How to Add a Description of Selected Data (e.g., Question Name, Skips, Filtering) to a Table's Footer

This article describes how to go from a standard table...

...to a table that automatically adds descriptive footer text based on selected questions or a partial question name. In this example, Q8 only asked of males was added to the footer:

This rule allows for the addition of descriptions that are relevant only for certain questions. For example, when a question is not shown to all respondents this rule can be used to insert a description of the relevant part of the sample whenever that question is shown in a table.

You can do this individually for specific questions using Method 1 below or in bulk using Method 2.

Requirements

If updating questions in bulk (Method 2), the information about which descriptive text should be included with each question is entered into a simple Excel file. You can select which file contains your footer information at the time the script is run. The file should contain two columns:
- The first column should be called "Question Name" and should contain some text from the label of the question. You can find the labels in the Question field of the Variables and Questions tab.
- The second column should be called "Footer Text" and should contain the footer message that should be shown on tables or charts that have this question selected.

Method 1

1. Select your table.

2. In the toolbar go to Automate > Browse Online Library > Modify Footers > Description of Selected Data (e.g., Question Name, Skips, or Filtering).

3. Either use the Choose a question drop-down or the Enter all or part of question name text field.

4. Enter the desired Footer text.

5. OPTIONAL: Repeat steps 3 and 4 to add descriptive text for another question.

6. Press OK.

Method 2

1. In the toolbar, go to Automate > Browse Online Library > Modify Footers > Add Descriptions of Selected Data (e.g., Question Name, Skips, or Filtering).

2. Select the file with the question labels and their new footer text. See the Requirements section for details about the file formatting.

3. Click Open

After running the QScript, whenever a question whose name contains the text from the first column is shown in a table or chart, then the corresponding text from the second column will be added to the footer.

Technical Details

The text entered into the "Question Name" column will be used to match the descriptive information to the questions in your project. It is important to note the following points to make the best use of this QScript:

Question names don't have to match exactly and this offers some flexibility if you rename and make duplicate questions in your project.
You should enter question names that each only match one question in your project to avoid a description being added for the wrong question. For example, if you specify descriptive text for the question Q2. Gender by typing the text "Q2" and there are also questions named Q20., Q21., etc, then the descriptive text will be applied incorrectly to these other questions. The better choice would likely be "Q2." Including the period will distinguish it from "Q20."
When making duplicates of questions in your project, ensure that their names still match the text entered for this script.
It is best to make sure that each of the question names entered in the file match at least one question in the project.
The question names and text can always be modified later on by selecting the Rules tab below a table, selecting the name of the rule, and then selecting Edit Rule.