Matrix Grid

The Matrix Grid question arranges multiple sub-questions as rows, all sharing the same set of column options. Instead of asking five separate rating questions one after another, you collapse them into one compact table. Respondents can compare items side-by-side as they rate, which often produces more consistent and considered answers.

When to use it

Reach for Matrix Grid when:

• you are rating several items on the same scale (e.g. rate five product features from Poor to Excellent)
• you want to save vertical space and reduce the perceived length of the survey
• comparing items side-by-side is meaningful for the respondent

How to configure it

Open the question in the builder and expand Settings:

• Rows — each row is a sub-question or item to be rated. Add, edit, reorder, or shuffle rows.
• Columns — the shared response options (e.g. "Poor", "Fair", "Good", "Very good", "Excellent").
• Selection type — single select (one column per row) or multi-select (several columns per row).
• Shuffle rows — randomise row order on each load to prevent order bias.
• Required — force an answer for every row before the respondent can continue.

Tips

Warning — Keep matrices to 7 rows or fewer. Longer grids trigger "straight-lining" — respondents stop reading and click the same column for every row just to finish. This contaminates your data and is almost impossible to detect after the fact.

Tip — Label every column clearly. Ambiguous column labels (e.g. using numbers without endpoint labels) lead to inconsistent interpretation across respondents.