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How to Capture an "OTHER" Value in a Custom Variable Field

Custom Variables are ideal for storing participant profile data, but they can be limiting when not all responses are known in advance. Often, you may want to include an “Other” option in a question and capture more details about that selection. However, using a Custom Variable directly does not allow you to enable the built-in “Other” option. Capturing the “Other” details typically requires creating a second free-text Custom Variable, which forces you to check two fields to see all participant responses.

This guide shows an alternate approach that allows you to capture all data in a single Custom Variable field.

Steps to Implement:

  1. Create a free-text Custom Variable
    1. This is the field in the participant profile where the data will ultimately be stored.
  2. Create your main survey question
    1. Use a radio button or drop-down question.
    2. List all known responses as options.
    3. Add “Other” as the final choice.
    4. Make the question required.
    5. Do not check the “Enable the ‘Other’ option” choice.
    6. Do not connect this question to a variable.
  3. Capture specifics for “Other”
    1. Add a single-line input question to capture details if “Other” is selected.
    2. Make the question not visible and not required by default.
    3. Add conditional logic so the question becomes visible and mandatory only when “Other” is selected in the previous question.
    4. Do not connect this question to a variable.
  4. Combine responses into a single Custom Variable
    1. Add a second single-line input question.
    2. Make the question not visible.
    3. Connect it to your Custom Variable.
    4. Add logic to populate this field:
      1. If the main question response is not “Other”, copy the selected option here.
      2. If the main question response is “Other” and the free-text question is filled, copy the free-text response here.

This approach ensures all participant responses, whether standard or “Other”, are captured in a single Custom Variable, making reporting and analysis simpler and more streamlined.