-5-2.
     So you would set your variable to:
     "1, 3, 4, 5, 2"

Step 2: Using the order variable within the question

1. Program your question with the corresponding response list
2. Access the 'Overall Question Settings' 
   • See article: Overall Question Settings: Accessing
3. Turn on the 'Custom Response Order' toggle. 
   1. Select 'Variable Value' from the drop-down
   2. Select the name of the 'Single Variable' you created
   3. Choose between:
      • Apply to 'Ordinals' (Position of the Codes) 
      • Apply to 'Names' (exact Code numbers)
4. You are done! Make sure to test.