> 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/mark-a-survey-as-active.md).

# Mark a Survey as Active

Surveys must be marked as **Active** before they can be attached to program activities or used to collect responses. The status page allows you to transition a survey between Draft, Active, and Inactive states.

## Survey Status Lifecycle

* **Draft** — The survey is being designed. Questions and settings can be freely edited. The survey cannot be attached to program activities.
* **Active** — The survey is available for use. It can be attached to program activities and used to collect responses. Some fields become read-only.
* **Inactive** — The survey is no longer available for new attachments, but existing response data is preserved and included in reports.

## Activate a Survey

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

#### Navigate to the Toggle Status Page

From the survey detail page, click **Mark as Active** in the progress panel. Or, after completing the Permissions step, PEARS directs you to the status page automatically.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Review and Confirm

PEARS displays a confirmation message. Review that all sections are complete:

* General information is filled in.
* At least one question has been added (required if the survey is shared).
* Permissions have been configured (if sharing).

Click **Confirm** to activate the survey.

{% hint style="warning" %}
**CAUTION:** Once a survey is active and has collected responses, its questions can no longer be modified. Ensure all questions are finalized before activating.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

## Deactivate a Survey

To prevent a survey from being attached to new program activities while preserving existing data, mark it as **Inactive**:

1. Open the survey detail page.
2. Click **Mark as Inactive** in the progress panel.
3. Confirm the status change.

{% hint style="info" %}
**TIP:** Inactive surveys and their response data are still included in reports. Surveys that are already attached to program activities can still be used to collect responses.
{% endhint %}

## Revert to Draft

If a survey has no responses and is not attached to any program activities, you can revert it to **Draft** status for further editing:

1. Open the survey detail page.
2. Click **Mark as Draft** in the progress panel.
3. Confirm the status change.