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Editing questions in Library

  • December 22, 2022
  • 8 replies
  • 506 views

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Hello,
I'm quite new to Qualtrics and trying to work out whether it's possible to edit blocks/questions that are in the library.
We are building a survey that will be used throughout the year. However, at the different times of the year, the answer/block that students get on answering the same question will be slightly different depending on the time of year (i.e. the question remains the same throughout the year, but the 'answer' they get changes depending on what events are going on in the year.)
I want to prebuild the answers into the library, so that they don't have to be recreated from scratch all the time. However, there may be small changes that need to be made every now and then to the answers. Can these changes be made in the library?
Otherwise, it seems we have to edit the 'answer' in the survey itself and then save that new answer to the library, while removing the previous answer? This might get a bit fiddly.
Or, would anyone have any other ideas/suggestions for how best to manage this?

Thank you,
Maria

8 replies

MatthewM
Level 6 ●●●●●●
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  • Level 6 ●●●●●●
  • 1069 replies
  • January 3, 2023

Hi marmat ,
I haven't used the Question Library feature much, but I don't know of any way to edit a version of a question that is saved to a Qualtrics Library. It seems like a missed opportunity.
I don't know of a good workaround beyond what you described. Are you using the same survey throughout the year, or is this same question/block used in different surveys/projects? If you're using a single survey then my only additional recommendation would be to use display logic on the answers you're hiding, instead of deleting them, so you don't lose the data and can add them back in at a later point if you need to.


dipeshsingh
Level 2 ●●
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  • Level 2 ●●
  • 61 replies
  • January 3, 2023

Hi marmat ,
Yes, You can edit library survey. However, if you want to use same survey questions throughout the year. Why don't you create a project and call library survey as "reference" in survey flow. This will increase re-usability of your library survey. Checkout below link for more help:
https://www.qualtrics.com/support/survey-platform/survey-module/survey-flow/advanced-elements/reference-surveys/


dipeshsingh
Level 2 ●●
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  • Level 2 ●●
  • 61 replies
  • January 3, 2023

https://community.qualtrics.com/XMcommunity/discussion/comment/53513#Comment_53513Hi marmat ,
Yes, You can edit library survey. However, if you want to use same survey questions throughout the year. Why don't you create a project and call library survey as "reference" in survey flow. This will increase re-usability of your library survey. Checkout below link for more help:
https://www.qualtrics.com/support/survey-platform/survey-module/survey-flow/advanced-elements/reference-surveys/


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  • Author
  • 2 replies
  • January 17, 2023

Thank you MatthewM and dipeshsingh for your tips... I will try out your suggestions.


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So how do you actually edit an existing library question? Should be easy, yet can’t figure it out. And if I edit the question, will it auto-update all instances where it’s been used in surveys?


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  • 3 replies
  • January 3, 2025
KatherineS wrote:

So how do you actually edit an existing library question? Should be easy, yet can’t figure it out. And if I edit the question, will it auto-update all instances where it’s been used in surveys?

Same question


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  • Level 6 ●●●●●●
  • 241 replies
  • January 6, 2025
Bexs wrote:
KatherineS wrote:

So how do you actually edit an existing library question? Should be easy, yet can’t figure it out. And if I edit the question, will it auto-update all instances where it’s been used in surveys?

Same question

@Bexs you can’t edit the question once in library unfortunately, whilst some other library elements such as graphics can be and will automatically update across surveys.  The workarounds described in this post above are the best methods I am across.  

 

If it’s about editing the question once you have added it into a survey, then yes you can edit the question once it’s in a survey (which then you can resave into library for next time) - however the exception here is if it’s a Qualtrics Expert approved question which is standard (not custom created) that cannot be edited once added into a survey, apart from some field options.


heatherkelly
Level 2 ●●
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  • Level 2 ●●
  • 6 replies
  • January 6, 2025
Bexs wrote:
KatherineS wrote:

So how do you actually edit an existing library question? Should be easy, yet can’t figure it out. And if I edit the question, will it auto-update all instances where it’s been used in surveys?

Same question

 

I have the same question too - I just want to update a few things on a list of destinations, but can’t find any way other than OP described. Joining the thread!