How to return all labels from a select multiple question?

DaveK

Hello, 

I'm creating a survey in Survey123 Connect which contains a select multiple question type. I'm using numeric codes for the choice names and standard text labels for the front end selection. I'd like to have these labels returned within a hidden text field so I can then view the labels instead of the codes for future use in dashboards or other apps. I'm using this calculation expression

jr:choice-name(selected-at(${layerlist}, 1), '${layerlist}')

found via this post - https://community.esri.com/t5/arcgis-survey123-questions/select-multiple-list-no-save-label/td-p/1138198

I noticed that there is a choice index number within the expressions which specifies which selection to return. I would like to return all of the select multiple selections and not just a single choice. Is it possible to return all of the choices? If so what would I input in the choice index section of the expression? Any help is appreciated.

Thanks, 

AO_FR_ADMIN

Hi ! For anyone looking for a solution, I found one that is convenient, can be reproduced with relative ease and doesn't need to copy multiple time the choices.

It uses a combination of javascript and excel function.

Principle:

The principle is to concatenante the names and labels in intermediate variables, using the excel TEXTJOIN function.

The javascript function builds a dictionnary from the 2 arrays, and loop through the select_multiple answer to return the list of labels.

Step 1: Concatenate the names and labels in variable

• Create two variable (name_list, label_list), in the calculation Field, use the excel TEXTJOIN function to concatenate the values in the "choices" worksheet with commas, and encapsulate the concatenation with '.
• Be careful, the list should be the same size.
• Make sure that the names and labels do not contain commas or quote marks
• Set the bind::esri:fieldType to null 

=CONCAT("'", TEXTJOIN(",", TRUE, choices!B2:B7), "'")

Step 2: Create the javascript function in connect

Copy the following code in a new javascript function in Survey123 Connect.

function returnMultipleLabels(ans, names,labels){
	var ans_arr = ans.toString().split(',');
    var names_arr = names.split(',');
    var labels_arr = labels.split(',');
    var res = [];

    // Create a dictionary to map names to labels
    var nameToLabelMap = {};
    for (var i = 0; i < names_arr.length; i++) {
        nameToLabelMap[names_arr[i]] = labels_arr[i];
    }

    // Iterate over ans_arr and get corresponding labels from the dictionary
    for (var i = 0; i < ans_arr.length; i++) {
        if (nameToLabelMap.hasOwnProperty(ans_arr[i])) {
            res.push(nameToLabelMap[ans_arr[i]]);
        }
    }

    return res.join();
}

 

Step 3: Retrieve the labels in the final field

In the final field, call the javascript function with the following parameters: select_multiple answer, names concatenation, labels concatenation.

pulldata('@javascript', 'myFunctions.js', 'returnMultipleLabels',${mySelectMultipleQuestion},${choice_name_list},${choice_label_list})

Depending on the size of the list, you might want to increase the bind:esri:fieldLength parameter.

Result:

As you can see, one of the advantages is that it keeps the selection order:

Considerations:

• I haven't tested with large lists, but I'd be careful regarding performances
• Javascript function are not supported for public survey
• You can use this method with several langages, you would need to add an intermediate variable to concatenate the labels in the other language and then use an additionnal field using pulldata("@property", 'language') and a if condition to store the labels in the correct language.
• You could also adjust the script to have a different separator: just add the separator in the join() method.

Test_SelectMultiple.xlsx