Building Charts with Survey Data

This guide outlines how to create charts and tables for different question types using the search bar and response formulas.

Basic Pre-visualization Steps 

1. In Alchemer Survey,

• Build your Questions
• (Recommended) Add a question alias 
• Collect responses

2. In Alchemer Dashboard,

• Make sure your survey is added as a Survey Source 
• In the Chart Builder, select your survey model. 

Building Charts from Radio Button Questions

Outcomes: Column chart, table, or donut chart

1. Add Required Fields
In the search bar, add the following:

• Response Distribution (a formula that automatically counts the number of responses)
• Question Label - Question IDorQuestion Text - Question ID 
  You can either type these directly into the search bar or select them from the list on the left.
  Then click Go.

2. Default Display
A column chart will appear automatically for radio button questions. These questions display in the format:

• Question Label - Question IDor
• Question Text - Question ID

3. Options

• Click View as Table to switch to a table format
• Change the chart type to a Donut Chart
• To remove null values, add this to the search bar:
  Question Label - Question ID != {Null} and press Go

4. Customize the Chart

• Edit the Title, Description, and Axis Labels as needed

Examples

Building Charts for Checkbox Questions

Outcomes: Column chart or table

1. Add Required Fields
In the search bar, add the following:

• Survey Name
• count Question Label: Answer Option 1 - Question ID
• count Question Label: Answer Option 2 - Question ID
  (Add each answer option individually using the "count" prefix.)

You can type these into the search bar or select them from the list on the left.
Then click Go.

2. Explanation

• Each checkbox answer option appears as a separate field in the data model.
• You must add every option manually to the search bar.
• Prefix each answer option with “count” to count the number of responses.
• Survey Name is used as a grouping attribute and can be removed later.

3. Default Display
A column chart will appear automatically.

4. Chart Options:

• View as Table
  Switch to table view if preferred.
• Group Y-Axes
  Click on a y-axis, select Group > {Name of another y-axis} to group data.
• Edit Y-Axis Titles and Position
  Adjust position and update titles as needed.
• Hide X-Axis
  Go to:
  Edit Chart > X-axis (pencil icon) > Advanced Settings > Axis Settings > Show/Hide Axis and Show/Hide Axis Name.
• Customize Chart
  Update Title, Description, and other formatting options.

For for information on editing charts, see these documents.

Examples

Building Charts for Dropdown Menu Questions

Outcome: Column Chart, Table, or Donut Chart

1. Add Required Fields
In the search bar, include:

• Response Distribution (a formula that automatically counts the number of responses)
• Question Label - Question IDorQuestion Text - Question ID

You can either type these directly into the search bar or select them from the list on the left.
Then click Go.

2. Question Format
Dropdown Menu questions will display in the format:

• Question Label - Question ID
• orQuestion Text - Question ID

3. Default Display
A column chart will appear automatically.

4. Chart Options:

• View as Table
  Switch to a table view if preferred.
• Change Chart Type
  Switch from column chart to Donut Chart.
• Remove Null Values
  Add the following to the search bar and click Go:
  Question Label - Question ID != {Null}
• Customize the Chart
  Edit the Title, Description, and Axis Labels as needed.

For for information on editing charts, see these documents.

Examples

Building a Chart With Rating (Likert Scale) Questions

Outcome: Column Chart, Table, or Donut Chart

1. Add Required Fields
In the search bar, enter:

• Response Distribution (a formula that automatically counts the number of responses)
• Question Label - Question IDorQuestion Text - Question ID

You can type these directly into the search bar or select them from the list on the left.
Then click Go.

2. Question Format
Rating (Likert Scale) questions will display in the format:

• Question Label - Question ID
• orQuestion Text - Question ID

2. Default Display
A column chart is generated automatically.

Chart Options:

• View as Table
  Switch to a table format if preferred.
• Change Chart Type
  Select Donut Chart for an alternative view.
• Remove Null Values
  Add this to the search bar and click Go:
  Question Label - Question ID != {Null}
• Customize the Chart
  Update the Title, Description, and Axis Labels as needed.

For for information on editing charts, see these documents.

Examples

Building a Chart With Radio Button Grid Questions 

Outcome Options:

1. Table displaying all row headers

2. Column Chart or Pivot Table for individual row headers

(1) To Display a Table of All Row Headers

Steps:

1. In the search bar, add the following:

• Response ID
• Each individual row from the grid in the format:
  Row Header 1 - Question ID, Row Header 2 - Question ID, etc.

You can type these manually or select them from the list on the left.
Then click Go.

2. Explanation:

• Each row header in a Radio Button Grid question appears as a separate element in the data model.
• You must add each row option individually to the search bar.
• The Question Label or Question Title will not appear in the data model.

3. Example:

• Question: What is your size for the following articles of clothing?
• Question Alias: Sizes
• Question ID: 6
• Column Headers: XS, S, M, L, XL
• Row Headers: Sweater, Skirt

• In the data model, these appear as:
• Sweater - 0006
• Skirt - 0006
• Each field contains one of the column header values (XS–XL)

(2) To Chart a Single Row Header

Steps:

1. In the search bar, add:

• Response Distribution
• One row header from the question in the format: Row Header - Question ID

2. Then click Go. A column chart will appear automatically.

Chart Options:

• Exclude Null Values
  Add: Row Header - Question ID != {Null} to the search bar and click Go

• Change Chart Type:

  • To Donut Chart

  • To Pivot Table

• Customize the Chart:
  Edit Title, Description, and Axes Labels as needed

Examples

This guide outlines how to create charts and tables for different question types using the search bar and response formulas.