---
generated_by: surveylegend-page-markdown
title: Text Box Question | SurveyLegend
description: This guide explains how the Text Box question collects short
  written answers and how its input format and acceptable range settings work.
canonical: https://www.surveylegend.com/user-guide/text-box/
---

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# Text Box

The Text Box is one of the most common survey fields. It is used to collect short answers from participants in text form.

If you need respondents to give longer answers, for example more than a few words, use the [Comment Box ](https://www.surveylegend.com/user-guide/comment-box/)feature instead.

What is your job title?

Short answer

Text Box questions are best for short, focused answers that should stay easy to scan and export.

## Settings

After adding a Text Box question to your survey, click or tap on it to activate edit mode and access the settings panel.

You can customize the Text Box field to collect the short text answers that fit your questionnaire.

Field type Text Box

- [Answer is required](https://www.surveylegend.com/user-guide/text-box/#answer-is-required)
- [Instructions for respondents](https://www.surveylegend.com/user-guide/text-box/#instructions-for-respondents)
- [Enable picture for question](https://www.surveylegend.com/user-guide/text-box/#enable-picture-for-question)
- [Input format](https://www.surveylegend.com/user-guide/text-box/#input-format)
- [Acceptable range](https://www.surveylegend.com/user-guide/text-box/#acceptable-range)

Answer is required

### Answer is required

Require respondents to type an answer before they can continue or submit the survey.

Read more about when you should or should not [make answering compulsory ](https://www.surveylegend.com/user-guide/demand-required-answer/).

Instructions for respondents

Always visible instructions

### Instructions for respondents

Use instructions when respondents need examples, formatting help, or extra context before typing their answer.

Enable picture for question

Add redirect link for picture

### Enable picture for question

Add a picture under the question when a visual cue helps explain what kind of short answer you expect.

Input format

### Input format

Choose whether the text limit should count characters or words. This helps keep short-answer data consistent.

Acceptable range

### Acceptable range

Set minimum and maximum limits for the text response. Let respondents know about the limit so they can answer correctly.

**Tip**

If you set a minimum or maximum text length, mention it in the question or instructions so respondents know what is expected.