Mask Field contains the 'template' of the expected response. Depending on the Question Type this field is used to tell the Survey program what format the response will be in. The 'H' () button to the right of the Mask field offers users hints of frequently used mask values for the selected question type. Users can either select a mask value by clicking on the 'H' button, the selected value will be placed in the Mask field, and then the value can be modified, or users can type a mask value directly into the Mask field. In the latter case, if the mask value is incorrect for the question type, users will not be able to leave the question screen without correcting the mask value. A mask value of '9' indicates a numeric values (digit placeholder), and 'A' stands for a character. Thus, 99 means the answer has to be a tow-digit number and 'A4' means the answer is 4 characters long. The following is a list of masks that correspond to the listed question types.
Question TypeMasks under Description
Select OneAUTO-SELECTED,
LIST,
DROPDOWN		AUTO-SELECTED is the default value. LIST indicates a set of radio buttons. DROPDOWN indicates a combination box. If the archivist does not chose one of the non-default values, the default will be used. This means, then, that the Survey program will choose to display the pick items either using a list or a dropdown box -- depending on the number of pick items in the picklist. The convention for the Survey program is: If the number of pick items is equal to or greater than 15, then a dropdown box is used; otherwise, a list. The number, 15, is programmed into the Survey program, the instrument super user cannot change it but, the survey team can change it for the archivists, if needed.
Text Entry'A' + number, e.g., A30; or
999-999-9999 (phone number); or
999-99-9999 (SS number); or
99999 (zip code); or
99999-9999 (zip with extension)
  • If the mask is 'A + number', it means a character field. The number must be positive. If the number is less than 80, the survey program will supply a line of text for the response. If the number is greater than 80, the survey program will supply a text box for the response.
  • If the mask is not 'A + number', only the listed values may be used without alteration.
    • Numeric Entry 999999 (integer)
    999,999 (integer w/ commas)
    $999,999 (integer w/ dollar sign)
    $999,999.99 (integer w/ dollar sign & two decimal places)
    99999999.99 (floating point w/ two decimals)
    99,999,999.99 (floating point w/ commas & two decimal points)
    99-99-99.9 (latitude value)
    999-99-99.9 (longitude value)    		The last two formats (latitude and longitude) cannot be altered by users.

    Otherwise, the other values may be altered. For example, an hourly wage may be stated as $99.99 or a five-digit response as 99999.

    Date EntryMDY, MY, M, or Y'M' = month, 'D' = day, and 'Y' = year.
    Other formats such as DMY or MD are not allowed
    Internal Function999999, 99999999.99, A+number, MDY, MY, M, or Y Integers, characters, and date formats may be chosen from the 'H' button. The length of the numbers (' 9's) can be changed. For example, 99 is allowed.
    Slider Entry999999, 99999999.99A series of ' 9's representing the length of a 'sliding scale'. For a scale of 1-10, use 10 ' 9's in a row. For a scale of 1-5, use only five 9's in a row.