> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://support.pears.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://support.pears.io/plan/surveys/add-a-custom-question.md).

# Add a Custom Question to a Survey

Learn how to add a custom question to a survey in PEARS.

If the Question Library does not contain a suitable question, you can create a custom question directly within a survey. Custom questions can include formatted text, images, and configurable response options.

{% hint style="info" %}
**TIP:** The PEARS Team recommends using existing library questions when possible to save time and ensure consistency.
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{% stepper %}
{% step %}

#### Navigate to Surveys

From the PEARS homepage, hover over the **Plan** menu in the top navigation bar and click **Surveys**.
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#### Open the survey

Click the survey title to open it. If your survey is not active, click the **x** next to the **Status** filter to show all surveys.
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#### Go to the Questions page

Click **Questions** in the progress panel to open the questions page.
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#### Click Add Question

Click the **Add Question** button. The Question Library opens.

![Screenshot: The Add Question dialog with the Search question library box, the Author, Question or Text and Question Type filters, one library result with its add button, and the Add Custom Question link beside the Close button](https://2560412328-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Ff0820LrBGQ9ZA8SC4BR1%2Fuploads%2F1l3VlwrjayTnmm8OGJlH%2Fsurvey-question-library-add-custom-question.png?alt=media)
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{% step %}

#### Click Add Custom Question

At the bottom of the Question Library window, click **Add Custom Question** to open the custom question form.

![Screenshot: The survey Questions page with a new custom question form open, showing Question or Text, Question Type set to Multiple Choice (Single Selection), the Question Text editor, the Alternate question text for post or follow-up survey editor, Field name for reports, and Response Options with the first option open to show Option Text, Numeric Value and the image drop zone, above Add new option and the Save Question button, with the Progress panel on the right](https://2560412328-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Ff0820LrBGQ9ZA8SC4BR1%2Fuploads%2FNXgPC8Mt10lkdpPlgE8U%2Fsurvey-custom-question-response-options.png?alt=media)
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#### Choose Question or Text

Select whether the item is a **Question** (collects responses) or **Text** (provides instructions or supplemental information without responses).
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#### Select a Question Type

Choose the type of question from the dropdown:

* **Text-based types** — Open-ended text responses.
* **Graphable types** — Multiple choice, rating scales, and other types that can be charted in reports.
* **Demographic types** — Automatically generate answer options and must use corresponding question types for proper PEARS calculations.

{% hint style="info" %}
**TIP:** Graphable question types allow PEARS to generate visual charts and summary statistics from the response data.
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{% step %}

#### Enter the question text

Type the question text in the text box. Use the formatting tools (Bold, Italic, Underline) as needed.

* Optionally add an image by clicking the image icon. Include alt text so screen reader users can understand the content.
* For pre/post surveys, add alternate question text to change the tense (e.g., "Now that you have finished the program...").
* Optionally set a **Field name for reports** to control how the question displays in exports.
  {% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Add response options (if applicable)

For multiple choice or rating scale questions, configure the response options:

* Enter the **Option Text** **\***.
* Enter a **Numeric Value** **\*** for each option. PEARS uses this value in reports.
* Optionally upload an **image** for visual response options.
* Optionally check **Specify a “correct” response for this question.** and then mark the correct answer for knowledge-based questions.

Click **Add new option** to create additional response options. Questions with response options need at least two.
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#### Link to indicators (if applicable)

If you have permission to add metrics to questions, the form shows **Indicator** and **Metric** fields. Select the indicator, then the metric the question measures. Include exactly one "Unique Identifier" question type if using the "Responses by Matched ID" export feature.
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#### Save the question

Click **Save Question** to add the custom question to your survey.
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{% hint style="warning" %}
**NOTE:** Custom questions should be edited immediately after creation. Once a custom question has been added to other surveys, editing may become unavailable.
{% endhint %}