Question Matrix Response Type

Last updated: 18 Jun 2025

The Question Matrix response type allows users to create a group of questions that display in a matrix format, whereby each cell within the matrix represents a separate question. To use this response type, define the number of rows and columns you want in your matrix set and give each row and column a label or name. Each column can be a different question type. In the above screenshot, the first two columns are select-one questions, and the third column is a number question.

This response type only works when using Enketo, utilizing the Grid-theme layout. Forms are set to single page layout by default -- to change it, find the "layout" button in the formbuilder toolbar, select "grid-theme", save this change, and redeploy your form to make these changes live.

Enketo supports only up to 10 columns in versions less than 2.8.0, up to 13 including and after 2.8.0.

Create a Question Matrix in the Formbuilder

1. Go to your formbuilder and click on “Add question”

2. Select ‘Question Matrix’

   

3. Click on the gear icon in each column to set the question type.

   

4. Select the question type

5. Add the Column label & response label

   

6. Select the gear icon within ‘Row’ to define the row label

   

Create a Question Matrix in XLSForm

Alternatively, you can also build a Matrix Question in a XLSForm by following the instructions as outlined in the images below:

survey

type	name	label	required	kobo--matrix_list
begin_kobomatrix	M1	Items		assets
select_one yn	Q1	Q1. Which assets do you have at home	TRUE
integer	Q2	Q2. Number of assets	TRUE
end_kobomatrix
survey

choices

list_name	name	label
assets	car	Car
assets	bike	Bike
assets	tv	TV
yn	yes	Yes
yn	no	No
choices

settings

style
theme-grid no-text-transform
settings

This method uses begin_kobomatrix, end_kobomatrix and kobo--matrix_list.

Following the steps above, you should see the question matrix shown in the screenshot below (In Enketo only):

It is also possible to include relevant and constraint conditions within the matrix as follows:

survey

type	name	label	required	kobo--matrix_list	relevant	constraint
begin_kobomatrix	M1	Items		assets
select_one yn	Q1	Q1. Which assets do you have at home	TRUE
integer	Q2	Q2. Number of assets	TRUE		${Q1} = ‘yes’	. > 2
end_kobomatrix
survey