Creating survey templates & learning question types

Last updated August 3, 2026

Objective

Creating Survey Templates in Recur allows you to build a standardized question framework once and reuse it across multiple events or voting periods. This guide explains how to create a template, configures all six available question types, sets up Low Score Alerts, and launches a live survey from a saved template.

How to Create a New Template

  1. Open the Surveys app from your Recur dashboard.

  2. In the left navigation sidebar, select Templates (located directly under Surveys).

  3. Click Create New Template in the upper right-hand corner.

  4. Enter a Template Name (e.g., "Annual Meeting Feedback") and an optional description.

  5. Click Create Template.

Question Types & Configurations

Inside the template editor, click Add Question to choose from six flexible question formats:

1. Short Text

  • Use Case: Best for brief open-ended responses, such as asking for general feedback.

  • Setup: Enter your prompt (e.g., "How was your overall experience?"). Respondents get a small text box to type a two-to-three sentence answer.

2. Multiple Choice

  • Use Case: Restricts respondents to picking exactly one option out of a defined list.

  • Setup: Enter your question (e.g., "Who was your favorite speaker?") and add candidate/option choices.

3. Multiple Select

  • Use Case: Allows respondents to select one or more options.

  • Advanced Rules:

    • Min/Max Selections: Define bounds (e.g., require at least 5 selections, capped at 15) to prevent users from checking every box.

    • "Other" Option: Toggle the "Other" option to display a text field line where respondents can type custom entries.

4. Rating (Scale 1–5)

  • Use Case: Evaluates satisfaction on a 1-to-5 numeric scale.

  • Low Score Alert Feature: Toggle on Enable Low Score Alert and set a threshold (e.g., $\le 2$). If a respondent submits a low score, Recur automatically emails an administrative alert so you can reach out directly.

5. Ranking / Score Ordering

  • Use Case: Requires respondents to drag and drop list items into a prioritized vertical order.

  • Setup: Input items (e.g., strategic association goals). Respondents reorder items from highest to lowest priority on their screen.

6. Matrix / Likert Scale

  • Use Case: Rates multiple items (rows) using the exact same evaluation scale (columns).

  • Setup:

    • Rows (Items to Rate): Enter items like Speaker Quality, Venue, and Food.

    • Columns (Scale): Define rating steps (e.g., Poor, Average, Good, Excellent).

    • Supports Low Score Alerts.

Settings & Privacy Controls

Click Settings to establish response criteria:

  • Respondent Tracking: Require Respondent Name and Email Verification so you know who completed the submission.

  • Blind Ballot: Toggle on Blind Ballot if you need all responses stripped of personal identification.

Launching a Live Survey from a Template

  1. Navigate back to Surveys > Templates.

  2. Find your saved template (e.g., Annual Meeting Feedback) and click Use Template.

  3. The system converts the template into an active survey.

  4. Set your Start and Close Schedule, copy the Share Link, or send direct invitations.

Cautionary Notes

  • Template vs. Live Survey Editing: Modifying questions inside a master template does not alter active surveys that were previously cloned from it.

  • Low Score Alert Setup: Ensure your account's primary email address is verified in settings to receive immediate alert notifications when negative feedback is submitted.

Tips for Efficiency

  • Interactive Testing: Always click Preview at the top of your template editor to verify how drag-and-drop ranking items and Likert matrix grids render on screen before launching a survey.