Desktop User Guides > Author > Creating questions and responses > Question type overview > Creating database questions
 
Creating database questions
You can work with hierarchical data in the form of database questions. You can create single response, multiple response, and loop questions whose category lists are generated by connecting to an external database.
Notes
Database questions require that the appropriate drivers are installed. For example, a database driver that is available on a client workstation might not be available on the UNICOM Intelligence Interviewer - Server Admin. You must ensure that the database drivers used to create questions are also available on the server.
Databases that are available on one network might not be available on another network. You must be aware of the availability of a database when you work on multiple networks. The database that is used to create a database question must be available on the same network as the Interviewer Server.
You must ensure that the DSNs, used to setup the connection strings on the local workstations, point to the same database or file on the Interviewer Server.
The default error handler for database connections monitors whether the connection string returns any categories. If the question is not required to be answered, the error handler logs the error and the respondent will be automatically advanced to the next question. If the question must be answered, the error handler presents an error to the user and does not allow the user to continue with the survey. Script writers are encouraged to write custom scripts to handle these errors. All connections must be checked before you start the interview, and then respondents are asked to return when the survey is ready.
When an Excel spreadsheet does not include a named range, the sheet name can be used as the database question’s table name. When you create database questions in Author, both the named range and the sheet name can be used as the database question's table name.
Translations are not provided for database items. You can create a different set of database questions for each language you want to use.
Using Microsoft Excel as a data source for database questions
To use Microsoft Excel as a data source for database questions, you must have a defined range on one worksheet. To define a range, complete the following steps:
1 Highlight all data rows and columns in the spreadsheet, and then do one of the following:
Microsoft Excel 2003: Click Insert > Name > Define.
Microsoft Excel 2007: Click Formula > Defined Names > Define Name > Define Name.
2 In the Define Name dialog, type the name of the highlighted range. Name is the Table Name specified in the Database Settings dialog. The ODBC driver interprets the spreadsheet as a data table with column headings.
3 Click OK.
For more information, see Working with database questions from Excel spreadsheets.
See also
Creating single response database questions
Creating multiple response database questions
Creating database question loops
Working with database questions from Excel spreadsheets
Configuring translations for database questions
Database Table Preview dialog
Filter dialog
Question type overview