Insert special symbols in a survey in ArcGIS Survey123 Connect

Summary

When creating a survey in ArcGIS Survey123 Connect, special symbols such as emoticons and emojis can be added to create a visually appealing survey. Adding special symbols simplifies the look of a survey by replacing excessive words or sentences with a single symbol that depicts its meaning. Special symbols can be added to the labels in a survey, or in a conditional question where the special symbols displayed are dependent on the previous answer. This capability can be used to quickly validate data or display the status of data using visuals.

This article describes two ways to add special symbols to a survey in ArcGIS Survey123 Connect.

Procedure

Add special symbols to the label

1. In ArcGIS Survey123 Connect, open the survey's XLSForm.
2. Create the survey question.
   1. In the survey worksheet, in the type column, select select_one and specify the choices list name. In this example, the choices list name is list_rate.
   2. Specify the values in the name and label columns. In this example, the question is named 'rate_service' and labeled 'Rate our service.'

3. Insert emojis in the label of the choices list.
   1. In the XLSForm, click the choices tab to open the choices worksheet.
   2. In the list_name column, specify the choices list name created in Step 2, and specify the values in the name column. The 'poor', 'average', and 'good' names are used in this example.
   3. In the label column, copy the desired emojis from any external source and paste them into the column. In this example, three emojis are copied and pasted into the label column to represent the 'poor', 'average', and 'good' ratings.

Note:
ArcGIS Survey123 Connect allows the usage of special symbols from an external source in the label column.

4. Save the XLSForm.

The emojis are displayed as the answer choices in the survey.

Add special symbols in a conditional question

1. In ArcGIS Survey123 Connect, open the survey’s XLSForm.
2. Create the primary question.
   1. In the survey worksheet, in the type column, select text.
   2. Specify the values in the name and label columns. In this example, the question is named 'damage_assist' and labeled 'Have you been assisted?'

3. Add the conditional statement.
   1. In a new row, in the type column, select calculate and specify the values in the name and label columns.
   2. In the calculation column, enter the following expression:

if(${<primary_question_field_name>}="yes" , "<emoji_for_yes>" , "<emoji_for_no>")

In this example, the if(${damage_assist} = "yes" , "✅" , "❌") expression is set to return the check mark emoji when the answer to the damage_assist question is yes, otherwise, it returns the cross mark emoji.

4. Create the subsequent question and label the question dynamically. Refer to ArcGIS Survey123: Dynamic labels for more information.
   1. In a new row, in the type column, select text and specify the values in the name column.
   2. In the label column, enter the following expression:

<Question_label> ${<previous_field_name>}

In this example, the ${my_emoji} formula is added to the label to refer to the previous question.

5. Save the XLSForm.

In the survey, the check mark emoji is displayed in the subsequent question when the answer to the primary question is yes (image on the left) and the cross mark emoji when the answer is no (image on the right).