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Paste Text — Bulk upload questions

The Paste Text feature allows you to quickly add multiple survey questions by copying and pasting them from a document (e.g., Microsoft Word or Google Docs).


How it works

  1. Draft your questions in a document using bracket syntax (e.g., [multi select]) to specify the question type.
  2. Copy and paste your questions into the Paste text field.
  3. Preview how the questions will appear in the window on the right.
  4. Select “Insert questions” and they will be added to the bottom of your survey.


Supported question types

Most question types follow the same editor rules, and many can be added using different aliases to speed up survey creation.

Available aliases:

  • Single select:
    [single-select]
  • Multi select:
    [multi-select]
  • Ranking:
    [ranking]
  • Dropdown:
    [dropdown]
  • Statement:
    [statement]
  • Matrix:
    [matrix]
  • Open text:
    [open-text] / [text]
  • Form:
    [open-text-form] / [form]
  • Number:
    [number]
  • Opinion scale:
    [opinion-scale]
  • File upload:
    [file-upload] / [file] / [upload]
    ⚠️ Available only when survey source is "Own contacts".
  • Constant sum:
    [constant-sum]
  • Rating:
    [rating]
  • CSAT:
    [csat]
  • NPS:
    [net-promoter-score] / [promoter-score] / [nps]

Note: You can use aliases with or without a hyphen, for example: [single-select] or [single select].

Not supported questions:

  • Image choice:
    [image-choice] / [image]



How to create a question

When creating a question, you must follow the specific rules defined by our Paste text editor. Each question type uses a set of commands, each placed on its own line. Let’s look at the simplest example:

[single-select]  <— question type alias
How old are you? <— title
Under 18 <— 1st choice
18-29 <— 2nd choice
30-49 <— 3rd choice
50-60 <— ...
Above 60 <— ...

In this example, we instructed the Paste editor to create a [single-select] question titled “How old are you?” with the answer choices listed immediately after the title.

Most question types use the same basic set of commands. However, several advanced types require additional rules, including [matrix], [nps], [opinion-scale], [rating] and [csat]. We will walk through each of these in detail below.

Matrix:

[matrix]  <— question type alias
How likely are you to paint the walls in your house with these colors? <— title
Extremely unlikely_Somewhat unlikely_Neither likely nor unlikely_Somewhat likely_Extremely likely <— column names separated by the underscore (_) character
Blue <— 1st row
Green <— 2nd row
Pink <— 3rd row
Beige <— ...
White <— ...

In this example, the critical detail is the columns: they must appear immediately after the question title and be separated by the underscore (_) character.

NPS / Opinion scale / Rating / CSAT: 

[rating] <— question type alias
How would you rate your recent customer experience? (1 - very bad, 6 - excellent) <— title
6 <— scale

These questions follow a common pattern: they display a numbered scale of options for the respondent to choose from. By defining the scale, you determine how many numbered points will be shown. Note that the number of scale points is specific to each scale-type question, so be sure to follow the rules for that question type (you can review these in the question configuration sidebar on the right side of the Build page).


Train AI tools with this prompt

You can quickly create a survey draft using the Centiment AI survey builder or train AI tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude to generate survey drafts in a format compatible with the Centiment Import editor. 

You are a skilled researcher tasked with writing closed-ended, quantitative survey questions in Centiment format.

Initial response
When this prompt is first run, reply only with:
Thanks! Go ahead and describe the survey you’d like me to draft, and I’ll output it in a format that can be pasted into the Centiment Import Editor.

Rules
1. Question types and tags
Use only these tags, enclosed in square brackets: [single-select], [multi-select], [statement], [number], [ranking], [opinion-scale], [matrix], [dropdown]

2. Structure
Place the tag on its own line.
Immediately on the next line, write the question body with no blank lines inside the body.
List each answer choice on its own new line, starting right after the question body.
Leave exactly one empty line between questions to mark a break.
Never number, bullet, or indent questions or choices.

3. Content conventions
Avoid yes/no wording; use single-select or multi-select instead.
Include one or two matrix questions when possible to capture richer data efficiently.
Conclude every survey with single-select demographic items for Age and Gender.
Opinion-scale runs from 1–10; state only the question, not the scale itself.
Ranking questions must instruct respondents that “1” equals highest preference.
Dropdown questions are reserved for long lists, such as the 50 U.S. states.

4. Example format (do not copy verbatim—create new, topic-specific content):

[single-select]
Which Taylor Swift concert tour did you attend?
Lover Tour
Reputation Stadium Tour
1989 World Tour

[multi-select]
Which merchandise items did you purchase at the concert? (Select all that apply)
T-shirts
Posters
Albums
Light Sticks
Hats

[statement]
Now we'll move on to the second part of the survey.

[number]
How many Taylor Swift concerts have you attended in total?

[ranking]
Please rank the following aspects of the concert based on your personal enjoyment (1 being the highest).
Performance Quality
Stage Design
Crowd Interaction
Visual Effects
Setlist Variety

[opinion-scale]
On a scale of 1 (Unlikely) to 10 (Very Likely), how likely are you to attend another Taylor Swift concert?

[matrix]
Please indicate your level of agreement with the following statements about the concert:
Strongly agree_Somewhat agree_Neither agree nor disagree_Somewhat disagree_Strongly disagree
The concert was well-organized
The venue was comfortable and accessible
The duration of the concert was appropriate

[dropdown]
How did you hear about the Taylor Swift concert?
Social Media
Email Newsletter
Friend or Family
Radio
Other

5. Output expectations
Produce only the question blocks—no commentary, numbering, or explanations—and maintain flawless formatting so the survey can be imported directly into the Centiment Import Editor.