It would be a lot easier and could do it in app without any js if you set a maximum value like five for each item. You could have different maximums per item.

Thanks MSobotta. I do have maximum values set for each item. I started simple by just setting them all to 4. But I’m still not sure how to end up with, for example, Laptop 1, Laptop 2, and Laptop 3 in a carry forward for the second question if someone puts 3 in the laptop box.

The key is using display logic for each question based on the number from the first question. You load up the side by side with all of the items. Follow?

Thank you, MSobotta ! I didn't think about re-typing out the statements in the second question and then using display logic on each item to refer back to the previous question's responses in the constant sum. Thank you! That worked!

https://community.qualtrics.com/XMcommunity/discussion/comment/41585#Comment_41585Well we you don't want to rely on JS (because you don't want to spend time playing around with JS) you come up with some pretty creative solutions.
Me personally I might do something off of loop and merge to make it a little less intimidating to the user, but in most cases the big matrix would be fine.