Configure your slider question

Every setting on a slider question, also known as a visual analogue scale, and what each one does to what the respondent sees.

A slider question, also called a visual analogue scale, or VAS, asks for a value on a range. It has more settings than most question types, and each one changes what the respondent sees.

Min and max value

The ends of the range. Zero to 10, or zero to 20, or whatever the instrument specifies.

For a validated instrument, use its range rather than a rounder one. Changing the range changes what the score means.

Min and max label

Text giving the ends meaning, such as whether 1 means bad or good.

If both are left empty, no description shows on the scale, which is fine for a scale respondents already know and confusing for one they don't.

Step value

How big each jump is. On a 0 to 10 scale:

Step value 1 lets the respondent pick 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.
Step value 2 lets them pick 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10.

Show min and max values

Whether the numbers at each end are displayed.

Whether the respondent sees their current value in a tooltip while dragging the handle.

Showing it helps precision, and hiding it suits instruments where a felt response matters more than a considered number.

Next steps

Other question types with their own settings: ICD questions and file uploads.