Exporting a Questionnaire

The Export feature allows you to generate your questionnaire in a variety of formats for review, collaboration, testing, analysis, and integration with other systems. Depending on the selected export format, you can produce printable questionnaires, technical documentation, metadata files, machine-readable schemas, or SPSS files for statistical analysis. Some export formats allow you to customize the exported content by selecting:

• Language
• Data Collection Mode
• Section
• Question Scope

These options help you generate exports that are tailored to specific audiences and use cases.

Note: Before exporting, VoxDash validates your questionnaire to identify any issues that may affect the exported file.

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Export Validation

When you start an export, VoxDash automatically validates the questionnaire. Validation may return either Warnings or Errors.

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Warnings

Warnings indicate potential issues that do not prevent the questionnaire from being exported. Although the export can continue, it is recommended that you review and resolve warnings to ensure the exported questionnaire is complete and accurate. Examples may include:

• Missing translations
• Unused variables
• Incomplete metadata
• Optional configuration issues

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Errors

Errors indicate issues that prevent the questionnaire from being exported. You must correct all errors before the export can continue. Examples include:

• Invalid questionnaire logic
• Missing required properties
• Broken references
• Invalid question configurations

Once all errors have been resolved, you can run the export again.

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Respondent Questionnaire (.pdf)

The Respondent Questionnaire generates a clean, print-ready version of the questionnaire exactly as respondents are expected to see it. This version focuses on questionnaire wording and structure without exposing technical implementation details. It is ideal for:

• Client review
• Questionnaire approval
• Printing
• Fieldwork preparation
• Reviewing question wording and flow

Before exporting, select:

• Language
• Data Collection Mode
• Section (optional, if applicable)

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Editable Questionnaire (.pdf)

The Editable Questionnaire exports the questionnaire as a fillable PDF. Unlike the standard respondent questionnaire, this version includes editable form fields that allow reviewers to write comments or complete the questionnaire digitally. This format is useful for:

• Internal reviews
• Stakeholder feedback
• Paper-based testing
• Questionnaire annotation

Before exporting, select:

• Language
• Data Collection Mode
• Section (optional)

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Annotated Questionnaire (.pdf / .docx)

The Annotated Questionnaire is a technical version of the questionnaire intended for survey designers, analysts, and developers. In addition to the respondent-facing content, it includes technical information such as:

• Variable IDs
• Question names
• Logic blocks
• Routing information
• Technical annotations

This format is commonly used for quality assurance, technical review, and project sign-off.

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PDF Format

The PDF version is a print-ready, non-editable document. Best suited for:

• Final approval
• Client sign-off
• Documentation
• Archival

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DOCX Format

The Microsoft Word (.docx) version is fully editable. It is ideal for:

• Review cycles
• Adding comments
• Revision tracking
• Collaborative editing

Before exporting, select:

• Language
• Data Collection Mode
• Section (optional)

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Data Map (.xlsx)

The Data Map exports the questionnaire metadata as an Excel spreadsheet. A Data Map serves as the bridge between questionnaire design and data processing by documenting every questionnaire variable. Typical information includes:

• Variable names
• Question labels
• Data types
• Value labels
• Logic notes
• Metadata

Data Maps are commonly used by:

• Data analysts
• Programmers
• Reporting teams
• Data processing teams

Before exporting, select:

• Data Collection Mode

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SurveyJS Schema (.json)

The SurveyJS Schema exports the questionnaire as a raw JSON schema compatible with SurveyJS. This export contains the complete questionnaire definition in machine-readable format. It includes:

• Questionnaire structure
• Pages
• Questions
• Properties
• Logic
• Validation
• Layout configuration

This format is commonly used for:

• Version control
• Development
• Integration
• Runtime deployment
• Backup and migration

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SPSS Shell (.sav)

The SPSS Shell exports the questionnaire structure as an SPSS data dictionary without respondent data. The file contains:

• Variables
• Labels
• Value labels
• Missing value definitions
• Metadata

This export is useful for analysts who want to prepare syntax, tables, or reporting before fieldwork begins. Before exporting, select:

• Language
• Data Collection Mode
• Section
• Question Scope

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Question Scope

Choose which questions to include in the export.

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All Questions

Exports every questionnaire question.

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Substantive Only

Exports only questions that collect respondent data. Examples include:

• Demographic questions
• Rating questions
• Product usage questions

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Non-Substantive Only

Exports structural questionnaire elements that support survey execution but do not collect substantive survey data. Examples include:

• Routing questions
• Display conditions
• Administrative questions
• Structural questions

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SPSS Data File (.sav / .csv)

The SPSS Data File exports the questionnaire together with synthetic (dummy) respondent data. This export is designed for:

• Quality assurance (QA)
• Pipeline testing
• Data validation
• Dashboard testing
• Report development

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SPSS (.sav)

The SPSS format preserves:

• Variable labels
• Value labels
• Missing value definitions
• Metadata

This is the recommended format for statistical analysis.

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CSV (.csv)

The CSV format exports a flat data file. Unlike SPSS, CSV files do not include embedded metadata such as:

• Variable labels
• Value labels
• Missing value definitions

CSV files are ideal for:

• Data pipelines
• ETL processes
• Importing into third-party applications

Before exporting, select:

• Language
• Data Collection Mode
• Section
• Question Scope

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Use Value Labels

Enable Use Value Labels to export response labels instead of numeric codes. For example: When disabled, the exported file contains only the numeric values.

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Dummy Data Generation

VoxDash can automatically generate synthetic respondent data for testing purposes. Dummy data simulates completed questionnaire responses without using real respondent information. This feature is useful for:

• QA testing
• Data processing validation
• Dashboard development
• Report testing
• Integration testing

Generate Dummy Data Enable Generate Dummy Data to create synthetic responses. Configure the following options: Number of Respondents Specify how many synthetic respondent records should be generated. Save to Dataset Choose whether the generated data should be stored as a dataset within VoxDash. When enabled, VoxDash automatically creates a new dataset and saves the generated records. The dataset then becomes available through the Data Provider for further analysis and testing.

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Choosing the Right Export Format

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Best Practices

To ensure successful exports:

• Validate the questionnaire before exporting.
• Resolve all errors before attempting an export.
• Review and resolve warnings whenever possible to improve questionnaire quality.
• Select the appropriate Language, Data Collection Mode, Section, and Question Scope based on the intended audience.
• Use the Respondent Questionnaire for business and client reviews.
• Use the Annotated Questionnaire for technical reviews and analyst sign-off.
• Export a Data Map for programming and data processing teams.
• Use SurveyJS Schema for development, backups, and version control.
• Generate Dummy Data to test reporting, integrations, and analysis pipelines before collecting live respondent data.

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Summary

The Export feature enables you to generate questionnaires in multiple formats to support every stage of the survey lifecycle, from design and stakeholder review to technical implementation, statistical analysis, and quality assurance. Built-in validation helps identify warnings and errors before export, ensuring the generated files are accurate and ready for their intended use. By selecting the appropriate export format and options, you can efficiently share questionnaires with clients, analysts, developers, translators, and QA teams while maintaining consistency across your survey projects.