> 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

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.
{% endhint %}

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

#### Navigate to Surveys

From the PEARS homepage, hover over the **Plan** menu and click **Surveys**.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### 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.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Go to the Questions page

Click **Questions** in the progress panel to open the questions page.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Click Add Question

Click the **Add Question** button. The Question Library opens.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Click Custom Question

Below the search results in the Question Library, click the **Custom Question** link to open the custom question form.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Choose Question or Text

Select whether the item is a **Question** (collects responses) or **Text** (provides instructions or supplemental information without responses).
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### 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.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}

{% 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** 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.
* Optionally assign a **numeric value** to each option for scoring purposes.
* Optionally upload an **image** for visual response options.
* Optionally mark the **correct answer** for knowledge-based questions.

Click **Add new option** to create additional response options.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Link to indicators (if applicable)

If your organization uses SNAP-Ed indicators, tag individual questions with the indicators they measure. Include exactly one "Unique Identifier" question type if using the "Responses by Matched ID" export feature.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Save the question

Click **Save Question** to add the custom question to your survey.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

{% hint style="warning" %}
**CAUTION:** Custom questions should be edited immediately after creation. Once a custom question has been added to other surveys, editing may become unavailable.
{% endhint %}