Matrix of Dropdown Menus

Matrix dropdown questions display a grid where each cell contains a dropdown menu. They’re useful for collecting structured data across multiple items and attributes.

When to Use

Matrix dropdown questions are ideal for:

• Multi-attribute ratings - Rate items on multiple criteria
• Complex data collection - Structured information grid
• Detailed preferences - Item × attribute combinations
• Scheduling - Time slots, availability

Adding a Matrix Dropdown Question

1. Click Add Question in the survey editor
2. Select Matrix of Dropdown Menus
3. Add row items
4. Add column attributes
5. Configure dropdown options per column

Configuration Options

Row Items

Items being evaluated:

Example:

• Product A
• Product B
• Product C

Column Attributes

Different aspects to rate:

Example:

• Quality
• Value
• Ease of Use

Dropdown Options

Each column can have different options:

Rating scale:

• Excellent
• Good
• Average
• Poor

Frequency:

• Daily
• Weekly
• Monthly
• Never

Custom options:

• Specific choices per attribute

Different Options per Column

Configure unique dropdowns for each column:

Row	Quality	Price Range	Usage
Item A	[Excellent ▼]	[$0-50 ▼]	[Daily ▼]
Item B	[Good ▼]	[$51-100 ▼]	[Weekly ▼]

Default Selection

Set initial values:

• Placeholder text
• Pre-selected value
• “Select…” prompt

Required Response

Options:

• All cells required
• At least one per row
• Specific columns required

Best Practices

Grid Size

Keep manageable:

• 3-6 rows
• 2-4 columns
• Maximum ~20 cells total

Too large?

• Split into multiple questions
• Reduce attributes
• Use different question type

Clear Labels

Rows:

• Concise item names
• Consistent format
• Obvious differences

Columns:

• Clear attribute names
• Short headers
• Understandable without context

Consistent Dropdowns

Where possible:

• Same scale direction
• Similar number of options
• Logical ordering

Mobile Considerations

Matrix dropdowns can be challenging on mobile:

• Test thoroughly
• Consider alternatives
• Keep grid small

Advanced Features

Column-Specific Options

Different dropdowns for different attributes:

Column: "Quality"
Options: Poor, Fair, Good, Excellent

Column: "Price Satisfaction"
Options: Too Low, Just Right, Too High

Column: "Would Recommend"
Options: Yes, Maybe, No

Skip Logic

Route based on selections:

• If any cell = “Poor” → show follow-up
• If all cells = “Excellent” → skip to thank you

Display Logic

Show matrix conditionally:

• Only if previous question answered
• Based on selected items elsewhere

Piping

Reference selections:

You rated {{Product_A_Quality}} for Product A's quality.
What influenced this rating?

Scoring

Assign values for analysis:

• Excellent = 4
• Good = 3
• Average = 2
• Poor = 1

Calculate totals and averages.

Analyzing Results

Data Structure

Each cell generates a data point:

Response	Item	Quality	Price	Usage
1	Product A	Good	$51-100	Daily
1	Product B	Excellent	$0-50	Weekly

Aggregate Analysis

Per cell:

• Distribution of selections
• Most common choice
• Comparison across items

Per row:

• Item profiles
• Best/worst performers

Per column:

• Attribute patterns
• Cross-item comparison

Visualization

Heat map:

• Color-coded grid
• Quick pattern identification

Bar charts:

• Compare items per attribute
• Compare attributes per item

Tables:

• Detailed counts
• Percentages

Cross-Tabulation

Analyze relationships:

• Items with similar profiles
• Correlation between attributes
• Segment differences

Common Use Cases

Product Comparison

Rate each product on the following attributes:

              | Quality | Value | Design |
|-------------|---------|-------|--------|
| Product A   | [▼]     | [▼]   | [▼]    |
| Product B   | [▼]     | [▼]   | [▼]    |
| Product C   | [▼]     | [▼]   | [▼]    |

Options: Excellent, Good, Fair, Poor

Vendor Evaluation

Evaluate each vendor:

              | Price    | Quality  | Delivery |
|-------------|----------|----------|----------|
| Vendor 1    | [▼]      | [▼]      | [▼]      |
| Vendor 2    | [▼]      | [▼]      | [▼]      |
| Vendor 3    | [▼]      | [▼]      | [▼]      |

Price: Very Competitive, Competitive, High, Very High
Quality: Excellent, Good, Acceptable, Poor
Delivery: Early, On Time, Delayed

Schedule Availability

Mark your availability:

              | Morning | Afternoon | Evening |
|-------------|---------|-----------|---------|
| Monday      | [▼]     | [▼]       | [▼]     |
| Tuesday     | [▼]     | [▼]       | [▼]     |
| Wednesday   | [▼]     | [▼]       | [▼]     |

Options: Available, Preferred, Unavailable

Feature Importance

For each feature, indicate importance and satisfaction:

              | Importance | Satisfaction |
|-------------|------------|--------------|
| Dashboard   | [▼]        | [▼]          |
| Reports     | [▼]        | [▼]          |
| Mobile App  | [▼]        | [▼]          |

Importance: Critical, Important, Nice to Have, Not Needed
Satisfaction: Very Satisfied, Satisfied, Dissatisfied, Very Dissatisfied

Budget Allocation

Indicate budget and timeline for each project:

              | Budget     | Priority | Timeline |
|-------------|------------|----------|----------|
| Project A   | [▼]        | [▼]      | [▼]      |
| Project B   | [▼]        | [▼]      | [▼]      |
| Project C   | [▼]        | [▼]      | [▼]      |

Budget: <$10K, $10-50K, $50-100K, >$100K
Priority: High, Medium, Low
Timeline: Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4

Matrix Dropdown vs. Other Types

vs. Rating Matrix

Matrix Dropdown	Rating Matrix
Categorical options	Numeric scale
Different options per column	Same scale all columns
More flexible	Simpler to complete

vs. Multiple Dropdowns

Matrix Dropdown	Separate Dropdowns
Compact grid	Takes more space
Compare easily	Independent questions
Complex data	Simple data

Mobile Optimization

Challenges

• Small screen for grid
• Many touch targets
• Hard to see context

Solutions

• Keep grid small (max 3×3 on mobile)
• Test touch targets
• Consider stacked layout
• Use responsive design

Alternative Approaches

For mobile-heavy audiences:

• Split into separate questions
• Use different question type
• Simplify grid

Troubleshooting

High Drop-off

Grid may be:

• Too large (reduce)
• Too complex (simplify)
• Confusing (improve labels)

Poor Data Quality

Issues:

• Random selections
• Same answer everywhere
• Missing cells

Solutions:

• Reduce grid size
• Clearer instructions
• Required validation

Mobile Issues

• Test on devices
• Simplify grid
• Use stacked layout
• Consider alternatives

Confusing Results

• Column labels unclear
• Options don’t fit attribute
• Data hard to interpret

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Related articles:

• Matrix/Rating Scale Questions
• Dropdown Questions
• Question Types Overview