Most “list your…” questions turn into a single messy paragraph. “1) this, 2) that maybe?, 3. also this - and probably this too.”
Open List turns that paragraph into structured data from the start. Each entry becomes its own data point - easier to tag, count, cluster, or feed into analysis.
When to Use
Use Open List when you need multiple separate items, not a paragraph:
- Top N lists - “What are your top 3 priorities?”
- Feature requests - “List features you’d like to see”
- Pain points - “What challenges do you face?”
- Competitive analysis - “What other products did you evaluate?”
- Goals - “What are you hoping to achieve?”
If the options are predefined, use multiple choice. If you need statistics and comparison, use ranking. Open List is for collecting unknown items you’ll analyze later.
Configuration
Single Line
For short items. Keywords, feature names, priorities. Respondents add items, then drag to reorder them by importance.
Multi-line
For when each item needs explanation, but you still want separate entries. Pain points with context, detailed feedback, stories. Sorting works with multi-line too - the example below has it off.
Configuration Options
- Minimum items - Require at least X entries before proceeding
- Maximum items - Cap at X entries. No cap if omitted
- Multi-line - Single-line for short phrases, multi-line for paragraphs
- Sortable - Let respondents reorder items after adding them
- Placeholder text - Guide respondents on what to write in each entry
Output Format
Open List exports as a clean array:
["Improve page load speed", "Add dark mode", "Better mobile experience"]If sorting is enabled, the array reflects the respondent’s final order. Each entry is already separated. No parsing.
When It Fails
Some respondents will ignore the structure and write one long sentence with commas instead of adding separate items. You can’t fully prevent this, but clear placeholder text helps. Compare “Add item” with “Write one challenge per entry, with details” - the second sets better expectations.
If clean separated data is critical, use a predefined list with multiple choice or ranking instead.
Open List is especially useful before you have predefined options. Use it in early research to discover language and themes, then convert recurring responses into structured multiple choice or ranking questions in later surveys.